Interview: 3-Star 2020 LB/RB Jason “Junior” Walling is Ready to Tear Up Oregon Competition Again
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
One of the best individual high school football seasons in the state of Oregon during the 2017 schedule was turned in by Class of 2020 linebacker/running back Jason “Junior” Walling. Walling (6-2, 220) helped his McNary High School squad to a 7-4 season after rushing for 1,037 yards with nine scores while catching 15 passes for 223 yards with four more trips to the end zone. On defense, he was “Johnny on the spot” pulling down 88 ball carriers with 22 tackles for a loss and 12 sacks. After earning first team All-League honors at linebacker and second team All-League honors at running back, regional Pac-12 teams are taking notice.
Ahead of what is assuredly to be another All-League performance on both sides of the ball, and perhaps with some All-State recognition, I got a few minutes with the three-star 2020 recruit learning more about his game with a quick preview of the Celtics’ squad before the opening game of the 2018 season.
Interview
Junior, all the hard work and countless hours spent in the offseason working on your game is finally about to come to fruition, how do you feel a couple of days away from the 2018 season kickoff?
“I am feeling great. My trainer has helped me a lot over the summer. Our coaching staff has been amazing this offseason and have put together a great game plan. I am excited for our game. I feel amazing heading into the game.”
How did fall camp with the Celtics go?
“It went great. We had a lot more energy in camp than in past years. Our scout team is doing well giving us good looks. We have a lot of starters back, I am very confident in our season.”
What will be some of the strengths of team this year?
“I think our offensive line will be amazing. Running the ball will be a strength. Our toughness and our tempo are strengths. We will go no-huddle and wear our opponents down. Our defense will have great energy and make big plays this year.”
Which areas of your game did you focus on during the offseason and fall camp?
“I always like getting my strength and speed up to be durable going both ways for the season. The most important thing for me over the offseason was being more explosive. I am hitting the hole harder and making big plays on defense.”
Where are you seeing improvements in your overall game at linebacker?
“I am seeing my timing of blitzes getting better, I am hitting harder, and the game is slowing down. I am being a better leader out there for my team.”
How are the coaches utilizing you this year on defense?
“I will move me around at linebacker this year. Every now and again I will be at middle linebacker or at strong linebacker – the coaches are moving me around depending on the team. I will do a lot of blitzes and, of course, fill the gaps. The coaches will put me in the right spots to make plays in our games. I am excited.”
What about on offense, where are you seeing growth in your game on that side of the ball?
“I am expecting a lot of carries this year. They will move me out to slot to catch some passes as well. I am way stronger this year, I am excited to see how that goes running the ball.”
Are you playing any other positions this season besides linebacker, slot, and running back… driving the bus to and from games?
(Laughs) “I am mainly playing running back and linebacker.”
Over the summer, did you get a chance to camp at any schools?
“Yes. I went to a few. My main goal this summer was to see the different schools to see what was different about each and to see what fits are there for me. I wanted to see the coaching staffs in action as well. I went to Oregon Saturday Night Live, two Oregon camps, an Oregon State camp, the Washington Rising Stars camp, USC’s Rising Stars camp, and a Washington State camp.”
Did you go to any national camps or combines?
“Yes. I also went to the Nike Opening Regional – Las Vegas, Rivals, and to the May Madness Top 150 camp.”
Which position did you play at the camps?
“I mainly lined up at linebacker. I am being recruited at that position the most.”
Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you?
“The main ones are Oregon and Washington. Washington came to school last year to talk to me and invited me to their camp. I have tickets to their home games for unofficial visits if I can make it.
Which school has offered you?
“I have an offer from Oregon State.”
Have you taken any unofficial visits yet?
“Yes. I went on a few this offseason. I went to UNLV, Cal, San Jose State, Utah State, Utah, Oregon State, Washington State, Eastern Washington, Oregon.”
Do you have any planned for this fall?
“I am trying to see if I can visit Utah, I went to their spring game last year. I would like to visit some Pac-12 schools I have not visited yet like Washington and Washington State.”
Back to football. Looking at North Medford in Week 1, what kind of game are you expecting from them as a linebacker?
“I am expecting power runs from them. They had a great running back last year. We will be ready to fill the holes hard and make plays at the line.”
What other games are big rivalry games for the Celtics this season?
“We have a tough schedule this year. West Linn (Sept. 7), they beat us in the playoffs last year. That’ll be a big one this year. South Medford (Sept. 28), they were in the championship last year. The Tumwater (WA) game (Sept. 21) will be a big one. West Salem (Oct. 19) is always a powerhouse team in Oregon.”
What goals have you set for your junior year?
“My goal is to be a team leader, help us win a league title, and be where the coaches need me. I want to bring my best energy to every practice and every game this season.”
Junior, thanks for your time today, I appreciate it. Good luck on Friday against North Medford.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: Walling family; Junior Walling at Oregon State and at Washington