Why Oklahoma CB Kani Walker Said Reunion With Scott Satterfield Will be 'Exciting'

NORMAN — Saturday will double as a reunion for Oklahoma defensive back Kani Walker.

A former Louisville transfer, Walker started his collegiate career at Louisville — and under current Cincinnati head coach Scott Satterfield.

Satterfield also brought his defensive coordinator, Bryan Brown, with him to coach the Bearcats.

Walker played one season under Satterfield and Brown before hitting the transfer portal, where he would eventually end up at Oklahoma.

“It’s gonna be pretty fun, you know? Just seeing them, catching up with them,” Walker said on Tuesday. “I haven’t seen them in a couple years — literally a couple years — so it’s gonna be exciting to watch. It’s gonna be exciting to look forward to.”

Walker played in five games in 2021 at Louisville, and he was appreciative of the chance the staff gave him to immediately contribute as a freshman.

“Honestly they were giving me that opportunity to dominate,” he said. “As soon as I came in there they gave me the opportunity. I wasn’t fully recovering, because I came off an injury in high school and messed up my toe and stuff like that. And once I got right, once I got healthy they gave me every opportunity to work.

“Of course they may see things that I may not see, but they were just kind of preparing me, preparing me for where I’m at right now.”

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So far, Walker’s move to Oklahoma appears to be paying off.

Last year, he played 65 total snaps per Pro Football Focus.

Rotating in behind Gentry Williams, Walker has already played 111 snaps in 2023, a testament to the work he put in during the offseason to hone in on his technique.

In his introduction to college football at Louisville, Walker said he learned about patience and working to get on the field.

“I was pretty raw,” he said. “When it comes to understanding the details of schemes, understanding when to do this or when to do that… I feel like I didn’t learn that my freshman year.

“I also didn’t have that arrogant mindset to where it’s like ‘Oh I should be playing’ You know how freshman can be. I understood I had a lot to learn when it comes to details and scheme and stuff like that.”

Working under OU cornerbacks coach Jay Valai, Walker said he learned how to ask questions to gain a better understanding of the nuances of the position.

Now, Walker hopes he’ll be able to put his improved knowledge on display against his former coaches.

“It’ll probably be pretty interesting, Walker said. “Honestly I want to make every play I can.

“… Of course me and the coaches have a mutual relationship and stuff like that… Honestly I think they might throw a couple targets here and there at me just to check me and stuff like that.”

The entire OU defense will get its chance to take on Satterfield’s Cincinnati offense on Saturday at 11 a.m., as No. 16 Oklahoma will meet the Bearcats in the Sooners’ first trip to Nippert Stadium. The contest will be broadcast on Fox.

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