Four-Star Linebacker Recruit Includes Miami In His Top-Five Schools
Miami's coaching staff hosted one of the best linebackers a few weeks ago.
Buford (Ga.) stud linebacker Mantrez Walker released his top-five schools yesterday. The 5-foot-11, 215-pound final five are as follows: LSU, Colorado, Miami, Penn State, and Ole Miss. A four-star recruit by Rivals, Walker spoke with AllHurricanes on why each school stood out to him in his recruitment.
Miami - "Consistent love shown from the coaches. Coach (Derek) Nicholson's passion to do better and the fact that he played linebacker and had been in the same position I'm in. Also, the visit was great. My parents loved the environment. I feel that I am wanted there.
"I love (Mario) Cristobal's energy and desire to want to get the U back to how it used to be and that is something I would love to be a part of with the goat of linebackers coming from there in Ray Lewis. I feel like I'm one of the best linebackers in the country and could bring that tenacity back to the U under an energetic linebacker coach like Coach Nicholson."
Ole Miss - "Also consistent love from the coaches, Coach (Pete) Golding's knowledge of the game, Coach (Wes) Neighbors III passion for making Mississippi linebacker group the most productive on the field. Coach (Lane) Kiffin is a great guy and just a player's coach.
"(The) winning culture at Ole Miss with them being part of a staff that coached my favorite linebacker ever and somebody I model my game after in Reuben Foster stood out to me a lot."
Colorado - "They've been on me the most of the day with contact daily and Coach (Andre) Hart's constant pursuit for me. They see me coming in and playing day one and that's something I value dearly. Colorado is a great scene and I feel like they could be the catalyst for changing college football around.
"Coach Prime (Deion Sanders) has a great vision and with several NFL coaches being on staff there are many connections and knowledge coming from the League. Who wouldn't want to play for a Hall of Famer."
Penn State - "Them being Linebacker U and consistently putting linebackers into the league. They've recruited me since my sophomore year and although Coach (Manny) Diaz left Penn State, I still feel love from them.
"Coach (James) Franklin has great stability in Happy Valley and that's very important, especially in these days with the Transfer Portal and stuff. I feel like they just need the right pieces to get over that hump and I feel like I could help with that."
LSU - "The culture down to in the Bayou. It's different down there, it's a real family environment. I felt that when I went down there last spring. The Tigers have a winning culture and I value that a lot. I feel like I could be a part of history at LSU.
"They are building their 2025 class good right now and they need some pieces to make some waves in the SEC. I like the coaches' energy and they showed love to me early in the recruiting process."
Walker mentioned at this time he has one visit planned at this time.
"I have a visit planned to Colorado at the end of April right now," said Walker.
The Peach State standout timeline for a decision is coming sooner than later.
"I plan on making a decision either at the end of the spring or by the middle of the summer."