Ohio State football: Buckeyes battling Mom for D-line recruit

There is a battle for the ages going on for Kissimmee, Florida defensive tackle John Walker. In one corner we have college football’s best defensive line coach, Larry Johnson. In the other corner, we have Mom. Johnson wants to lure Walker to Columbus and make him a part of the Ohio State football team. Mom wants her son to stay close and become a hometown hero for UCF or Florida. It’s Johnson vs. Mom. Buckeyes vs. backyard. This is an epic battle.

Reports indicate Walker really likes the Buckeyes and has forged a solid relationship with Johnson. He says the legendary Buckeye assistant has already given him tips and advice on what to work on during his senior season. Besides Walker’s mom, the biggest push to keep Walker home is coming from UCF.

Head coach Gus Malzahn is selling him on the idea of Walker being the hometown recruit that sets the tone for other local players to choose UCF as well. They’re pretty much throwing everything at him but the kitchen sink. Although they continue to recruit him, it looks like Florida has fallen behind in the race to land Walker.

So, who is John Walker and why is there a battle for him? He’s the number twelve defensive lineman in the 2023 recruiting cycle and a top-100 player according to 247Sports. At 6’3”, 310 pounds he is one of those space-eater, gum-up-the-middle type of players.

247’s scouting report says he has quick feet and is quite nimble for someone his size. Walker has the ability to play on the outside shoulder of the guard (3-technique) or move in and play the outside shoulder of the center (1-technique). His size, athleticism, and versatility as to where he lines up make him a coveted recruit.

There is disagreement among the experts on where Walker will end up. The most recent prediction came Monday from 247’s national recruiting expert, Steve Wiltfong. He says it will be UCF. Sunday night, longtime Ohio recruiting guru Bill Kurelic of Bucknuts said he is sticking with his prediction of the Ohio State football program he made back in early May. Walker is scheduled to make his announcement Thursday.

Johnson vs. Mom. Buckeyes vs. backyard. This one is going to go down to the wire.