Interview: 3-Star 2021 Arizona LT Bram Walden Talks Saguaro 4A State Title

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Big strong, moves his feet, keeps his hands inside, plays with a chip on his shoulder, and has a whole lot of upside left to his game – all things one can say about Class of 2021 Saguaro High School left tackle Bram Walden. With the Sabercats winning their sixth consecutive Arizona state title in 2018, some may take the team’s winning ways for granted on the field but the titles do not happen without talented players stepping up. Walden outperformed expectations as a sophomore anchoring one of the state’s best and nation’s top programs catching the eye of college coaches along the way with offers from Arizona State, Michigan, and Memphis already on the table. All leads to bigger expectations for the 6-5, 270-pound, three-star recruit who is on track to being a corner stone player at the next level.

In an RNG exclusive, I sat down with the rising sophomore to learn more about the Sabercats championship winning season and his role within the offense.

Interview

Bram, as a sophomore playing left tackle for one of the top teams in the southwest, what was the season like for you going up against all those top teams getting challenged by talented ends and outside linebackers?

“It was fun. It was a great experience going against a lot of great competition. I got better as the season went on – I got a lot better.”

Winning titles at Saguaro is now expected, but that does not lessen the thrill for you guys when you accomplish the goal. When the season ended with a dominating 42-16 win over Salpointe Catholic, what was that feeling like for you?

“It was fun. All the hard work I put in and all the hard work we put in as offensive linemen we started in January, it all paid off. That was the best feeling in the world. It was a blast.”

From the jump you guys played some very tough out of state teams in Liberty (NV) and Helix (CA). How did playing against talented squads like that help you during the conference run and throughout the playoffs?

“That helped me a lot. That competition, when I watched film it helped me fix stuff I needed to work on for later in the season. It is really nice that our coach (Jason Mohns) schedules games like that for us. We get better for it and it pays off later in the season.”

How did your skillset as an offensive lineman improve as a pass blocker in 2018?

“Last year I was not very good at pass blocking, I was just strong. During the offseason I worked on my technique a lot. Our offensive line coach is amazing. All that hard work, it paid off.”

What about in the running game, how did that improve?

“I had to work on my footwork getting to the second level, that has gotten better. It was good going against good players and strong kids. That helped me with my footwork, hand placement, and firing off the ball.”

This offseason, what will you work on with your pass and run blocking?

“I am working on getting stronger, faster, having better agility, and better footwork. I am also learning more about the game and just trying to improve my overall technique.”

Are you participating in any other varsity sports for Saguaro?

“Yes. I am competing in track throwing the shot and discus.”

Bram, thanks for your time today and good luck with your track and offseason workouts.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Sabercat Football Smugmug.com; No. 75 Bram Walden in action