Buford (Ga.) High linebacker Mantrez Walker tells 247Sports he has his top five schools. The programs that have his attention are “Miami, Colorado, Ole Miss, Penn State and LSU.
Walker went in-depth on each opportunity.
Regarding the Buffaloes: “They’ve been on me the most with contact daily and 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 catapult into changing college football around. Coach Prime has a great vision and with a lot of 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 and they have made it clear to me that I can come and play day one that I’m their No. 1 guy.”
Regarding the Hurricanes: “Consistent love shown from the coaches. Coach D-Nich’s passion to do better and the fact that he played linebacker had been in the same position I’m in. Also my visit was great. My parents loved the environment. I feel that I am wanted there. I love 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 linebackers coach like Coach D-Nich.”
Regarding the Nittany Lions: “Them being LBU and consistently putting linebackers into the league. They’ve recruited me since my sophomore year and although Manny Diaz left I still feel some love from
them. Coach Franklin has great stability in Happy Valley and that’s something that is very important especially in these days of the 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.”
Regarding the Rebels: “Also consistent love from the coaches, Coach Golding’s knowledge of the game, Coach Neighbors passion for making the Ole Miss linebacker group the most productive on the field. Kiffin being a great guy and just a players coach. Winning culture at Ole Miss with them being a part of a staff that coaches my favorite linebacker ever and somebody I model my game after in Reuben Foster stood out to me a lot.”
Regarding the Tigers: “The culture down in the Bayou. It’s different down there. It’s a real family environment. I felt that when I went down there last spring. They 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 there 25 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 process as well.”
247Sports ranks Walker as the No. 43 linebacker in the country.
