Corona Class of 2017 RB Malik Walker one to watch in 2015

When the 2014 season came to a close for Corona High School the thought “wait until next year” was first and foremost. The Panthers struggled through the year finishing 1-9 but not all that comes with a bad season was on the coaching staff or the players.

After going through a first string and second string quarterback with everyone learning a new offensive system, the football gods seemingly were not on the side of Corona High School. One bright spot was senior running back Adam Miles. Miles rushed for 1,189 yards with nine touchdowns carrying the majority of the offense. Another good thing did happen, the future of the team emerged in sophomore tailback Malik R. Walker.

Walker tore it up playing against his peers in JV ball but carried that same success onto the field at the varsity level. Averaging 8.14 yards per carry toting the rock 34 times with one touchdown ending with 277 rushing yards. Walker is the heir apparent to Miles and has an opportunity to be even better.

A way too early and unfair comparison for Walker is former Florida State running back Warrick Dunn. The two have a very similar running style and frame. Dunn was a three-time All-ACC performer coming in at 5’9”, 187 pounds. When Dunn was finished with his college career he had rushed for a school record 3,959 yards.

Dunn’s style was to patiently wait for his blockers to get down field and then explode through the hole creating one-on-one matchups with safeties and linebackers that he could exploit with his speed… the same way Walker tears up opposing California high school defenses. Malik is young but is already fast and has a frame that suggests he will get bigger. He is currently 5’10”, 178 pounds.

In an exclusive Recruiting News Guru interview we sat down with the promising running back going over his sophomore season, how he is preparing for the opportunity to start for the Panthers in 2015, and how his early recruiting is already shaping up.

 

Malik, tough stuff first. Corona had a really rough season, what happened?

“We got a new coach from Centennial. Last season was our first year in that (offensive) system. Everyone was learning. We were not ready for that yet and we lost our starting quarterback. Our coach kicked him off the team and then our second string quarterback got a concussion during a JV game. One of our wide receivers had to come in to play quarterback the rest of the season. Our middle linebacker tore his ACL. The team went through a lot of adversity.”

What was it like for you to get your first taste of playing varsity football?

“I loved it honestly. It wasn’t too much for me. It was just right. I felt like I was already at that level. I loved that feeling.”

Adam Miles had a great senior season rushing for nearly 1,200 yards, are you next in line to be the team’s starter at running back?

“Yes.”

How has spring ball gone for you?

“Pretty good. We are going through a little more adversity. Coach Bass he might be going back to Centennial as their head coach. We are reinstalling what we’ve been running on offense. I think the new offense is better for us and our skill sets.”

Will the Panthers bounce back next year and make the playoffs?

“We definitely should improve next year. We have 11 transfers, all good players. The team is working a lot better. Everyone is playing as a team and coming together. I think we can make the playoffs. We will do better than last year.”

What makes you a dangerous running back with the ball in your hands?

“I feel like I have good vision, my downhill ability, and my ability to breaks tackles. I can get downhill, north and south, and break those tackles that are not usually broken.”

You’re game speed looks really deceptive. Have you been timed in the 40-yard dash lately?

“About a month ago I was timed at 4.6.”

That has to be your form when starting your run. You look much faster than that. What are you doing in the offseason to prepare to be the starting Panthers’ running back?

“Running, doing footwork drills, and going to the gym, I’m trying to perfect my craft.”

What are your goals for the 2015 football season?

“I’m looking to get down to the 4.5 range and put on some mass. I want to work on my vision and help my team perform, and I hope I get some offers.”

Speaking of offers, I know you did not get a ton of carries last year but are colleges already showing interest in you?

“I have received mail and I’ve been introduced to some coaches. The coaches I have talked to asked me about my grades but no real one-on-one contact with colleges yet.”

Which schools have already started sending you material and showing interest?

“Boise State, Cal, Nebraska, Western Washington, and UCLA.”

An important step in getting on the radar of some of these college coaches is the one-day camp circuit. Are you going to any camps this summer?

“San Diego State and ASU. I’m not for sure yet about ASU. I might attend UCLA, that’s up to my parents.”

Do you plan on taking any unofficial visits over the summer separate from the camps?

“I’m thinking about going on some unofficial visits a day before to check out the schools, especially with SDSU.”

Do you play any other sports for Corona High School?

“I was running track. I’m thinking of doing wrestling also.”

What events have you competed in with track?

“The 100 meters, 200 meters, and 4×4.”

What was your best time in the 100?

“11.3.”

What about in the 200?

“I think it was a 23-flat or a 23.1.”

 

Malik is young, just finishing up his sophomore season, but is talented. He has a lot of football left to play but is already showing the skill set and determination to make his mark as one of the top running backs in the 2017 class. With the path cleared for him to potentially start for Corona High School, the stat line should jump up putting him on far more radars across the nation.

Curious about all the fuss, checkout Malik’s highlight reel.

 

Written by Ryan Wright

Photo credit: Malik Walker