Interview: Corona 2017 RB Malik Walker Preps for Big Senior Campaign

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Talking about what will happen is coming to an end. Off-season prep work in hopes of a big 2016 year is drawing to a close. All the hard work put in for high school players after the clock rolled triple-zeroes on the 2015 season is about to come to fruition where the talk will be weeded out and those that took their workouts to the next level will rise above the rest. One of the many putting the proverbial blood, sweat, and tears into his off-season workouts in hopes of a big senior campaign is Malik Walker.

Walker is that shifty scat-back who can make a defender look silly in a heartbeat stretching a simple play into a nice gain. Corona High School’s (CA) rising star has been making plays for the Panthers over the past two seasons coming up with 934 yards rushing during his junior season after averaging 8.14 yards per carry during his sophomore campaign. The 5’10”, 183 pound, talent also turned three receptions into roughly 110 yards scoring 22 total touchdowns a year ago earning first team All-League honors.

Colleges west of the Mississippi are aware of Walker’s abilities with many taking that wait and see approach wanting film on the California product’s first couple of games in the 2016 season before extending offers. Some of the teams showing interest in Walker includes Colorado State, Montana, Montana State, Sacramento State, Northern Arizona, and Wyoming.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I caught up with Walker as Corona begins their fall camp for the 2016 season getting an overview on his off-season, a preview of the Panthers’ squad, and received a recruiting news update.

Interview

Malik, I know you had a busy summer attending various camps. Which camps did you attend?

“I went to a few camps. I went to the Prime Time Polynesian camp again, Sacramento State, the Inland Empire Showcase, Sound Mind Sound Body (Los Angeles), and a Cal-Poly San Obispo camp.”

Which camp did you perform your best?

“I think I performed best at the Cal-Poly San Obispo camp. That was my best one.”

What did you do well at that camp?

“My footwork was clean, I ate up all the linebackers, and I caught everything clean all day. I did great in 7v7 too. I was really proud of that.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you right now?

“I’m getting a lot of interest from Big Sky schools along with Sacramento State, Montana State, Montana, Colorado State, Northern Arizona, and some from Wyoming.”

How many offers do you have right now?

“I have one from Lindenwood (St. Louis, MO).”

Nice. Did you take any unofficial visits this summer?

“I visited the Cal-Poly San Obispo campus during their camp.”

Do you have any upcoming visits planned?

“Not really, I’m waiting for the season. A lot of schools have said they want to see my first couple of games. Hopefully a lot of offers will come through then and then I can start setting up visits.”

What have you been working on this off-season to prepare for your senior year?

“I’ve just been working on my speed; that is my main focus. I’ve been working on quick feet agility wise. I want to be a professional at the game. I have really been studying the game. I want to know where my linemen will be on every play so I can make the right cuts and be an explosive playmaker this year.”

 

 

When does Corona start fall camp?

“We’ve been going through practices already. We have been lifting weights and we’ve been going over our offense in a camp. We just finished a tournament at Huntington Beach. We did well there. We need to cut out the little mistakes and we will be good this year.”

You mentioned cutting out the little mistakes and the team will be good. How does the team look overall going into the 2016 schedule?

“I think we are solid. Our depth maybe the only problem. We have some great athletes on our team like Justin Johnson (quarterback and linebacker) and Jeremiah Boatner (wide receiver). We have a lot of guys playing both ways.”

Are you playing some safety this year?

“Yes.”

Are you excited about getting some time in at safety?

“Yes – I’m really excited. I like defense. It is a good change. I like to mix it up.”

Are there any games on the schedule that you are getting excited to play already?

“I’m excited for all of them. Heritage (Sept. 23) will be a fun game. I think they won CIF last season. I’m ready for the competition. I’m excited about our team this year.”

How did you finish up in the classroom last year?

“Last year my GPA was a 3.3. I think my core cumulative is a 3.0 now.”

Great job in the classroom. Malik, thanks for your time today and good luck with fall camp.

“Thank you.”

Photo credits: prepsmagzine.com; No. 27 Malik Walker promotion shoots.

Photo credit: berecruited.com; No. 27 Malik Walker breaks free.