Walker gives Arizona his commitment over ASU, many others
Last week at Pac-12 Media Days Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez singled out the offensive and defensive lines as the two biggest positions of need for his team as it goes through the 2018 recruiting cycle. The Wildcats have struggled to find the right mix of players along the defensive line, but in the 2017 class the coaching staff made strides with the defensive end group. Still, it is the interior of the defensive line where the Wildcats want to add size and more speed.
UA has two senior starters who will have to be replaced next year and finding defensive tackles who have the potential to develop in the program but could also help right away if needed is going to be key in this class.
The Wildcats can sleep a little easier now after receiving word Tuesday that three-star defensive tackle Josh Walker would be coming to Tucson.
"I just got really tired of prolonging it," he said Tuesday after announcing his college choice. "I've been knowing for a while that I was going there. The relationships with me and coach (Vince) Amey and coach (Rich) Rodriguez really took over. Those are relationships I know are best for me and my future and going to U of A is the best decision I ever made."
The 6-foot-2, 285-pound prospect from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida announced his decision via Twitter Tuesday morning ending what has been an interesting recruitment.
"This game means so much to me because I always envisioned playing on the big stage as a young child," Walker wrote. "I've always wanted to provoke change and do what others never imagined. One of my favorite quotes when going through this recruiting process that I prided myself on standing by was, 'be comfortable being uncomfortable' and that is why I've decided to become a "West Coast Wildcat" at the University of Arizona."
It was a big of a surprising move from Walker who planned to announce his decision in the last few days only to not do so and he also had a decision date of Aug. 16 out there as well since he wanted to commit on his father's birthday. He ended up doing neither and he also picked a school that wasn't part of his final list. Just last week Walker mentioned that he was looking hardest at Arizona State, Wake Forest and Minnesota with the Sun Devils being the school most of his teammates at IMG felt he would be picking whenever he decided.
Instead he went with the Wildcats becoming the most important piece to Arizona's 2018 class so far.
Walker became the ninth member of the class for UA with his commitment and the fifth on the defensive side of the ball. In addition to the schools mentioned above he ultimately chose Arizona over offers from Notre Dame, UCLA, Vanderbilt, North Carolina and Nebraska.
“My senior season at IMG, I hope to stay healthy, have a great year, graduate early and then just get ready for step two," the Georgia native told ScarletNation.com this spring. "My goals for college are to start as a true freshman, hopefully graduate within three years and pursue whatever God has next for me in life.”