Buffs Beat

Colorado Buffaloes Incoming Freshman Mantrez Walker Shares Major Life Update

After enrolling early this past semester for his first spring football camp with the Colorado Buffaloes and coach Deion Sanders, linebacker Mantrez Walker returned to Georgia for his Buford High School graduation. Walker will be a true freshman this fall.
Jack Carlough|
Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffalos head coach Deion Sanders against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffalos head coach Deion Sanders against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

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After spending this past semester in Boulder as an early enrollee, new Colorado Buffaloes inside linebacker Mantrez Walker is officially a high school graduate.

On Saturday, Walker posted a picture of himself in his Buford High School (Buford, Georgia) graduation cap and gown with the caption, "END OF AN ERA." The former three-star prospect played four varsity seasons at Buford and was named first-team all-region three times. As a senior last fall, he helped Buford reach the Georgia Class 6A state semifinals, where the Wolves lost to Carrollton High School and fellow Colorado incoming freshman Julian "JuJu" Lewis.

The 247Sports composite ranked Walker as the No. 87 linebacker in his recruiting class and the No. 100 overall prospect in Georgia. Listed at 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds, Walker decommitted from the Michigan Wolverines in September 2023 before giving his pledge to Colorado coach Deion Sanders the following April.

Nov 16, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; General view of a Colorado Buffaloes helmet on the turf of Folsom Field before the game
Nov 16, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; General view of a Colorado Buffaloes helmet on the turf of Folsom Field before the game against the Utah Utes. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Walker introduced himself to Colorado fans last month during the Buffs' Black and Gold Day spring football game. During the 7-on-7 portion of the scrimmage, Walker made a nice open-field tackle of running back Dallan Hayden.

Earlier in spring camp, Colorado linebackers coach Andre' Hart shared his thoughts on Walker's development.

"The speed of the game is the thing that they got to get used to," Hart said. "Also, he is in a new system, so you want to develop him and keep him going forward, and then get him with those guys who have been here so you can have a room of leaders lead him. If I got to keep coaching him, I think that is a problem. He has to be infectious with the team, and he is doing that so far."

Although Colorado lacks depth at the inside linebacker position, Walker may be in line for a redshirt this season. UTSA transfer Martavius French and Jacksonville State transfer Reginald Hughes are favored to earn the two starting inside linebacker roles, but an injury to either could force Walker into immediate action.

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“The coaches have preached to me that a lot of linebackers are leaving so I can come in and fill that void if I just put my head down and work,” Walker told DNVR in November. “I’m used to being in competitive environments so that’s not going to be anything new to me... I’m going to be ready to work, learn everything I need to learn and just apply it on the field. I feel like I’ll have the opportunity to do that.”

Walker totaled 60 tackles, three TFLs, one sack, one fumble recovery and a forced fumble during his senior season at Buford before coming to CU in December. He, along with Lewis and several other early enrollees, practiced with the Buffs ahead of the Alamo Bowl and traveled to San Antonio.

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Jack Carlough
JACK CARLOUGH

Jack Carlough is lead reporter for Colorado Buffaloes on SI. Jack graduated from the University of Colorado with a bachelor's degree in journalism and minors in business and sports media. Born and raised in the Boulder area, Jack began covering Colorado athletics in 2018 and was the head sports editor of the CU Independent during his college career. More recently, he spent over three years as the managing editor of the USA Today Sports Network's Colorado Buffaloes Wire, where he covered Colorado's hiring of head football coach Deion Sanders. Other publications Jack has written for include the Boulder Daily Camera, Left Hand Valley Courier and SB Nation’s Ralphie Report. In 2022, the Colorado Press Association awarded Jack second place in its annual Class 5 Best Sports Column Writing category.

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