No player had more to do with the rise of Buford football than Darius Walker. He was an integral part of the longest winning streak in the state’s high school football history as a running back for the Wolves in the early 2000’s. From 2000-2003, Walker’s Wolves accumulated a record of 58-2, winning their final 45 games, and capturing state titles in 2001, 2002 and 2003. Buford’s winning streak, which remains the state record, would reach 47 the next season. Walker rushed for 5,676 yards and scored 91 total touchdowns in his Buford career, including a single-season state-record 46 touchdowns as a senior while only playing two full four-quarter games. The record of 46 would surpass previous record holder and fellow Hall of Fame inductee Herschel Walker (45). Walker was named the 2003 Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Gatorade All-Classification Player of the Year for Georgia before continuing his football career at Notre Dame. Walker played only three seasons for the Fighting Irish, yet he remains fourth all-time in rushing yards for the storied program with 3,249. His last two seasons each exceeded 1,190 rushing yards and 350 receiving yards. The three-time state champion went undrafted in the 2007 NFL Draft and played two seasons of professional football with the Houston Texans.
