Name: Amorion Walker
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 182 lbs.
High school: Ponchatoula (LA) Ponchatoula
Position: Cornerback
Class: Junior
Jersey number: #1
Last year: I ranked Walker #32 and said he would be a part-time starter at cornerback (LINK). He played in five games and made 5 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, and 1 pass breakup.
TTB Rating: 81
I vastly overranked Walker in 2023, largely based on Jim Harbaugh's assertion in the off-season that the staff considered Walker to be a starter at cornerback. He then had a terrible spring game and played in just five games last fall, dropping down the depth chart behind UMass transfer Josh Wallace, walk-on Keshaun Harris, and then-freshman D.J. Waller. Walker's speed and agility are top-notch, but it has yet to transfer to the game field.
And speaking of transfers, Walker had a bit of an odyssey this past off-season. He chose to transfer - which is understandable given the modern transfer portal climate and his spot on the field - because it seemed like he was not destined to play much at corner for Michigan. So he went to Ole Miss, where they had him playing cornerback during spring ball. And then after spring practices, he sought greener pastures at Michigan . . . in the wide receiver room with Ronald Bellamy.
I might be overranking Walker yet again. I'm putting more faith in logic than in actual practice buzz, I guess. A lot of the murmurs coming out of practice are about Tyler Morris, Semaj Morgan, Colston Loveland, and Marlin Klein, and not about Walker. But if the coaching staff didn't love Walker's ability as a receiver, I'm not sure how much effort they would have put into trying to get him back after he had already walked out the door. Walker has put on just two pounds (up to 182) since the beginning of last season, so he's not going to be a physical wideout. What he might bring to the table is field-stretching speed, height, and leaping ability, and maybe the coaching staff thinks that can clear things out for the aforementioned targets underneath. I don't think we will see a ton of catches from Walker this fall, but we might see a few big plays.
Prediction: Backup wide receiver; 15 catches, 260 yards, 2 touchdowns
I don't think he'll play much. I'm not as down on him as I was at Corner, but this dude has bounced around and has some development to go through. Besides, while we don't have much size in the WR room, we do have guys that have the potential to make plays. Morgan is one tough (and quick) SOB; Morris had A PLAY during a critical playoff moment against a badass D ... FredM has speed for days
ReplyDeleteIs that enough? Perhaps not, but I don't see walker as the safety valve our new QB will need, that role goes to Colson
Some PT, see ya next year
Plenty of playmakers!
DeleteDoesn't seem like it's happening. Honestly I am hoping for a red-shirt season. The physical talent is impressive.
ReplyDelete