Film Room: Breaking Down Safety Justin Walters
Safety is a big need for Notre Dame in the 2021 class, and the Irish made Bolingbrook (Ill.) standout Justin Walters a key early target. Getting Walters in the class early was a positive development from a filling needs standpoint, but it also added a talented player to the class.
Justin Walters, 6-2, 175, Bolingbrook (Ill.) High School
Rivals: 3-star - No. 14 safety
247Sports: 3-star - No. 18 safety
ESPN: 3-star
IB Grade:
Upside Grade:
Overview: Walters is a consensus three-star recruit, but there’s a reason the staff made him a priority. He brings the all-around skillset that Notre Dame covets at the position, and Walters shows plenty of room for continued improvement.
Walters earned offers from Michigan, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Michigan State, Iowa, Northwestern, Missouri, Minnesota, Boston College, Duke, Iowa State, Indiana, Kentucky and UCF.
Picking up Walters was impactful for the 2021 class and the safety depth chart, which you can read HERE.
Right now there isn’t as much film of Walters available that I prefer for a full film evaluation, but there’s certainly enough to get a good early feel for the talented safety. Below is a first look at what I see from Walters on film, and as more comes available I will provide a more detail film analysis.
STRENGTHS
Walters is still on the thin side, but I like his frame and potential to get to 200 pounds. Beyond that his frame grades out well due to his length. He’s listed between 6-1 and 6-2, but more importantly he has impressive length, which helps make him a rangy player, which is essential for a safety.
The first thing that stands out on film is Walters ability to make impact plays in the run game. He defends the alleys extremely well, showing a good initial burst, easy change of direction skills and top-notch closing speed. Walters also takes sound angles to the football and is a quality tackler from a technique standpoint.
On top of being a sound player, Walters shows surprising power when he arrives at the football. I say surprising because you don’t expect an athlete that is listed at 175 pounds to play with such power and force. Even when he doesn’t get a full head of steam, Walters arrives at the football with ferocity, showing the ability to drive through contact. That kind of lower body explosiveness stands out, and it’s going to get better as he adds more weight room strength.
His potential in the run game is outstanding, and it’s only going to get better as he fills out his frame. When I watch him fly downhill from the middle of the field I can't help but think he'll be a defender that loves playing against Navy.
Walters isn’t a dynamic athlete, but he’s smooth, fluid and changes direction with ease. Those traits give him good playing speed and help him overcome the lack of top-end speed. Those physical traits combine nicely with his feel for the game to make him a strong zone player. Walters makes smart reads in the pass game and much like he does in the run game, he takes good angles when attacking routes.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT
Walters needs to continue filling out his frame. He delivers punishment now, but for that to continue in college against much bigger backs he’ll need to get stronger. His explosiveness will help him overcome his current lack of girth at the prep level, but Walters will need to fill out that frame before he’s ready to step onto the field in college. The good news is he's still just a junior and will certainly add good weight and strength before he arrives at Notre Dame.
Although he plays the middle of the field for Bolingbrook, Walters is used mainly as a downhill player. As such, he has a tendency to be focused a bit too much on coming downhill, which leaves him vulnerable to play-action throws.
In the pass game, he projects well as a cover player when matched up against tight ends and backs, but there isn’t much film of him in man coverage. So this is more of an unknown than it is an area for improvement, but the lack of top-end speed does create a question about how effective he’ll be in man coverage against slot players.
The one thing I don’t see much of on his highlights is instances where he must take on and get off blocks. Again, this isn’t an area of improvement as much as its an unknown based on available film.
NOTRE DAME FIT
Walters stated that Notre Dame is recruiting him to play the same safety role that Alohi Gilman did the last two seasons, which fits his game perfectly. Walters is at his best when playing the alleys and coming downhill. If he fills out his frame he projects to be an impact run defender, which is important for a safety in the Irish defense.
Schematically and philosophically the Irish defense puts a lot of stress on safeties, especially in the run game. Walters has the range and tackling potential to thrive in this area, and he shows the kind of football IQ needed to handle the position at a high level.
Part of what made Gilman an impact player at Notre Dame was his ability to make plays on the ball, and in limited film of Walters he shows the same skills. While he might not be a highly ranked player, it’s easy to see how his combination of talents (length, athleticism, instincts) makes him a great fit in the Irish defense, and why the staff pushed so hard for him so early.
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