Being a late bloomer doesn’t seem to have slowed down Tyrunn Walker.

He didn’t start playing football until his junior season at Westgate High School, began his college career at Jones Junior College in Ellisville, Miss., then moved on to Tulsa University.

Walker is getting the chance at a professional football career in his home state now after signing a contract with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted rookie free agent.

“I thought it was a great opportunity,” said Walker of his decision to sign with the Saints. “Being close to home was a plus. Any time you get the opportunity to be around your family, it’s great. I’ve been away for so long.”

Walker also received interest from the Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers, said Ryan Antoine, who was the defensive coordinator at WHS when Walker was a senior. Antoine, now head football coach and athletic director at West St. Mary High School, spoke with Walker before the former Westgate and Tulsa defensive tackle agreed to terms with the Saints.

“We talked about what teams would be good fits for him,” said Antoine. “Later he told me he decided on the Saints. They need defensive linemen, and they’ve made a change in (defensive) coaches. I think it’s a good opportunity for him.

“He’s an athletic defensive lineman. He’s a pass-rushing defensive tackle. We talked before his senior year, and he would tell me, ‘Coach, let me play defensive end.’ And I’d tell him, he was a defensive tackle. I knew he was going to fill out some (and be suited for defensive tackle in college). That year for me he had 19 1/2 sacks.”

He’s also signed with a team that has a history of success with undrafted players. Eighteen players on the team’s 2011 opening-day roster were undrafted players, according to a story on the team’s website, www.neworleanssaints.com, and five of them were starters. Among them were receiver Lance Moore, cornerback Jabari Greer and running back Pierre Thomas.

Walker, 22, said he also talked with Anderson Middle School coach Glenn Fondal and Westgate basketball coach Oliver Winston, who was actually the one who encouraged him to play football.

“They all motivated me,” said Walker.

WHS head football coach Brian Fine said he saw Walker around Christmas time. Walker said he went into the offseason looking to gain some weight for a shot at an NFL career.

“I’m real happy for him, with everything he’s overcome,” said Fine. “He’s worked real hard. He looks real good. He’s in real good shape.”

Walker said he was one of 11 defensive linemen the Saints brought in for workouts prior to last week’s NFL draft, looking for some they could sign to contracts if they went undrafted. He was the only one of the group to receive a contract with the team.

The 6-foot-3, 273-pounder will leave Monday for a three-day rookie mini-camp held Tuesday-Thursday at the team’s training facility in Metairie, then come home for a short time. Another mini-camp is set for June 4-6 for rookies and veterans, with offseason training activities (OTAs) scheduled May 25-28, June 7-10 and June 14-17. Training camp is scheduled to start July 28.

Walker’s former coaches are thrilled he’s got the opportunity to play in the NFL.

“Tyrunn was a late bloomer, football-wise,” said Antoine. “He didn’t start playing until his junior year. He really bloomed his senior year.”

He hopes to continue to bloom with the Saints.

“There’s not a lot of people who get the opportunity to play pro football,” said Walker. “I just want to take advantage of it.”