Coveted 4-star defensive lineman names Florida among top schools
Florida football is one of the five programs at the forefront of four-star defensive lineman John Walker’s recruitment, according to Swamp247Sports’ Andrew Ivins. As a native of Kissimmee, Florida, it’s no surprise that the Gators coaching staff is leaning heavily on Walker to link up with the Orange and Blue.
The 6-foot-3-inch, 310-pound prospect out of Osceola High clocks in near the end of the most recent update to 247Sports’ list of the top 100 recruits in the nation. The other teams at the front of the pack for Walker are Miami, Michigan, Ohio State, and UCF.
Mario Cristobal and the ‘Canes continue to be a thorn in the Gators’ side, but I find it much more interesting that the Big Ten is mixing it up in the Sunshine State. The SEC’s northern rival is known more so for a grinding, physical brand of football than the modern style that Walker brings to the table. However, the Buckeyes and Wolverines are just as much a name brand as the Gators, and they don’t maintain that status without an eye for talent. In sports, it’s adapt or die.
“[Walker] exhibits good foot and body quickness for his size, nimble athlete at 300-pounds plus. Shows the ability to bend and react at the point of attack. Displays heavy hands and plays with power, showing the ability to consistently penetrate behind the line of scrimmage. Can anchor the run, disrupt passing lanes and offer pass-rushing upside as an interior defender. Violent defender that plays with read and react recognition and consistently impacts the game,” reads recruiting expert Cooper Petagna’s scouting report.
Defensive line coach Sean Spencer is listed as the primary recruiter working on Walker, but he mentioned defensive assistant Jamar Chaney first in his quote to 247Sports. One of the youngest members of this coaching staff, Chaney is a holdover from the previous regime and is constantly praised by recruits. He’s one of head coach Billy Napier’s secret weapons and it’s rewarding to see him get a shout-out.
Walker has re-set his commitment date for July 28 after initially setting October 22 as his target. That’s around the same time as a number of other major prospects. As the dominoes fall, the sense of how well or poorly this recruiting class turned out has the potential to change quickly and solidify for good.
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