Brandon Walton Bio
Brandon Walton (born March 18, 1998) is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He stands 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighs around 300 pounds, giving him the frame typically associated with NFL left tackles. After going unselected in the 2020 NFL Draft, Walton signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent and has since worked his way through several organizations as a practice squad contributor and rotational swing tackle.
Walton played college football at Florida Atlantic University, where he developed into a first-team All-Conference USA left tackle and helped the Owls win a conference championship. His professional path has carried him through Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, and Carolina, with his most sustained regular-season action coming as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Early Life and Background
Brandon Walton was born on March 18, 1998, in Clearwater, Florida. He grew up in the Tampa Bay area and attended Seminole High School, where he first gained notice as an offensive lineman. Walton was a three-star recruit coming out of high school and received scholarship offers from more than 20 universities, an indicator of his physical projection and on-field upside at the position.
During his time at Seminole, Walton was named the Pinellas County Athletic Conference (PCAC) Lineman of the Year in both 2014 and 2015, and he was also recognized with All-Tampa Bay honors. Those awards established him as one of the top high school offensive linemen in the region and helped set the stage for his commitment to Florida Atlantic University on December 5, 2015, choosing the Owls over a long list of competing programs.
Path to American Football
Walton signed with Florida Atlantic as part of the Owls’ 2016 recruiting class and immediately began developing within the program. As a true freshman in 2016, he appeared in two games, including contests against Kansas State and Old Dominion, getting his first taste of college-level competition. The limited role was typical for an offensive lineman still adjusting to the speed and strength demands of the college game.
By his sophomore year in 2017, Walton had earned a starting role on the Florida Atlantic offensive line. He helped the Owls post an undefeated Conference USA record that season, anchoring a group that powered the team’s conference championship run. In spring 2018, Walton was named co-MVP of Florida Atlantic’s offensive line, reinforcing his status as a foundational piece of the unit and earning preseason and postseason all-conference recognition from outlets such as Phil Steele and Athlon Sports.
Brandon Walton Career
Early Career (2016–2019, College)
Walton’s college trajectory at Florida Atlantic moved steadily upward. After a two-game freshman appearance in 2016, he locked down a starting job in 2017 and was recognized as co-MVP of the offensive line that spring. He earned Phil Steele third-team All-Conference USA honors at the end of the 2017 season and entered his senior year as a preseason third-team all-conference selection.
As a senior, Walton took over the left tackle spot full time and delivered his most decorated college season. He was named the winner of the Spring Offensive Lineman “Top Guy” Award, was a preseason second-team all-conference pick by Athlon Sports, and was a first-team selection by Phil Steele. He helped Florida Atlantic win the Conference USA championship and started every game, ultimately earning first-team All-Conference USA honors at left tackle.
NFL Journey Begins: Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers (2020–2021)
After going unselected in the 2020 NFL Draft, Walton signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent. His first stint in Buffalo was brief; he was released on September 5 during final roster cuts, signed to the team’s practice squad the following day, and released from the practice squad on September 8. The short turnaround introduced him to the volatility that often defines the early career of an undrafted offensive lineman.
Two weeks later, on September 19, 2020, Walton was signed to the practice squad of the Pittsburgh Steelers, giving him a developmental home for the bulk of the season. The Steelers signed him to a futures contract on January 14, 2021, a sign of organizational investment in his development. However, Walton was waived on August 17, 2021, during the first round of Steelers roster cuts, closing his time in Pittsburgh.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Era (2021–2024)
Just one day after being released by Pittsburgh, Walton was claimed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on August 18, 2021. He was waived at final roster cuts on August 31 but was re-signed to the Buccaneers’ practice squad the following day, beginning a multi-year relationship with the organization. Tampa Bay released him from the practice squad on January 31, 2022, before re-signing him as a free agent on February 16, 2022.
Walton made the Buccaneers’ final roster in 2022 and went on to make his NFL debut in Week One of the regular season, appearing on four special teams snaps in a 19-3 win over the Dallas Cowboys. He appeared in 11 games during the 2022 season and made two starts, showing enough for the organization to keep him in the mix. Tampa Bay waived Walton during final roster cuts on August 28, 2024, ending his time with the team.
Carolina Panthers Era (2024–Present)
Walton was signed to the Carolina Panthers practice squad on August 30, 2024, two days after his release from Tampa Bay. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Panthers on January 6, 2025, securing his place with the organization heading into the new league year. The futures deal signaled that Carolina viewed Walton as a developmental offensive tackle worth carrying into offseason workouts.
In August 2025, Walton was waived on August 26 but quickly re-signed to the Panthers practice squad, continuing his role as a depth piece along the offensive line. His standing with Carolina reflects the steady, journeyman path he has carved since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2020.
Driving Style and Strengths
Walton’s game is built around the length and frame of a classic left tackle. Listed at 6 feet 5 inches and around 300 pounds, he has the size to match up with NFL edge rushers and the footwork developed across four college seasons as a starter. His special teams experience in Tampa Bay also points to a player willing to contribute in multiple phases, an attribute that has helped him remain employable on practice squads across the league.
Notable Events and Milestones
Walton’s signature professional milestone came in Week One of the 2022 season, when he made his NFL debut on special teams in Tampa Bay’s 19-3 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. He also posted his first career regular-season starts later that year, capping a development arc that began with two games as a Florida Atlantic freshman in 2016 and continued through conference champion honors and an undrafted free agent signing in 2020.
Brandon Walton Career Wins
As an offensive lineman, individual win totals are not tracked in the same way they are for skill position players. Walton’s most prominent team result is his contribution to Florida Atlantic’s undefeated Conference USA record and conference championship in 2017, followed by another conference title during his senior season. In the NFL, his most notable team win came in his debut game, a 19-3 Tampa Bay victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Week One of the 2022 season.
Conference USA Highlights
Walton started every game at left tackle during his senior season at Florida Atlantic and helped the Owls capture the Conference USA championship. He was recognized as a first-team All-Conference USA selection and was named the winner of the program’s Spring Offensive Lineman “Top Guy” Award. His 2017 sophomore campaign, in which the Owls went undefeated in conference play, laid the foundation for that senior-year peak.
Other Performances
Walton appeared in 11 NFL games during the 2022 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, including two starts, after making the team’s final roster out of training camp. He logged four special teams snaps in his debut against Dallas and continued to see action on both offense and special teams throughout the year.
Brandon Walton Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Brandon Walton grew up in Clearwater, Florida, in the Tampa Bay area, and attended Seminole High School. Public details about his parents and siblings are not widely available, and his family is not known as a multi-generational football family. His rise from a Pinellas County prep standout to an NFL offensive tackle has been driven primarily by individual development rather than a known family football lineage.
Personal Life
Walton keeps his personal life largely out of the public eye, and verified details about a spouse or children are not available. He maintains an active presence on social media, including accounts on X and Instagram, where he shares updates about his training and team activities. His professional focus has remained on securing a stable role on an NFL offensive line.
2025 Season Performance
Brandon Walton’s 2025 storyline has been defined by movement on and off the Carolina Panthers roster. After signing a reserve/future contract in January 2025, he entered Panthers offseason workouts as part of the offensive tackle group competing for depth roles behind the starting lineup. The team waived him on August 26, 2025, but quickly re-signed him to the practice squad, keeping him within the Carolina program as the regular season approached.
For the Panthers, Walton represents a familiar profile: a veteran swing tackle with starting experience who can fill in along the offensive line and contribute on special teams. His familiarity with Tampa Bay’s system from 2021 through 2024 may also help him adapt quickly if Carolina calls on him during the year. His role with the Panthers is expected to remain focused on practice squad development and spot duty on game day, with the goal of earning a more permanent spot on the active roster.