California Interview: Corona 2017 RB Talent Malik Walker Prepares for Camp Circuit

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The budding talent that was within running back Malik Walker was finally released during the 2015 season. The Corona High School all-purpose back followed up a sophomore season where he averaged 8.14 yards per carry to rush for 934 yards off 175 carries with 19 scores adding another 100 yards in the passing attack while scoring 22 total touchdowns.

The stat line for the allusive back is there showing what he can do with the ball in his hands. Now Walker (5-10, 180) is set to take the exposure camp and one-day college camp circuit by storm showing what he can do competing against the best of the best. Interest is building with Cal, Colorado, Dartmouth, Humboldt, Connecticut, BYU, Navy, Northern Arizona, and Oregon State all showing different levels of interest. The next challenge is turning all the interest into next level offers.

In an exclusive Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with the California native to go over his junior campaign, his offseason workout goals, and got a camp circuit and recruiting news update.

Interview

Malik, you finally got that chance to show your skill set during your junior season. Looking back, are you pleased with the way that you played in 2015?

“I feel like I could have done better. I feel like I had some missed opportunities. Overall as a team, I think we did well. I had 22 total touchdowns, that was second best in the league, and I made first team All-League.”

How many rushing yards did you end up with last year?

“I think I had 934 yards.”

How many yards in the passing game?

“Somewhere around 110-115.”

With more experience one is bound to get better at their craft. What were some of the things you got better at as a running back last year?

“I think I got smarter about the game and how to play the game. I was taking my leads better, following my blocking, and better focused on my job not worried about what other people are doing. It has always been a goal for me to not going down on first contact. I fight through everything and I did that a lot better during my junior year. Explosiveness is always a key, not dancing around.”

What is the focus of your offseason workouts?

“My main focus is speed and allusiveness. I’m working on getting my 40 down to 4.4.”

What goals have you set for yourself in the offseason?

“I want to gain more weight. I want to get up to 185-190 pounds. I also want to learn more about the game and be a better student of the game. I understand it more now but I want to know it inside and out.”

Have you started to put together your camp schedule yet?

“I’m thinking about a couple but I’m not for sure all the camps I will attend. I know I’m going to Rivals, not sure about Nike. The college camps I’m going to are Colorado, NAU (Northern Arizona), and Oregon State.”

Which schools are showing interest in you right now?

“A couple of schools have come down to meet with me. Dartmouth, Colorado, Humboldt, and UConn are probably showing the most interest. I get stuff from Oregon State, NAU, BYU, and Navy too.”

Did you take any unofficial visits in 2015?

“Yes. I visited Cal, Arizona State, SDSU (San Diego State), and Oregon State. I think that’s it. I can’t remember any others right now.”

During your trips, was there anything that started to open your eyes about the next level, seeing things that you did or did not like?

“I liked all the equipment and training facilities at the different schools. We have good equipment here, I’m not complaining, but everything is so nice with those schools. ASU was really nice, I liked it a lot. The environment was nice there. SDSU was really nice too.”

Are you participating in any spring sports right now?

“No. I ran track in the past but I’m focused on football now.”

How is everything going in the classroom?

“My last GPA was not as high last semester as it was last year. I had a 3.2 last semester but I’m looking to get it back up to 3.8-3.7.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“No. I’m signed up for both in March.”

Taking all the punishment at once I see.

(Laughs) “Yes.”

Malik, great catching up with you again. Good luck with the camps and the ACT and SAT.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: berecruited.com; Malik Walker goes through agility drills.

Photo credit: Walker family; Malik at Cal.

Photo credit: Walker family; Malik at Arizona State.