The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MARCH 2023 THE WOLVERINE 65 COMMITMENT PROFILE BY ZACH LIBBY M ichigan made a statement on the recruiting trail in early Febru- ary when Buford (Ga.) High linebacker Mantrez Walker became the second ver- bal commit of the Big Ten champion's class of 2025. "I'm feeling good about it," Walker said on Feb. 11. "Now, I'm going to con- tinue to work and continue to prove why I'm a Michigan commit. I'm going to bring a good attitude to the program and help them win a national champion- ship." Walker, now 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, started as a sophomore at Mike line- backer for Buford, a talent-rich Atlanta metropolitan high school that produces Power Five prospects annually. Buford finished 11-1 last year, falling in the second round of the Georgia Class 7A playoffs after winning three consecutive state titles. Walker picked Michigan over a top- four list that featured LSU, Florida and Penn State. He also held offers from Ohio State, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Cin- cinnati, South Carolina, Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and UCF. His decision came nearly two months following the Wolverines' scholarship offer. "I pretty much always knew who I wanted to play for," Walker said. "When I got the Michigan offer, I really cher- ished it. When I went up there for my visit, I left with the same level of love that I always had. "I also wasn't really trying to stress out over the recruitment process. I knew in my heart where I wanted to go. So, I thought, why not commit?" Head coach Jim Harbaugh and defen- sive coordinator Jesse Minter delivered offers to Walker and three of his Buford teammates while the pair made an in- school visit just before National Signing Day in December. Walker made his first visit to Ann Ar- bor a month later, getting to meet with the entire defensive staff, including for- mer linebackers coach George Helow and assistant linebackers coach LaTroy Lewis. "It means a lot knowing that Coach Harbaugh actually played at Michigan," Walker said. "He knows what it takes to be a Wolverine. He played in the NFL, so he has the experience and a winning mindset. He's a risk taker and is the type of coach who I want to play for. "I have a great relationship with Coach Lewis. He's a very good guy and gives it to me straightforward. I have a great relationship with Coach Minter too." Walker is expected to return to cam- pus after the February dead period to be around the team and watch some of spring practice. He will be able to spend time with newly hired Michigan line- backers coach Chris Partridge as well. "Coach Partridge will be a great addi- tion," Walker said. "He's very defensive- minded, and I know that'll help every- one on that side of the ball." Wa l k e r j o i n s H o l l y wo o d ( F l a . ) C h a m i n a d e - M a d o n n a c o r n e r b a c k Chris Ewald Jr. — On3's No. 5 corner- back and No. 30 prospect nationally — as the first two commitments in Michi- gan's 2025 class. "To be a leader, a hard worker, some- one who's going to make an early im- pact in order for us to win a national championship," Walker said when asked about his goals. "Someone who'll leave a legacy at Michigan and be one of the greatest linebackers to ever suit up at Michigan." ❏ Georgia Linebacker Mantrez Walker Becomes U-M's Second 2025 Commit Walker started at middle linebacker in 2022 for Buford (Ga.) High, an Atlanta-area power- house that has won three of the last four 7A state championships. PHOTO COURTESY ON3.COM PLAYER EVALUATION Strengths: Walker has a solid build at 215 pounds heading into his ju- nior season. A tackling machine with sheer physicality in the run game, he matches up well against running backs and takes on linemen who come up to the second level with proper hand fighting tech- nique and change of direction to maneuver past blockers. Areas of Improvement: Height for true inside linebackers isn't as much of a worry as opposed to play- ers positioned at the Will or down on the line of scrimmage as an edge rusher. Walker started his sopho- more season at 5-foot-11 but grew two inches since the beginning of last fall. Because of that growth spurt, he should now be able to in- crease his leverage going against offensive linemen in the trenches or walling up route runners in zone or man coverage. Player Comparison: Joe Bolden. Fans will remember the former team captain for his actions inside Spar- tans Stadium when he drove a stake through the playing surface in 2014, but the Ohio native finished his ca- reer at Michigan with 270 tackles. Walker, who will also play the Mike in college, is a leader for his power- house squad at Buford, despite be- ing an underclassman. His early U-M commitment shows that he wants to carry on that leader role at Michi- gan. That's exactly what occurred over Bolden's career and what is happening now with Junior Colson. — Zach Libby