TheShiver.com’s newest addition to the writing team, Chris Priddy, made his way to the Nike Football Training Camp this past weekend and spent a few minutes chatting with quarterback Jacoby Walker.
The Shiver had a chance to catch up with one of the Jayhawks most coveted quarterback recruits for the class of 2010 at the Nike Football Training Camp at Rice University in Houston, TX. Jacoby Walker from Westfield High School in Spring, TX had a fantastic camp and proved he is on the same level as the other top prospects in the state of Texas. It was obvious to all in attendance that Walker is an elite prospect as a dual threat quarterback. Through various drills he demonstrated phenomenal footwork and a great arm with extreme accuracy. Even though he felt he may have missed a couple of passes throughout the day, his performance was arguably as good as any of the top quarterbacks in attendance.
The Shiver wanted to find what was new in the recruiting process for Jacoby and especially how KU is fitting into the process. Walker said his current list is Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State, Syracuse, University of Houston, Nebraska and Oklahoma State.
When asked asked how he felt about the Jayhawks, Walker responded,
“I really like them, I went up and visited on April 11 for the spring game and I really liked it and have been keeping in touch with Coach Reagan and he came by and visited me during the spring period and was really excited.”
Walker said he has not set a date for an official visit to Lawrence and is waiting to see what his season schedule looks like before planning on returning for an official visit.
What is it he likes about the Kansas offense?
”I like how they spread the ball and how they get it to their athletes and they are an up and coming program in a tough conference in the Big XII,” Walker said.
The Shiver asked Walker if he had any advice given to him from another former Texas High School Quarterback, Todd Reesing.
“Yes, I got to talk to him after the spring game and he just told me that KU isn’t like some of the other power programs where you come in and a national championship is expected, at KU if you can come in and win a championship you’d be on a pedestal for doing something that has never been done before…you could create a legacy there,” Walker said about his conversation with Todd Reesing.
Asked specifically about trimming his list of schools he said he was hopeful to have it cut down soon and he hopes to commit this summer so he can focus solely on his senior year of high school. He did mention that he is gaining the interest of a few late entries in the Jacoby Walker sweepstakes. Recently he has heard from Wake Forest, South Florida, Mississippi State and Miami.
With several schools calling on Walker where exactly do the Jayhawks stand in the mix? “Kansas is my leader” replied Walker when asked who his leader was.
“Kansas is my leader, I’ve been there and have been in a lot of contact with Coach Reagan.”
Walker says some of the things that appeal to him with continuing his career at Kansas, notably the opportunity to come in a play soon, the opportunity to help take the program to another level and the family atmosphere that surrounds the football program amongst the players and coaches. He also was impressed with Lawrence and the feeling that the college community gave him and he noted the passion the Kansas fans seem to have about the up and coming Kansas Football Program. We will keep our eyes on this highly skilled quarterback as the recruiting process moves forward into his senior season at Westfield High.
