A Class of 2025 linebacker who had Penn State in his top four has de-committed from Michigan.
GOD GOT ME 🙌🏾 @Coach_Davis22 @CoachApp35 @DwayneDuBose4 @BufordGAPrspcts pic.twitter.com/ImKvaqkL1c
— Mantrez Walker ✞ (@MantrezWalker) September 12, 2023
Mantrez Walker, a three-star from Georgia’s Buford High School, announced his de-commitment late Monday night via Twitter.
The 6-foot, 215-pounder had been committed to Michigan since February.
Before that, Michigan and PSU were finalists along with Florida and LSU. Penn State offered Walker last November. In addition to his finalists, Walker has offers from schools such as Arkansas, Boston College, Colorado, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Louisville, Miami, Michigan State, Missouri, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Purdue, South Carolina, Stanford, Tennessee, UCF and Virginia Tech.
In a brief Twitter statement, Walker thanked Michigan’s staff but said he’s de-committing after “lots of talks” with his parents.
Michigan’s 2025 Class is now down to two commitments: four-star CB Chris Ewald (Hollywood, Florida) and three-star DL Bobby Kanka (Howell, Michigan).
Penn State, on the other hand, has three committed: four-star OT Jaelyne Matthews (Toms River, New Jersey), four-star RB Kiandrea Barker (The Woodlands, Texas) and three-star CB Omari Gaines (Newark, New Jersey.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.None of those three are linebackers, and Gaines is the only defensive player, so landing Walker could give Penn State a new element.
Before he committed to Michigan, Walker 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.”
Walker’s recently visited Tennessee for this past Saturday’s game against Austin Peay.
