3-Star 2020 Oregon LB/RB Jason Walling Updates Pac-12 Visits and Previews Boise State
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Over the last two high school football seasons, it would be hard to find someone who has outworked Class of 2020 athlete Jason Junior Walling. Walling has served as the do-everything playmaker for McNary High School racking up All-League honors on both sides of the ball with a commitment to perfection that would crush the will of most in his peer group.
The 2017 season was a coming out party for Walling. He carried the pigskin 212 times for 1,037 yards with nine scores and pulled in 15 passes for 223 yards with four more trips into the end zone. On defense, he put an end to 88 plays with 22-tackles for a loss, and 12 sacks. The 2018 campaign was more of the same for the 6-2, 225-pound, talent, but with teams scheming harder to stop him on offense and against him on defense. Still, he rushed for 1,005 yards and tacked up an 86-tackle, 16-tackle for a loss, and five-sack season.
With four offers on the table from Oregon State, Princeton, Yale, and Utah, and recruiting interest growing up and down the west coast, I caught up with Walling after a visit to UCLA for an update on his workouts and recruiting process.
Interview
Jason, your passion for the game shows on seemingly every play. What do you love about the game of football that drives you?
“I love competing most of all. I have fun with it. Being with my friends and making my parents proud is one of my favorite things to do.”
Your improved speed and quickness from your sophomore to junior year is noticeable on your game film, what were some of the other improvements in your game on offense in 2018?
“I was more explosive. My upper body strength and lateral quickness improved. I was reading the holes better and reading defense pre-snap better last season.”
On defense you were playing as a stand-up inside backer, outside backer, and a hand down in the dirt end. How or why did your roles on defense change throughout the season?
“It all depended on the team we were playing. I play wherever my coach needs me. I like going in the dirt going against an offensive lineman. Wherever coach needs me, I will play.”
How do you feel your game on defense improved on defense?
“I became more explosive with my hits and blitzing. I was wrapping up better and my pass coverage got better. I was attacking the hole faster and my hand-work improved as well.”
Of the three positions played on defense, which do you like best?
“I love playing inside linebacker, that is where I am being recruited to play at the next level. I love filling the holes as a linebacker.”
What are you working on with your defensive game this spring?
“This spring, I am working on my conditioning. I am going both ways again next season, which is huge for me. I am working on getting faster and improving my lateral quickness. I want better all-around quickness for next season. Four times a week I am with my personal trainer working on my speed and quickness.”
Are you going to any national camps this spring?
“Yes. I am planning on going to Nike Opening Regional in Oakland in May.”
You have the four offers, which schools are showing interest?
“I am receiving interest from Oregon, UCLA, Boise State – I am going to Boise State this weekend, Army, and Vanderbilt – they are the main ones showing interest. I receive some mail from a few others but no real communication from the coaches, schools like Stanford, Cal, and some Ivy League programs.”
Which schools have you visited since the start of the 2018 season?
“I have taken visits to Purdue, Oregon State for a practice not long ago, and UCLA.”
How did the UCLA visit go?
“It went extremely well. I saw one of their practices. I loved their energy. I did a full campus and facilities tour. Coach Don Pellum (ILB) and I had a great conversation.”
What did Coach Pellum say to you about your game and/or recruiting process?
“He said he loved my film and that I had improved a lot from my sophomore to junior year. He said they are recruiting linebackers in the 2020 class and they want to come out to see me run in spring ball.”
Nice. And Oregon State, how did that go?
“I love going to Oregon State. I saw one of their practices. Coach (Jonathan) Smith (head coach) and Coach (Trent) Bray (LB) are great. I had an amazing time there. I love going to Corvallis when I can.”
Do you have any upcoming visits planned other than the Boise State visit this weekend?
“Yes. In two weeks, I am visiting Utah.”
With the Boise State, what has you excited about that visit?
“I am extremely excited. They have a new linebacker coach, I have heard from him already. That was awesome. I am excited to learn more about their program and meet the coaching staff.”
What do you feel sets you apart from other Class of 2020 athletes?
“The hard work I put into the game. I am willing to go to work every day. I take no days off. I am going into the gym every day and perfecting what I need to work on.”
For college coaches who may not know you yet, what is one thing they should know about you after reading this interview if they have not picked up on it yet?
“I am willing to work hard on the field and in the classroom (4.0 GPA weighted). I will graduate early, I will be done after this summer. I can go in for spring ball with whichever team. I am a guy coaches will have no problems with on their team.”
Jason, great catching up with you today. I appreciate your time and wish you success on your upcoming visits.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Walling family; Jason Walling at UCLA