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Dontae Walker, former Mississippi State RB, passes away
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Dontae Walker, a standout running back for Mississippi State in the late 1990s and early 2000s, has passed away, the program announced on Saturday.
Walker joined the Bulldogs in 1999, a highly-touted in-state recruit. As a freshman, he made an immediate impression, totaling 384 yards and 3 touchdowns on 76 carries.
He ran for career highs of 795 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2000, adding 548 yards and 5 scores in 2001. In 2002, his college career hit a downturn as he posted just 148 yards on 57 carries despite 5 touchdowns before leaving the team after 8 games.
Despite personal struggles, he ultimately graduated college in 2013 after serving 4 years of a 25-year prison sentence for possession of cocaine and marijuana.
All told, Walker finished his career with 1,875 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns on 417 carries. His 22 career touchdowns ranked among the top 5 in program history at the time of his departure.
One of his most memorable games came in the 2000 Egg Bowl at Ole Miss, when he ran for 14 carries and 121 yards, scoring 3 times. His career-best game was on Sept. 30, 2000, a 156-yard effort against Florida in a 47-35 win.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
