Eli Drinkwitz reveals Johnny Walker Jr. was battling an injury prior to Music City Bowl

Missouri senior EDGE Johnny Walker Jr. ended his college career on a high note in the Music City Bowl against Iowa. Walker recorded two sacks in the win over the Hawkeyes, despite being injured entering the game.

Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz revealed Walker was dealing with an injury after the Tigers’ 27-24 win. He encouraged Johnny Walker Jr. to not play in the game, but he insisted he was going to.

“He’s got an injury. And I thought he wouldn’t play,” Eli Drinkwitz said. “In fact, I told him if he was my son I wouldn’t let him play. But he said, ‘No, I want to play. And we’ll get it fixed afterwards if we have to get it fixed and if not we’ll keep going.’

“And for him to play four quarters tonight, on an injury, when he could have said, ‘Nah, I’m going to tap out, I’m going to go get ready for the draft and the combine and the East-West Shrine Game,’ man, you just don’t have that as much anymore. I love you buddy.”

The two sacks in the Music City Bowl upped Walker’s total to 9.5 on the season. He ended 2024 with 44 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. He also had four quarterback hurries and three forced fumbles.

Walker really played well the second half of the season and without a doubt improved his draft stock. He is also set to appear in the East-West Shrine Game.

“Yea, you know, there was a point, I think midway through the season, where Johnny and I met, and he was pressing so hard and trying to put so much into it. You know, it was really about just relaxing, trusting and believing in himself,” Drinkwitz said. “He and [defensive ends] coach [Brian] Early spent some extra time. … And he’s just starting to breakthrough. They were chipping him tonight.

“Every time I looked up I’m like dadgum, they’re trying to trip chip him, they’re trying to do this. That sack he had on the goal line, he rushed right through that offensive tackle and got up underneath him and just pushed him all the way to the quarterback. … Just really proud of him and really excited for him to get invited to the East-West Shrine Game.”