P. J. Walker

Walker's final game of the 2020 campaign was marked by some controversy after, while his team was leading the Seattle Dragons 32-23, he mistakenly kneeled on fourth down at his own 21-yard-line with three seconds remaining on the clock - officials either failed to notice or refused to deal with Walker's palpable timing error and declared the game over, thus depriving Seattle the opportunity to score a touchdown and potential three-point conversion to tie the game. The league quickly admitted the officiating mistake but declared the result would stand, although that decision was essentially rendered moot due to the season's subsequent cancellation.

On March 20, 2020, the 2020 XFL season was canceled following growing concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic. Walker finished the 2020 season with a 5-0 record, 1,338 passing yards and 15 touchdowns with four interceptions. He led the league in both passing touchdowns and passing yards. He was placed on the reserve/other league list after signing with the Panthers on March 24.

On March 25, 2020, Walker signed a two-year contract with the Carolina Panthers, reuniting him with former Temple head coach Matt Rhule.

On August 31, 2019, Walker was waived by the Colts and signed to the practice squad the next day, only to be released two days later.

In October 2019, Walker was drafted by the newly-formed XFL for the 2020 season. The Pittsburgh Steelers called the XFL office to ask if they could sign Walker for one week ahead of their matchup with the Baltimore Ravens in October 2019, as Walker was a similar player to Ravens starting quarterback Lamar Jackson. The XFL blocked the signing, as Walker was already under contract with the league. Before the 2020 XFL Draft on October 15, 2019, he was allocated to the Houston Roughnecks.

On September 1, 2018, Walker was waived by the Colts and was signed to the practice squad the next day. He spent time on and off the Colts practice squad before being released on December 26, 2018, but was re-signed three days later. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 13, 2019.

As of June 2017, Walker is the Owls all-time leader in wins by a starting quarterback (28), passing yards, passing touchdowns, completions, attempts, total yards and total touchdowns. Walker led the Owls to their first conference title in 49 years (2016) and their first ever back-to-back bowl appearances in school history (2015 and 2016).

Walker was rated the 32nd best quarterback in the 2017 NFL Draft by NFLDraftScout.com.

On May 3, 2017, Walker was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent. He was waived on September 2, 2017 and was signed to the Colts' practice squad the next day. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Colts on January 1, 2018.

Walker's final year at Temple was a record-setting season for the senior. In the season opener against Army, Walker became Temple's all-time passing yards leader (10,273 yards). Walker would again lead the Owls to a bowl game at the end of the season, following a 10-4 overall record (7-1 in conference); Walker and the Owls would lose the Military Bowl 26-34 against Wake Forest. Additionally, Walker would receive numerous honors, accolades and watch-list nominations in the 2016 season, including American Athletic Conference Championship Game Most Outstanding Player, CFPA National Player of the Year Watch List, Davey O'Brien Award Watch List, as well as multiple preseason and conference recognitions.

After accepting an athletic scholarship to attend Temple University, Walker played for coach Matt Rhule's Temple Owls team from 2013 to 2016.

Walker's sophomore season did not include as many highlights as his 2013 debut performance; however, Walker did earn career-high completions (29) and pass attempts (49) in a losing effort against Navy in Week 2. Walker was able to secure three honorable mentions during the season (Weeks 1, 2 and 4) and passed for at least 1 touchdown in his first seven games.

In the Roughnecks first game against the Los Angeles Wildcats, Walker tossed four touchdowns, helping the team win a 37–17 victory against the Wildcats. He was named the league's first ever Star of the Week for his performance. After the week five game against the Seattle Dragons, Walker had 1,338 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions.

Phillip "P. J." Walker Jr. (born February 26, 1995) is an American football quarterback for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Temple, and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Indianapolis Colts in 2017. He also played for the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL in 2020, where he led the league in passing yards and touchdowns before it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Walker was born in 1995 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, to parents Tamicha Drake and Phillip Walker Sr. Walker attended Elizabeth High School. During his junior year, Walker threw for 2,168 yards and 18 touchdowns, while going 120-of-189 (63.5 percent) in passing percentage. Following the completion of his high school career, Walker chose to attend Temple University, under head coach Matt Rhule.