Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com MARCH 2021 55 2021 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE Justin Walters' Traits Make For A Clear Positional Projection BY PATRICK ENGEL In a 2021 Notre Dame defensive back class loaded with versatile play- ers, Justin Walters is unique in his rather clear projection. The three-star recruit from Boling- brook (Ill.) High School is destined to be a safety at the next level. If by some chance he ends up anywhere else, it's at a linebacker/safety/slot defender hybrid position rather than cornerback. Either one is the ideal fit for his frame and physicality. Walters is in his comfort zone pa- trolling the middle of the field and crunching receivers who come near him. He's effective against the run because he can knife through traffic. Turn on his film, and his usage comes exclusively in those areas as a strong or free safety. Not present on tape, though, is work at cornerback or in man-to- man coverage. His collegiate impact and ceiling may be determined by how well he can run with receivers downfield and his fluidity in cover- age. It could be the difference from being an early-down thumper or an every-down player. Those who know Walters insist absence on film doesn't equate to lack of ability. "The knock may be that he can't [play man-to-man]," said Walters' trainer, Pete Houlihan, a former de- fensive back at Eastern Illinois Uni- versity. "But it's not that he can't do it, he's just doing what he's supposed to do for his high school team, which is to disrupt, be a monster in the box and be a dog, find the ball and go get the ball. That's it. "Justin can be a guy who can play on the hash and can play in the box." Walters didn't have a senior season to display it. Illinois did not play high school football in 2020, instead punting the season to March and April. Walters enrolled at Notre Dame for the spring semester and skipped his final season of high school ball. First up at Notre Dame is about six weeks with strength coach Matt Balis before spring practice to add to his 6-1, 175-pound frame. "I haven't played football in so long," Walters said. "It's going to be so different, especially since I'm go- ing to the next level. "I can't wait to transform myself into a college athlete." That process started before he left for South Bend. His work during the pandemic was dedicated toward get- ting himself college ready instead of putting on pads or playing in seven- on-seven games. Man-to-man reps are part of the regimen with Houlihan at WIN Performance training center in Chi- cago's northern suburbs. Houlihan puts Walters through the same work he does with his college and NFL clients. "I train every day but it's not super football focused — it's weight and speed training," Walters said. Work geared toward improving some areas, but also maintaining his strengths — which landed him nearly 25 offers in the first place. Tackling ability, instincts, operating in space and downhill playmaking are plenty valuable in their own right. So is attitude. "He's the most advanced, humble, good high school football player I've ever been around," Houlihan said, "and I've been around some dogs. It's so natural for him. God created him to play football." ✦ Walters' positional fit at safety is one of the easiest to identify among Notre Dame's 2021 signees. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND JUSTIN WALTERS SAFETY 6-1 · 175 BOLINGBROOK H.S. BOLINGBROOK, ILL. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ — 38 8 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 57 17 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 56 16 NOTABLE • Born on March 4, 2003. • 2019 Joliet Herald-News All-Area team. • Chicago Sun Times' 2019 Preseason Top 10 Defensive Players. • No. 4 player in 2021 Illinois player rankings per PrepRedZone.com. • 2019 Bolingbrook Academic Excellence Award. • Also played baseball and basketball in high school. • His brother Brandon is a running back at Army. • His older sister Kayla runs track at Miami (Ohio). • Intends to major in business. RECRUITMENT • Offered by Notre Dame in September 2019, shortly after visiting for the Irish's blow- out victory against New Mexico. • Became Notre Dame's first defensive back commitment of the class when he committed on Feb. 2, 2020 after a campus visit. • Picked Notre Dame over Boston College, Cincinnati, Colorado, Georgia Tech, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska and Wisconsin, among others. • Recruited by former safeties coach Terry Joseph. 2021 PROJECTION • Walters is likely to redshirt during his true freshman season. THEY SAID IT Rivals Midwest recruiting analyst Josh Helmholdt: "Walters is the type of safety who puts fear in wide receivers when they come across the middle of the field. There is also little concern about his instincts for the posi- tion; his read and reaction time is excellent. "Size, speed and movement skills do not look to be a concern, but those are elements you cannot get a true feel for until you're able to pair up in-person evaluations with film evaluations." National recruiting analyst Tom Lemming: "Walters shows a smooth backpedal and a good burst. He's a very confident pass defender and exceptional run stuffer who can turn his hips and accelerates quickly to the ball. "He has outstanding potential at either free or strong safety. This young man loves to hit, is very physical and plays the game downhill. His ability to fill holes and play in the box from his safety position is outstanding."