Florida RB Derrick Walker still fighting for the D-I football dream

There is nothing easy about playing the game of football at any level. Even if one is blessed with the talent, genetics, or determination to be a collegiate athlete getting out of the high school ranks takes more than on the field achievements. A recruit needs the playing time, the grades, and the exposure by college coaches to get that scholarship offer along with a lot of luck.

This football story is a frustrating and familiar tale, just ask Florida native Derrick Walker.

Walker started his career at Miami Norland High School playing behind then Randy Johnson (Class of 2012). The 5’9”, 180 pound, back would go on to be known as the University of Miami’s all-time leading rusher, Duke Johnson. Johnson just wrapped up his college career rushing for 1,652 yards with 10 touchdowns in 2014. Before tearing up the ACC he rushing for 1,957 yards with 29 touchdowns and had 232 receiving yards with another three scores on the way to a Class 5A Florida State Championship.

Before Johnson had his senior year heroics he tore it up as a sophomore rushing for 1,540 yards with 25 touchdowns, a year his then teammate Derrick Walker is sure not to forget. Walker played behind the all-state and All-American prompting a change in schools by his junior season to McArthur High School in 2010.

Life was not necessarily any better at McArthur. In 2010 the Mustangs went winless but Walker still led the team in rushing. In 2011 the Mustangs came to life finishing 7-4. Walker again was the main man in the backfield rushing for 1,066 yards with 14 touchdowns. He also caught 10 passes for 136 yards finding the end zone another four times.

A change in coaches at North Carolina left the 5’11”, 205 pound, Walker without a scholarship as part of the 2012 recruiting class. The changing recruiting landscape led Walker to Chowan University in Murfreesboro, North Carolina. After a redshirt season with the Hawks, Walker hoped to open up his recruitment to Division-I programs across the nation taking a shot at going the junior college route landing at New Mexico Military Institute.

Slowed by the playbook and upperclassmen talent in front of him during his first season in New Mexico, Walker’s sophomore season gave a glimpse at his talent despite playing on a young inexperienced team. The Bronco’s posted a 3-8 record overall and even though defenses keyed on Walker, he rose to the occasion rushing for over 900 yards and racking up another roughly 250 yards receiving scoring 13 touchdowns.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview Derrick covers ground on his high school recruiting, his college experiences, and fighting to keep his dream alive to keep playing football as long as he can.

Derrick how did your senior year of high school ball turnout for you?

“We had a big coaching change to Andrew Rhoden, he’s a great coach. He knew how to motivate us and get us better. Mike Zarra retired, Rhoden took over. Zarra wasn’t as focused on the game. Coach Rhoden got all the kids together and pumped us up. He changed the team around. We went from 0-10 to 7-4 under Coach Rhoden.”

What kind of interest were you getting during your senior year?

“My first offer was from UNC (North Carolina). Coach Davis got fired and my offer went away. The coach on staff who offered me was gone. I was committed there. I went the D-II path. I went D-II but didn’t like it so I went the JUCO route.”

You redshirted at Chowan right?

“Yes.”

Then you transferred. Which school did you transfer to?

“After I redshirted I transferred to New Mexico Military Institute.”

How did your first year in New Mexico go?

“It took me a while to learn the playbook. I didn’t play that much. The guys ahead of me got the start and all the touches. The playbook was kind of difficult.”

What kind of offense did you run at NMMI?

“We ran a spread offense and the pistol.”

How did your sophomore season go at NMMI?

“We were a young team. The year before we had something like 19 starters returning to pretty much every freshman was playing in 2014. We had four returning starters, two D-linemen and two D-backs.”

What kind of stat line did you have in 2014?

“I had over 900 yards rushing and around 250 yards receiving. I was one of our quarterbacks’ favorite targets.”

The school’s stat sheet seems incomplete. The website is shorting you some yards.

“(Chuckles) I think there are a few games left off the schedule and stat sheet on there.”

Did you have any individual honors at the end of 2014?

“I was voted Week 3 Player of the Week and I was Second-Team All-Conference.”

What interest and offers did you have by the end of the season?

“I had an offer from North Dakota and NC A&T. I have offers from Concordia and Virginia Union.”

What happened to North Dakota and NC A&T?

“I had trouble with a history class and they pulled their offers.”

What do you feel are your strengths on the field as a running back?

“My quickness and my vision are my main strengths. I can see the hole and the cutback from anywhere on the field. I’m like Shady McCoy (LeSean McCoy, Buffalo Bills) on the field. I model my running style after him. I’m not the fastest guy on the field but if I’m in front of you, you’re not going to catch me.”

What did college coaches say about your abilities when recruiting you?

“They love how quick I can hit the hole, my vision, and how I can make people miss in open space. One-on-one I’m always making the guy miss.”

You’ve been through the recruiting process a couple of times. When looking at a school what all do you factor into your decision?

“I look at the running back spot. I want to know who is starting, is there a star there? I only have two years left. I look at the O-linemen, that makes the biggest difference. I also look at the offensive scheme. I’m a great downhill running type of guy and I want to find a scheme that fits my abilities.”

You have a lot of athletic ability as seen on your highlight reel. Did you play any other sports in high school?

“I ran track and wrestled.”

What events did you participate in with track?

“I ran the 400, 800, 4×1, and did the high jump. I was one step away from going to state in the high jump.”

What was your best height in the high jump?

“6-foot 2-inches.”

What is your vertical?

“38 inches.”

What were some of your best times in the 400 and 800?

“I ran a 49 in the 400 and a 204 in the 800.”

What’s your best 40-yard dash time?

“4.47.”

So where are you taking your speed and running back talents next year?

“I don’t know. I know coaches at both Concordia and Virginia Union. I feel an obligation to both coaches. I don’t want to make either one of the mad.”

What are you doing in the offseason to prepare for your next step?

“I’m a gym rat. I go everyday. I go straight to the Hill at Victor Park. I do Jerry Rice like workouts. I start by running 1.5 miles around then I run up the hill 10 times. I’m working on my footwork and then I get the parachutes out for speed training.”

Who has made the biggest impact on your football career?

“Coach Rhoden has had the biggest impact on me. I went from no offers not knowing what I was going to do to visiting with a lot of D-I coaches my senior year. He showed me what I needed to do. He had a big impact. He’s my father figure right now. I still check in with him everyday.”

What is your favorite part about playing football?

“Seeing where it can get me next. Football has opened up doors for education. If I can be in the league one day, that’ll be great. Football keeps me out of trouble and is opening up doors for a future career.”

 

Derrick’s story is a familiar one but his hope, motivation, and dedication is not necessarily commonplace. So much of life is preparing for that moment in time when hard work crosses a path with an opportunity. Much of the rest of life is not giving up when things become hard or difficult.

Derrick has been through the ups and downs of success and failure on and off the field. Yet he has not stopped working or stopped preparing for more opportunities and greater successes that are sure to come his way. Ready to take advantage of his next moment in time be it at Virginia Union, Concordia, or even forcing his way onto a roster in the “league” in a couple of years one can expect Derrick to give it his all through to the end.

 

Written by Ryan Wright

Photo credit: NMMI; No. 21 Derrick Walker.