Koby Walsh goes old school on O-line for Notre Dame High School

In Sherman Oaks, California Koby Walsh is a throwback offensive lineman for Notre Dame High School. The Knights are arguably in one of the tougher leagues not only in Southern California but in the nation lining up against Mission League opposition like Bishop Amat, Alemany, Chaminade, Serra, and Crespi week after week during the regular season.

Leading the way for the Knights on offense is Walsh. What makes Walsh different is the fact that he is not only a starter at center for the Knights but he is also one of the top ranked long snappers in the nation as a 4.5-star recruit. Few centers do both anymore, or at least both well.

While Walsh’s height and weight at 6’1”, 220 pounds, as a soon to-be two-year starter at center will not bring Division-I schools to the stadium to throw scholarship offers his way but the fact that he is ranked the No. 12 long snapper in the 2016 class by Chris Rubio will.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview Walsh breaks down the science of long snapping, how snappers are graded, and covers the 2014 season along with a look ahead to the 2015 season for Notre Dame High School.

 

Koby, I’m bucking a trend here and starting off with something different. On Chris Rubio’s profile page he has you listed with the nickname “Bacon Head.” How did you get the nickname Bacon Head?

“I was 11 years old. Rubio has that humor, he loves joking around. We were warming up and I was on this red turf. Some of the turf got stuck in my hair, that’s how the nickname came about. He said it looked like I had bacon bits all over my head.”

Ok, moving along. By Notre Dame’s standards you guys had a tough year last year finishing 6-4 after a strong start, breakdown how the season went for us.

“We started off strong 5-1. Then our starting QB (Cole Klayman) tore his labrum. We had to adjust to our backups. All of this happened right in the middle of league games. Our league is very hard. That’s where the negative part came in. We played well in all our games. We had some great players. We lost two games by four points. That would have got us into the playoffs. We were a scary team when we were on.”

How does the team look heading into next season?

“I think we’re looking pretty good. We have a great running back (Leo Lambert III), we are a run heavy school. Our quarterback is great and our D-line is great. I think it will be a good season for us.”

What makes you a strong starting center for Notre Dame?

“I think I’m a very smart center, not to sound cocky. I know how to read a defense. I can tell where the blitzes are coming from. That is a strength of mine. I know what they are going to do and where our guys need to go. My pass blocking is really good, I’m looking to improve on my run blocking.”

What about at long snapper? You must be doing something great to be ranked as the twelfth best in the nation.

“I’m very consistent and very accurate. I can block well and get down field well. I can snap fast.”

Last weekend you participated in the Chris Rubio camp in Vegas. The camp could give you an opportunity to bump up your ranking from 4.5 to 5-star. How did the camp go for you?

“I had a really good weekend. I ran well, snapped well, and blocked well. I’m looking to jump up a few spots in the rankings.”

Even if you don’t jump up in the rankings but get that 5-star status there’s no better ranking than that.

“I guess you could say that.”

Breakdown how well you did in the different testing portions for us. I know part of the score is based of accuracy and snap speed, how did you do in those categories?

“I hit 21 targets. Rubio has not been posted the speed yet. The week before at his pre-camp in LA I was getting timed at .70 (seconds), .72, in through there.”

What is RSI?

“That is the score snappers get on the targets divided by your average snap time.”

Off how many snaps?

“Twelve punt snaps, I don’t know those times yet.”

How is your form? Are you more arms, all body, or what?

“I’d say I use my whole body when I snap, that’s how you get your fastest time. If you’re only losing your arms or legs you’re not going to get your best times. I put everything into it.”

Translate your ranking as a long snapper to on the field. How well did you snap last year on punts and kicks?

“I was 33 for 33 on punt snaps, 5 for 5 on field goal snaps, and I think I was 43 of 43 on PATs (point after attempts).”

What are your goals for the 2015 football season?

“I want to win a CIF championship that’s for sure, I want to go undefeated. I think we are capable of that. My personal goal is to have perfect snaps all season.”

So you’ve proven your worth on the field and in Rubio’s camps, which schools are showing heavy interest in you right now based on your performances?

“I’m getting a lot of interest from Penn State along with Wisconsin and Pitt.”

Are you going to camp at PSU, Wisconsin, or Pitt this summer?

“PSU and Wisconsin told me to come to their camp. Pitt asked me to come on an unofficial but also asked me to come to their camp, but I can’t make it. Their camp is in the middle of the “Top 12 Camp” that Rubio is having.”

Are you planning on attending any other camps this summer?

“I’m going to be at Alabama, USC, and Texas A&M.”

Have you been on any unofficial visits yet?

“I was on the sidelines for a few USC games last season. I also went on an unofficial with Illinois.”

How have the USC visits gone?

“It was good. For the most part the coaches do not talk to the recruits on game day. It was cool to be on the sidelines.”

What about the Illinois visit?

“Last summer we were in the Midwest, I emailed the coach. He was cool with it. I got to tour the campus, look at all the facilities, and we had a 20 minute conversation with the head coach (Tim Beckman). It was pretty cool.”

At some of the camps the coaches will offer the specialist that performs best out of those players they have invited. Do you think you will be extended an offer if you do well at any of these camps?

“I think PSU could be a good opportunity to get an offer if I do well at their camp but I’m not sure.”

Let’s say several schools offer you a scholarship to come long snap for them, what will influence which school will get your verbal commitment?

“First and foremost academics are important to me. I don’t plan on playing in the NFL I want a great education. Another thing that will influence me is if I were to get hurt would I have fun being there? That’ll play a role.”

What have you been doing in the offseason to prepare for the Rubio camps, the one-day college camp circuit, and your senior year?

“Athletically I started doing workouts with the track coach. I started when the season ended. That’s where I’m doing my running. Three days a week I’m working with our lift coach, now every other day with spring ball. I snap four to five days a week. I’m always doing snapping drills to get better.”

You mentioned education being important to you, what major will you pursue?

“Either a business major or broadcast journalism major.”

Who has made the biggest impact on your football career?

“My dad (Richard). No doubt about that one. He gives me the opportunities. We’ve traveled to Georgia and Texas for the Rubio’s camps. We’ve been to Notre Dame and Nebraska doing all of these camps. It helps when you have a guy by your side leading you in the right direction.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“The joy it brings when you’re on the field. That is something you cannot relate to something else in life. You make lifelong friends there as well.”

 

Written by Ryan Wright

Photo credit: chrisrubio.com; Koby Walsh participates at a Chris Rubio camp.