J. D. Walton

Justin Daniel "J. D." Walton (born March 24, 1987) is an American football center for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Broncos in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Baylor.

Early years
Walton attended Allen High School in Texas, where he was a first-team all-district and first-team all-county offensive lineman. He recorded 79 pancake blocks to lead District 9-5A as senior, as he helped Allen to win the bi-district championship. In his junior year, he was a second-team all-district pick after recording 59 pancake blocks. Walton was a teammate of former Arkansas quarterback Casey Dick.

Considered only a two-star recruit by Rivals.com, Walton was not listed among the top offensive line prospects in the class of 2005. However, he received 14 Division I scholarship offers and eventually picked Arizona State over Colorado State, Iowa State, SMU, and Utah.

College career
After redshirting his freshman year at Arizona State, Walton decided to transfer to his home state and enrolled at Baylor University. Due to NCAA transfer rules, he had to sit out his first year at Baylor.

Finally playing in his sophomore year, Walton started every game at center—one of three Baylor offensive linemen to do so, joining Dan Gay and James Barnard—for the Bears in 2007. He played 911 snaps, most by a Baylor offensive performer. The Bears' offensive line yielded only 21 quarterback sacks, the fewest since 1995.

In his junior year, started all 12 games at center and earned 2008 honorable mention All-Big 12 by the Associated Press. Baylor's line, that also featured Jason Smith, the No. 2 pick of the 2009 NFL Draft, generated 2,349 rushing yards, most at school since 1981, and 29 touchdowns.

Walton entered his senior year as an Outland Trophy and Rimington Trophy candidate. He again started all games for the Bears and has now 36 consecutive starts. Walton was a finalist for the 2009 Rimington Trophy, but eventually lost out to Maurkice Pouncey. However, he was named a 2009 College Football All-American by the Associated Press, the first Baylor center to do so since Aubrey Schulz in 1974.

He was invited to play in the Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine games.

Pre-draft
Walton was rated the No. 1-rated senior center in the 2010 NFL Draft by ESPN analyst Mel Kiper. He drew comparisons to Jake Grove.

Denver Broncos
Walton was selected by the Denver Broncos in the third round (80th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft. He was the second center to be picked in the draft, after first rounder Maurkice Pouncey. Walton signed a four-year contract on June 17, 2010. On September 30, 2012, Walton suffered a dislocated ankle during a game against the Oakland Raiders, and was subsequently placed on injured reserve.