Interview: 2023 Arkansas OL Walker Davis Developing into D-I Talent
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Much of playing in the trenches at the high school level is about desire and motivation. But to go beyond being good to a next level recruit, one has to mix that mindset with physical giftings and technique. At Benton High School, Class of 2023 guard Walker Davis is evolving into that player college programs are putting on their recruiting board.
There are certain blocks Davis already has down like an old pro. Explosive off the snap, when pulling and down blocking, or just run blocking in general, Davis is putting defenders on roller skates taking them backwards yards at a time. With his pass-pro, the 6-3, 275-pound, lineman has the patience and quick feet with a developing punch that is stonewalling tackles and blitzing linebackers.
The action in the trenches with the Panthers is drawing D-II and D-III attention, but Davis is ready to catch the eye of D-I programs this summer with a planned college camp circuit.
Covering ground on his play at guard, his move to tackle with the ability to line up anywhere along the line this fall, and his camp schedule, Davis stopped by the RNG Lab for a detailed confab.
Interview
Walker, the thrill of firing off the ball and knocking around defenders shows your film. To get into that mode of dominating your opponent for four quarters, what gets you into that mindset?
Man, it is something about the game and about being in the trenches with your brothers and knowing they have you back. Physically dominating someone is my thing. That is what drives me to knock peoples’ heads off. That is a mindset that I have taken on this past year. I have to become a bad mother; that is what our coaches preach. To play on the offensive line you have to be dirty and nasty, that is from our coaches. When it is game time, flipping that switch is in my mind.
What offensive scheme were the Panthers executing during the 2020 season?
We are a no-huddle Spread with a lot of RPO (run-pass option). We do a lot of screens but we also like to run the ball a lot.
What was the philosophy of the team’s offense?
For us we are trying to get the ball, shove it down their throats and go score seven. If we are running or throwing deep, we are doing our thing. When we are clicking, it is hard to stop us.
Playing left guard, as a run blocker they had you doing a lot of different things. If you will, breakdown what all they had you doing and how your game improved doing it.
Most of the time in the run game, I was double teaming someone; me and my brother or me and the center. That is where I feel in love with being an offensive lineman, you are dominating the person in front of you. You are putting the defensive lineman in the lap of the linebacker. We pull a lot; pulling is my thing. I love to pull and get in gaps and spear people.
Pass pro, I love it. I love taking on very large players like myself and stopping them from getting to my loveable quarterback. It is personal with pass protection. We all take it personal and it is a big deal for us.
Did you guys track pancakes and/or knockdowns?
I did not, but there were a lot.
Asking you to guess, about how many per game were averaging?
Our coaches kept score of knockdowns and good plays, I was getting at least five or six a game. They graded on pancakes, staying on blocks, and doing our job at a higher level than normal.
When the season ended, what did you feel were the strengths to your game with your pass protection?
I was very technical when I first started, like getting in the right stance and setting one way with the ability to come back. My punch, that took a while to time it up but when I got it down, it was really fun. It is fun smoking these defensive linemen. It took a while, but when I got it down it changed the game for me.
When we see you again on the field this fall, which roles are you taking on?
You will see me at left tackle, probably all around the offensive line, and some at nose guard and end.
What are you working on with your fundamentals this spring on offense?
The fundamentals. We are getting back into it now. I am working on my footwork, steps, and run blocking. We are getting back into the groove right now. For me this year with my game, my focus is on my run blocks. Last year I struggled with staying on blocks. This year I have thought about it and decided to dominate the guy in front of me. Staying on blocks and doing my thing 100 percent every time.
Staying on your blocks, are you talking about locking on with hands?
Yeah. We do screens, so we have to get in the open field and find people. Sometimes I had a problem finding them. Yes, hands and grip strength are what I am working on.
How are you working to improve your footspeed and explosion off the snap?
We’ve been training for a while at my house. I work on that every day, and work on vertical movements and squats. It has put me ahead of a lot of people, the stuff my dad has me doing here. My workouts here have changed how I get off the ball and how explosive I am.
What are your maxes?
My bench is 355; I just placed second in my division at a state weight meet. My max is 285 on clean, that also placed second in my division, and I got 465 on squat.
Are there any camps coming up you may attend?
This June I am going to Arkansas, Alabama, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State camps. I have gone to a USA and Rivals camp last month.
How did the Rivals camp go?
It was pretty good. I feel like I balled out and I got some more attention. They tested us on 40 and broad jump; it was worth the trip.
Did you guys get to do one-on-ones?
No, we did not.
Football and you’ve mentioned competitive lifting, are you competing in any other sports for Benton?
I do. I am on the track team competing in the shot and discus. We have state this Thursday. I was second in our conference in shot and set a Junior High record for shot.
Let’s talk recruiting. Which programs are showing interest?
There are quite a few D-II and D-III asking me to their camps. Southern Oklahoma, OBU (Ouachita Baptist), and Langston College have invited me to their camps; there are a lot asking me to go to their camps. I am trying to get noticed by D-I schools, that is why I am going to these camps.
Walker, keep up the hard work this spring. I’m excited to find out how well you perform on your college camp circuit this summer.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: BFN/Davis family; Walker Davis