The scoreboard at CEFCU Stadium was still illuminated when Walker Eget burst out of the locker room Friday night, riding high from San José State’s 35–28 win over New Mexico. He hugged his family tight, words muffled in the glow of vindication.
After his career-high passing yards (473), completions (36), and rushing yards (19) in the Spartans’ heartbreaking 30-29 loss to Stanford the week before, Friday night’s win, coupled with similar notable numbers, confirmed the senior QB’s story arc is ascending.
Born to Compete: The Eget Family’s Backyard Dynasty
The roots of Walker Eget’s legend trace back to Santa Clarita, California. He was four when he first fastened a flag football belt around his waist. His father, Barrie, doubled as coach. His brothers, Wyatt and Weston, were both fixtures in the backyard, the park, and eventually the high school fields that would serve as the Eget family’s proving grounds.
“Walker’s origin football story started when he was four years old in flag football, playing in the local city leagues,” Wyatt recalled. “He always played quarterback, and then when he started tackle in seventh grade, he didn’t even see the field. By eighth grade, he got thrown in after the coach’s kid got hurt, and he finished the year as QB1.”
The pattern was set early: nothing would be handed to Walker. He’d have to wrestle opportunity into his grasp. By the time he reached West Ranch High School, the youngest Eget brother was ready. Walker’s varsity debut came in his junior year, and he wasted no time rewriting records with 3,250 passing yards and 40 touchdowns, eclipsing Weston’s marks before him.
“Fun fact,” Wyatt added. “Between the three of us, there were six straight years with an Eget starting at quarterback for West Ranch.”
San Jose State quarterback Walker Eget and cornerback Jalen Bainer earned Player of the Week honors for the first time in their careers.
First time since 2019 that San Jose State has had both offensive and defensive honorees in the same week. https://t.co/vWEaQyqjbC
— Nick Urias (@NickUrias_) October 6, 2025
Family isn’t just a subplot in Walker’s story; it’s the engine. His parents competed as collegiate athletes, and his brothers blazed their own Division I trails: Wyatt at UT Martin and Weston at New Mexico State. Competition wasn’t something the Egets talked about; it was the air they breathed.
“From a very young age, Walker was molded by an incredibly competitive environment,” Wyatt said. “Everything in life was a desire to be first, to give 100 percent effort, to do things the right way. We gave him a tough time as kids, tough love, but his perseverance and passion for the game put him in this position.”
What started as a kid stubbornly refusing to do his dad’s drills has come full circle for Walker. The same younger brother who once sat on the grass, declaring, “I don’t do drills,” now spends his days immersed in them, transforming himself into SJSU’s leader under center. The family still jokes about it, but it proves how far Walker has come, from resisting the work to embracing it, ultimately surpassing the brothers who once pushed him.
Walker doesn’t hesitate when asked about the role his family plays in his journey.
“They’re really the reason I’m here,” he said. “My two brothers not only played college ball but also earned their master’s degrees. They motivate me to enjoy the moment, because I know they’d give anything to be in my shoes again. I’m the luckiest son and brother in the world.”
The Setback That Sparked the Comeback
If the Egets forged Walker’s competitive edge, football tested his resilience. He saw the field briefly in 2021, appearing against Western Michigan. Then came the gut-punch: a torn ACL in 2022 during practice, ending his season before it began. In 2023, he sat behind veteran Chevan Cordeiro, waiting, watching, and learning.
“I’ve learned a lot of things,” Walker said. “Probably the biggest is that there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. When I was injured or things didn’t feel the best, there was always something to look forward to, whether it was the next year, or just being at the facility with the guys, or even golfing.”
Golf has become a surprising subplot in the quarterback’s story. Nearly 30 players on the team hit the course, hosting tournaments to build chemistry away from the field.
Naturally, Walker won the 20-man tournament. Wyatt jokes that Walker is “basically a scratch golfer” who could make the San Jose State golf team if he wanted. Fun fact: Walker boasts a nine handicap. He has even bested his offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach on the course.
But if you ask Craig Stutzmann to explain Walker Eget, you’ll first hear a laugh.
“That’s a really hard question,” Stutzmann admitted. “When we first got here, I wasn’t sure. He was kind of goofy, playful. I thought, ‘How’s this guy going to fit in this offense? He can throw, but is he mobile? Is he serious?’ The first time we put him in a game, he almost threw a pick. I thought, ‘Man, I don’t know if this kid can do it.'”
But then came Nevada. The Spartans were floundering, and Stutzmann turned to the keen QB.
“I just said, ‘Walker, go.’ And he freaking did what he had to do,” Stutzmann said. “That’s when it started. The legend of Walker Eget.”
Rooted in Trust, Rising Toward Tomorrow.
At least the Spartan chapter. Since then, what impressed Stutzmann the most was Walker’s unshakable personality. “He’s comfortable with who he is. He’s confident. He’s still the same humble, goofy guy with his clear glasses. And he’s been doing a really good job.”
So far this season, Eget has thrown 1,521 yards and nine touchdowns with only three interceptions, placing him in the top-10 nationally for yards and completions per game (24).
However, the quarterback position demands more than just throws; it demands connection. Walker’s bond with his offensive line is proof of that.
“The O-line, you got to be one with them,” he said. “You literally trust them with your life. And they trust me to make plays. Their job is already tough enough, but if that unit does well, the whole team will.”
That respect flows both ways. During fall camp, as Walker praised the offensive line’s communication and ownership, the linemen walked by during our interview and heckled him: “Love you, Walker,” and “Your smile looks great!”
Last year, he had Nick Nash. This year, he has a plethora of eager receivers ready to step up.
“They’ve gone beyond the playbooks,” Walker said. “They come to us quarterbacks asking how we want to do things. That shows they want it, that it’s more than just a game. You can’t really teach that, it comes from within.”
Redshirt sophomore Danny Scudero has emerged as the favorite, leading the Spartans with 40 catches for 665 yards and four touchdowns. Behind him are redshirt junior Kyri Shoels and redshirt senior tight end Jackson Canaan.
Walker Eget, San Jose State (26-of-30, 351 total yards, 3 TDs, 0 INT, QBR: 92.4)
Eget, who completed his first 13 passes, notched his career-long pass with a 70-yard touchdown delivery in the second quarter as the Spartans posted a 35-28 Mountain West win over New Mexico. pic.twitter.com/nna4UYfXrt
— Manning Award (@ManningAward) October 6, 2025
Despite the 2-3 start to the season, optimism lingers in Walker’s words. “We’re all locked on how we can win the day,” he said. “That’s what you want to see from a championship team.”
He dreams of replicating and surpassing the 2020 Mountain West Championship team. “That’s the biggest thing I want to leave behind,” Walker said. “Helping this team win a Mountain West Championship. San Jose State deserves it.”
Wyatt echoes the sentiment. “Walker hasn’t even peaked yet. He’s a late bloomer, and I believe one of the best quarterbacks in the country. SJSU has something rare: a family environment in the locker room. In today’s era of the transfer portal and NIL, that’s special. I think they’re a championship-caliber team and even a playoff candidate.”
Walker’s rituals are simple: a morning shower on game day, a few songs, some breathing. Nothing flashy, nothing complicated. It fits who he is: steady, grounded, but always ready.
The Spartans may be 2-3 this week, but the season ahead is filled with possibilities. And San Jose State is no stranger to navigating the rocky Mountain West terrain.
When the dust settles, it won’t be the stats or the records that tell the tale of Walker Eget. It will be all the moments that led him here; every pass, every practice, every quiet moment of resilience.
And the rest is still unwritten.
I obviously wish them all the best!
Ironic–Magnet and Steel singer Walter Egan’s name is like 6 degrees of separation. And the receiver’s name is almost mine–Scudero/Scaduto.