NFL Free Agent Signings: Atlanta Falcons Sign Notre Dame Cornerback Darrin Walls

It was not an easy road, but the one taken by Darrin Walls winds up at every football player's dream destination: the NFL.

Earlier today, Walls signed a deal with the Atlanta Falcons and will compete at the cornerback position.

Although an original member of the class of '10, Walls left school entering his junior season in fall of '07 citing "personal reasons." By the spring semester of '08, he was back on campus and returned for a successful remaining two years of play.

He never quite lived up to his hype as a high school All-American, but he did show periods of brilliance. Check out his career highlights here.

Walls was heralded as one of the most underrated prospects of the 2011 NFL draft, namely due to his blazing speed (4.39 40-yard dash). All 32 teams passed on Walls during the draft, though, resigning him to wait during the tumultuous lockout period over the past several months.

Best of luck to Walls as he fights to earn a spot on the permanent Falcons roster.