Penn State football is a finalist for Mantrez Walker.
Walker is a Class of 2025 inside linebacker from Buford High School in Georgia, he announced via Twitter Friday.
toast to the times when they wasn’t out to get me . 🥂#GoBlue #GeauxTigers #GoGators #WeAre @SWiltfong247 @adamgorney @ChadSimmons_ @CoachApp35 @Coach_Davis22 @BrianDohn247 @lukewinstel @JeremyO_Johnson pic.twitter.com/1vhNAS7Fbv
— Mantrez Walker (@MantrezWalker) February 3, 2023
Walker (6-foot-1, 215 pounds) has narrowed his college choices down to Florida, LSU, Michigan and Penn State. He’s plans to announce his decision next Saturday.
He told 247Sports that Penn State’s reputation as “Linebacker University” is a drawing card. He also mentioned the program’s secure coaching staff and on-field success.
“Penn State being LBU and producing the most linebackers ever in the draft,” Walker said, “also them having stability with their coaching staff and consistently winning each year.”
Walker made similar comments to On3Sports.
“The linebacker production at Penn State really stands out to me,” Walker said. “They produce players at my position.”
One of those players is a man named Abdul Carter.
The product of LaSalle College High School near Philadelphia finished his true freshman season this last year with the team lead in sacks (6.5), tackles for loss (10.5) and finished second in solo tackles (36.)
Walker visited Penn State the weekend of Jan. 15 for Junior Day. He visited Michigan this past weekend. Penn State fans might not like Walker telling 247 that Michigan is his “dream school.”
”Always wanted to play in the Big House,” he said. “Most winning program of all-time. (Jim) Harbaugh’s coaching and NFL experience (are important), and I feel as though I can fit in coach (Jesse) Minter’s defensive scheme perfectly.”
Penn State football has an inside linebacker committed to its 2024 class in Anthony Speca, a four-star from Pittsburgh Central Catholic. In the Class of 2025, which Walker is part of, Penn State has a commitment from Jaelyne Matthews, a four-star offensive tackle from New Jersey’s Toms River North High School.
Along with his top four, Walker has offers from schools such as Arkansas, Duke, Florida, Georgia Tech, Michigan State, Missouri, Ohio State, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia Tech.
