Catch Up Interview with Class of 2017 Corona High School RB Malik Walker

Written by Ryan Wright

There are a lot of coming out parties happening this year on high school gridirons across the country and one player sure to make a lot of noise is Malik Walker. Walker got limited touches as a sophomore in 2014 but averaged 8.14 yards per carry toting the ball 34 times for 277 yards with one touchdown.

Walker (5’10”, 178) is skilled, determined, and poised for the breakout season taking every aspect of his development on the field seriously. Part of his maturation process has been absorbing instruction from various college coaches during one-day camps throughout the offseason.

I caught up with the rising Class of 2017 star to find out how his camp circuit went over the summer.

 

Malik, which camps have you attended this offseason?

“I just recently went to the Cal camp. I’ve been to a San Diego State camp and the Kumite held by PTP (Prime Time Polynesian). I’m going to the Arizona State camp in two weeks and I think that’s it.”

How did the Cal camp go?

“It was actually pretty good. Their coaches seemed to like me. I was talking to their running backs coach, Coach (Tony) Franklin. Everything actually went pretty good at the Cal camp. Everything went smooth. I like their offense and how they run stuff.”

What set you apart from the other running backs?

“I think running my routes smoothly and acknowledging what they said and running everything how they wanted it done.”

How did Cal leave the recruiting process with you after the camp?

“Coach Franklin and Coach (Brandon) Jones (run game coordinator) were working with me. They pulled me aside and got my information and that was really it for the Cal camp.”

How did the San Diego State camp go?

“It was actually really good. I played both ways. I went to running back and I thought I shined against the other running backs. I did well with my one-on-ones and during the 7x7s. They had me play a little corner and they seemed to be interested in me on both sides of the ball.”

How did SDSU leave the recruiting process with you after their camp?

“I actually went on a visit before the camp. I talked to Coach Tony White (recruiting coordinator), and their running back coach, Coach (Jeff) Horton. They seemed really interested in me. They like my film. They’re probably going to come down my school and check me out some more.”

Are you excited about the Arizona State camp?

“It seems like it will be a pretty good camp. I’m excited for it so I can show my talents to the coaches.”

What have you been doing in the offseason to prepare for these camps and your junior year?

“I’ve just been working on my route running and my receiving part of the game. I’m a running back but I know we have to catch and do everything a receiver does. So I am trying to improve that. I’ve been doing speed training, conditioning keeping myself in shape, and spending time in the weight room.”

Tell me a little bit about the Cool 90 Prime Time Polynesian camp.

“It’s normally a lineman camp but they introduced skill players. They had a lot of coaches there. Oregon and Washington coaches were there. There were a lot of coaches from the Pac-12 schools.”

Did any of the Pac-12 coaches talk to you at the camp?

“Yeah, a lot of them were interested in me. Washington’s coach, Coach Keith (Bhonapha – recruiting coordinator/running backs coach) really seemed interested. He talked to me for a little bit. Oregon talked to me a lit bit. I had multiple Oregon coaches talking to me that day. They said they will come by my school.”

You were recently ranked as one of the top players in the state of California by Signing Day. Congratulations. Tell me a little bit about how they do their rankings.

“It’s basically an evaluation process. They evaluate you off your yardage, the quality of your film, and based on how you performed on the field. They ranked me No. 7 overall in the state for the Class of 2017 at running back. They use position rating, athlete rating, and state rating.”

Congratulations.

“Thank you.”

 

Photo credit: A4Shizl; Malik Walker works at a camp.

Photo credit: Malik Walker.