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KENTUCKY BOUND IAN WALKER HAD HIS EYES ON THE PRIZE FROM THE START
PENNINGTON: Ian Walker did not play football until he started high school at Burlington Township High School in the southern-central region of New Jersey.
When a 6-foot-3, 300-pound freshman the genetics and natural abilities to play a sport at the top levels, word will spread pretty fast.
Walker said after his freshman season as the starting offensive tackle for the freshman and junior varsity teams as well as a varsity basketball player for the Falcons, he started to get offers for football from what he described as “lower end FBS programs.”
When a naturally big kid sees the contracts, offensive lineman are getting paid these days, such as Eagles offensive linemen Landon Dickerson ($18 million per year), Jordan Mailata ($66 million total) and Cam Jurgens ($68 million total), it is easy to see how a kid like Walker could get motivated to develop as a player at an early age.
Michael Watkins, the Admission Counselor & Athletic Liaison for The Pennington School in Pennington, NJ, who is also the head football coach for the Red Hawks, was able to sell the exclusive boarding school near Princeton to the young offensive lineman.
“I had a change, to come to Pennington, I wanted to be developed and become a better player,” Walker, now a senior, said before a recent practice at the high school. “At Burlington Township I had like five offers, but they were from lower FBS programs. I really wanted to play in the SEC or the Big Ten.”
Walker said he was confident that if he made the switch to Pennington, he'd have a better chance to reach his goals.
“I knew coach Mike (Watkins) and all the other coaches would develop me to get me to go to the Big Ten or SEC.” He was right.
Walker was able to unlock Walker's ability as a football player. Offers have poured in from college football royalty. He has made a commitment to play for Kentucky.
Now, 6-6, 315, Walker said also wanted what Pennington had to offer in the classroom.
“I was an amazing opportunity academically,” Walker said. “Just the opportunity to live here on campus surrounded by great people.”
Playing offensive line in football is a thankless position to people outside the team. The only attention these guys get is when they get called for a penalty.
“I've always been like that,” Walker said. “When I play basketball, I've always been a pass-first guy. I was willing to give up the ball to my teammates, it's the same way with my quarterback,” Walker stopped and smiled. “Then I go hit somebody.”
Pennington plays an independent schedule. The Red Hawks will play eight games this season and that's it. No playoffs. Walker said getting better as a player craft-wise was more important than playoff games.
He said he believes that much in The Pennington School and its coaching staff.
“I knew what the sacrifices would be coming from a public school to Pennington,” Walker said. “I knew it was going to be a shift in culture and everything. The games aren't as packed (with fans in the stands).
“I knew coming here it was going to be more locked in, get your technique right, focus on every play, do you best on every play and not worry about all the rah, rah stuff.”
Walker has offers from everywhere. Why Kentucky? It is a good SEC program, but the Wildcats do not have the program legacy that Alabama, LSU, Georgia, Florida, Ohio State and many other programs that offered him.
“I just felt at home,” Walker said without hesitation. “The coaches, ever sine they met me showed a consistent love, telling me how much they want me to come their school.
“I loved the 'Big Blue Wall' there at Kentucky, they love O-line...I knew I was going to be developed. Will Stein, love my head coach. There's a lot of energy, a lot of vibes there.”
The "Big Blue Wall" is the nickname for the University of Kentucky Wildcats' offensive line unit. It symbolizes the physical group up front that paves the way for Kentucky's between-the-tackles running game.
This is Stein's first season as head football coach for Kentucky.
Stein was named the Dodd Trophy National Coach of the Week on Monday September 21st.
Stein led the Wildcats to a stunning upset victory at then No. 9 Texas A&M on Saturday.
“We have a new coaching staff coming in, change the whole thing around,” Walker said. “It's going to be explosive in the SEC, explosive offense, stout defense.”
Walker was asked if he was looking forward to competing in playoff games at the next level.
“I wouldn't have gone to Kentucky if I didn't think they weren't going to be contenders."
For now, Walker has a senior season to complete. The Red Hawks are off to a 2-0 start. Watkins said his standout lineman is a big reason for the team's success.
"Ian is the leader of our football team and the anchor of our offensive line,” Watkins told Footballstories via email. “He has exceptional athletic ability for a 6-6, 315-pound kid. He processes information rapidly and plays with a ton of passion. He has everything you want in an offensive lineman.”
Watkins, who played high school football at Bishop McDevitt High School in Wyncote, PA, also said this year he would leaning on running back Tahmere Brown, linebacker Bam Pelzer and DT/G/C Julius Odentha.
The head coach informs all three are getting attention from FBS programs.
The question needed to be asked. Was NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) a factor in choosing Kentucky?
“Honestly, with my coach (at Kentucky), I didn't talk numbers at all,” Walker said. “I didn't know any numbers...it was the coaching staff, the relationships, development, it just an overall feeling for the school.” *
Some information came from MaxPreps.com and media reports.
Email Al Thompson at al.thompson@footballstories.com
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