Independence JUCO Commitment Interview with Louisiana RB Cristian Wallis

Written by Charlie Beuttel

Twitter: @charlie_cds3

High School football players from all over the country go many different routes to reach their dream of playing Division-I college football. Unfortunately, some players let their dreams fall to the wayside failing to do anything they can to make their dreams a reality. One player that is not giving up on his dream is Cristian Wallis.

Wallis is a running back who attended South Terrebonne High School in Bourg (LA) graduating as part of the 2015 class. During his senior at South Terrebonne, Wallis ran for an incredible 1,864 yards and had 29 total touchdowns. After the season, he received many individual honors which included first team All-District, District Offensive MVP, first-team All-Region, and first-team All-State.

Since graduating Wallis has maintained his hard work in the weight room and on the practice field to make sure he reaches his goal of playing Division-I football. Wallis path after graduation has included a summer session at Southern University, completing a semester at Arkansas-Monticello, and is now signing to play football at Independence Community College in Kansas on Dec. 23.

In an exclusive Recruiting News Guru, I sat down with Cristian to discuss the route he has taken so far to make his dreams come true.

Interview

Christian, what steps have you taken from graduating in May 2015 to committing to play football at Independence Community College in Kansas?

“Right after high school I tried to walk-on at Southern but when I got there things didn’t go smooth with the coach. Then due to some financial issues I wasn’t able to go back after the summer session in 2015. From the fall of 2015 to the fall of 2016, I worked with my dad as a little side job but continued to get better on the practice field and in the weight room.

“Then I decided to go back to school and walk-on at Arkansas-Monticello after talking with some of their coaches for the fall semester of 2016. Unfortunately, once I got there they didn’t seem to know me until Week Three or Four of the season and I wasn’t able to practice due to some paperwork not getting done. I then completed the semester with two B’s and a C. On the final day of the semester, on Dec. 13., I was contemplating whether to return or not and that’s when I decided to go the JUCO route.

“Soon after I started sending my film out to recruiting coordinators at different JUCOs hoping to get some responses. That’s when my friend, Darius Griffin, who is also a top JUCO recruit told the recruiting coordinator, Coach Ornelas, at Independence C.C. about me and showed him my film. After that all the coaches saw it and they were the first JUCO to offer me.”

What were some other JUCOs to offer you?

“Lackawanna from Pennsylvania and Iowa Central CC.”

When did you decide on Independence CC?

“On Dec. 18.”

Is Darius Griffin coming with you?

“Yes, Darius and I and a couple others from this area are all signing together on Dec. 23.”

Where will the signing take place?

“At our local newspaper.”

Why did you decide on Independence?

“They were the first ones to offer me. All the coaches were on board with them offering me. I saw some pictures of their facilities and it feels like a good fit for me.”

Who did you commit too?

“I committed to Coach Ornelas who is not only the recruiting coordinator but the quarterbacks coach and the head coach, Coach Jason Brown.”

What was their reaction?

“They were really excited. They didn’t think it would happen so fast and now they are looking forward to me coming up there.”

How excited are you to be attending Independence Community College?

“I look forward to going up there. They want to bring me in as a running back so I’m excited to get started and work hard.”

Thank you for your time and congratulations on signing with Independence.

“Thank you sir.”

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Photo credit: NOLA.com; South Terrebonne RB Cristian Wallis escapes a tackle

Photo credit: Houma Today; South Terrebonne RB Cristian Wallis