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Anthony Walker, Jr.

beetlemania74

Well-Known Member
Dec 7, 2008
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Is a stud. Quick, and showing even better instincts than last year. Dude's gonna be a star.
 
Wrote this on him in June. Feeling very confident.

"Anthony Walker – SO – Northwestern Wildcats – The Cats lost a stud in graduate Chi Chi Ariguzo, but we see Walker as a player with a similar ability to fill the stat sheet. He’ll line up on the inside (Ariguzo was a weakside backer), but he’s a play-making tackler with plenty of toughness and speed to make up for a lack of bulk (6-1 225). He filled in for Colin Ellis with gusto in 2014, after the vet retired due to injury, totaling 40 tackles, 9 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 2 picks and a forced fumble. Expect a huge jump in those numbers given a full season as starter. Despite Northwestern’s concerns at DT due to injury, Walker’s athleticism and ability to get off blocks should still allow him success on the inside."
 
But not as a WR....wow, that dropped INT hurt. Would have been a pick six, effectively sealing the game. Ugh

Would have had a spectacular game (instead of merely excellent) if Walker had managed to hang on to that (didn't mind the 1st dropped potential INT as much as it was a tougher play).
 
Wrote this on him in June. Feeling very confident.

"Anthony Walker – SO – Northwestern Wildcats – The Cats lost a stud in graduate Chi Chi Ariguzo, but we see Walker as a player with a similar ability to fill the stat sheet. He’ll line up on the inside (Ariguzo was a weakside backer), but he’s a play-making tackler with plenty of toughness and speed to make up for a lack of bulk (6-1 225). He filled in for Colin Ellis with gusto in 2014, after the vet retired due to injury, totaling 40 tackles, 9 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 2 picks and a forced fumble. Expect a huge jump in those numbers given a full season as starter. Despite Northwestern’s concerns at DT due to injury, Walker’s athleticism and ability to get off blocks should still allow him success on the inside."
With all due respect to chi chi, there is nothing similar as mr walker is in a completely different class. When i assessed his talent last year it became incredibly obvious to me that the redshirt freshman, although short in stature, reminded me of another freshman BIG lb named spielmann. Truth is that it is rare in this league to see one of these sorta backers but every so often. On the sports media huddlecast i even went further advising cat fans that mr walker will become the all tine tfl leader at nu. The only thing that will prevent that is injury or leaving early. The 4 Catsmen behind him allows doc to play mr walker even more aggressive as the 4 DL keep the big hog ol off our guy.
He will do for our team what fitz, bosworth, spielman did for theirs. So lets raise the comparisons from chi chi up northwards.
 
With all due respect to chi chi, there is nothing similar as mr walker is in a completely different class. When i assessed his talent last year it became incredibly obvious to me that the redshirt freshman, although short in stature, reminded me of another freshman BIG lb named spielmann. Truth is that it is rare in this league to see one of these sorta backers but every so often. On the sports media huddlecast i even went further advising cat fans that mr walker will become the all tine tfl leader at nu. The only thing that will prevent that is injury or leaving early. The 4 Catsmen behind him allows doc to play mr walker even more aggressive as the 4 DL keep the big hog ol off our guy.
He will do for our team what fitz, bosworth, spielman did for theirs. So lets raise the comparisons from chi chi up northwards.

LOL, the only comp I made was "ability to fill the stat sheet"

I could make others, but I agree Walker is a far better talent. Walker has NFL speed, and his instincts are amazing. I hate hyperbole, although when projecting it happens, but Walker is one of the best pure athletic talents to play on the Cat defense in years, and his football knowledge for a SO seems upper echelon. Nick Roach, Fitz, Proby, etc... none move like Walker as an athlete, especially at that age.
 
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LOL, the only comp I made was "ability to fill the stat sheet"

I could make others, but I agree Walker is a far better talent. Walker has NFL speed, and his instincts are amazing. I hate hyperbole, although when projecting it happens, but Walker is one of the best pure athletic talents to play on the Cat defense in years, and his football knowledge for a SO seems upper echelon. Nick Roach, Fitz, Proby, etc... none move like Walker as an athlete, especially at that age.
Does anyone know his recruiting history, ie, why wasnt all the florida schools after him? And most importantly, which one on our staff recognized him as a solid recruit?
 
Does anyone know his recruiting history, ie, why wasnt all the florida schools after him? And most importantly, which one on our staff recognized him as a solid recruit?

I have no clue, But, there are SO many good player in Florida that even if FSU, UofF, Miami, CFU, FIA and FlAtlantic all got their top choices there'd be plenty of talent left over for out of state schools. Also, he was listed at 6'1" and 208# in high school so he has filled out quite a bit.
 
Wrote this on him in June. Feeling very confident.

"Anthony Walker – SO – Northwestern Wildcats – The Cats lost a stud in graduate Chi Chi Ariguzo, but we see Walker as a player with a similar ability to fill the stat sheet. He’ll line up on the inside (Ariguzo was a weakside backer), but he’s a play-making tackler with plenty of toughness and speed to make up for a lack of bulk (6-1 225). He filled in for Colin Ellis with gusto in 2014, after the vet retired due to injury, totaling 40 tackles, 9 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 2 picks and a forced fumble. Expect a huge jump in those numbers given a full season as starter. Despite Northwestern’s concerns at DT due to injury, Walker’s athleticism and ability to get off blocks should still allow him success on the inside."

Unfortunately Chi Chi was recently cut by the Chargers. He is injured. Jordan Mabin also was cut by the Chargers. I hope both guys can catch on with another team.

http://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/201...ers-announce-initial-53-man-roster-moves-cuts
 
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Playing in front of an experienced secondary probably gives him a little more opportunity to be more aggressive on some plays instead of being forced to play conservative.
He seems like he is ready to have a tremendous year.
 
Does anyone know his recruiting history, ie, why wasnt all the florida schools after him? And most importantly, which one on our staff recognized him as a solid recruit?
Yes. The Canes came in late and offered, but Anthony stuck with his NU commit. All the more reason to root for this kid to succeed. I believe Marty Long was the lead recruiter who got in on Anthony early at a HS that doesn't produce a lot of Power Five prospects. Where is CoralDude when you need him. He could no doubt elaborate, but I think I have given you the gist of the relevant history.

GOUNUII
 
Playing in front of an experienced secondary probably gives him a little more opportunity to be more aggressive on some plays instead of being forced to play conservative.

That's how MSU's D has been so good against the run and in pressuring the QB - for the past couple of yrs, they had experienced NFL-level corners who they could leave on an island.


Does anyone know his recruiting history, ie, why wasnt all the florida schools after him? And most importantly, which one on our staff recognized him as a solid recruit?

Yes. The Canes came in late and offered, but Anthony stuck with his NU commit. All the more reason to root for this kid to succeed. I believe Marty Long was the lead recruiter who got in on Anthony early at a HS that doesn't produce a lot of Power Five prospects. Where is CoralDude when you need him. He could no doubt elaborate, but I think I have given you the gist of the relevant history.

Whatever the case may be, need to get some more of those South FL players like Walker and Henry.

The 2 doing well and getting some national press should help.
 
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