Louisiana Football: Interview with Natchitoches Central 2021 OLB Ferman Walker Jr.
Written by Charlie Beuttel
Twitter: @charlie_cds3
Ferman Walker Jr. had a tremendous season at Natchitoches Central in 2019. The junior standout defensive end, who also spent some time at linebacker, racked up 61 total tackles including 11 for a loss, six quarterback hurries, six fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, two blocked field goals, and two defensive touchdowns. Walker was one of the leaders of the defense that only gave up 18 points per game and was named second team All-District after the season.
This 6’2”, 200-pound, tackle machine has tremendous strength and quickness which he uses to be involved in every play and brings down every ball carrier that he can get his hands on. Walker also has good speed and footwork. The Class of 2021 prospect is currently receiving interest from several notable college programs including Grambling State and Texas State. It’s only a matter of time before his recruiting process takes off like a rocket.
Walker is not only a leader on the football field but also in the classroom where he holds a 3.25 GPA and enjoys Math and English class.
In an exclusive Recruiting News Guru Interview, I sat down with Walker to discuss his junior season and get an update on his recruiting process.
Interview
Ferman, what are your thoughts on the 2019 season?
“My thoughts on last season is we improved as a team and came together.”
How would you grade your individual performance last year and why?
“I would say a C, because I had some things to improve on such as coming off the ball faster and pass coverage.”
What are your strengths on the football field?
“My strengths on the field would have to be my aggression and my strength.”
What was your most memorable moment?
“My most memorable moment was the first touchdown I scored.”
Did you receive any individual honors?
“The individual honors that I received is second team All-District flex and got Player of the Game quite a few times.”
What was the biggest challenge that you faced last season and how did you overcome it?
“The biggest challenge that I faced has to be coming off of the ball low and fast, I overcame that by working on it every day.”
What is your practice and workout schedule during the offseason?
“I work out at the school weight room, run on the track, practice over some things on the field and go to the gym at night.”
What are you working on the most this offseason to improve your game?
“The thing I’m working on to improve my overall game would have to be pass coverage.”
What is your fastest 40-yard dash time?
“4.6.”
What are your maxes in the weight room?
“My max squat is 405, my max bench is 240, my max deadlift is 485, and my max power clean is 240.”
Is there a current NFL player that you try to model your game after?
“I don’t really have one person that I try to model my game after I take little things from a lot of NFL players.”
What college programs are showing interest in you at this time?
“Grambling, Texas State, McNeese State, Mississippi College, and Southern Arkansas.”
What is your favorite subject in school and why?
“Math or English would have to be my favorite, and I say this because I’ve always been good in those subjects.”
Who has had the biggest impact on your football career and why?
“The people that had the biggest impact on my football career would have to be my family and friends, my junior high coach and high school coaches over the years.”
What do you like most about playing at Natchitoches Central High School?
“The things I like most about playing at my high school is that the community supports us. They motivate us, show us lots of love, and they never give up on us.”
What is your GPA?
“3.25.”
What are your goals for your senior season?
“I want to have more sacks, tackles, tackles for loss, and more pass break ups.”
Thank you for your time and good luck in your senior season.
“Thank you, sir.”
Photo credit: Twitter.com; Natchitoches Central DE Ferman Walker Jr