Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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PREP PROFILES Notre Dame running backs coach Tony Alford has his sights set on land- ing Kareem Walker, one of the country's top running backs in the class of 2016. The 6-1, 210-pounder, who is the No. 20 overall prospect and No. 2 running back nationally according to 247Sports, holds offers from Notre Dame, Alabama, Florida State, Penn State and many other elite programs across the country. However, his rela- tionship with the Irish assistant coach will be hard to top. "We always have really good conver- sations. I really like how he recruits me," Walker said. "We touched on what's best for me and my family and what I'm looking at when picking a school. We talk about how my knowledge of the game has improved this year and how I understand what my linemen are doing and what my receivers are doing each play. "He was telling me how important it is to understand the game and what everyone is doing and how it'll make me a better player." A key in Notre Dame's recruiting ef- forts will be getting the standout run- ning back on campus in South Bend for a visit. Walker states that an official visit to Notre Dame will "definitely" occur during his senior season, but he's hop- ing to visit before his senior year starts. "I can't wait to get up there and just spend time with Coach Alford, and meet the other coaches and players," Walker said. "Coach wants me to get up there for a game during my senior year to check out the campus and just see what it's like up there as a student and a player. "I'll get there for an official, but I think it would be good to get up there for an unofficial in the spring or summer." From all indications, Alford has made a strong impression on Walker. That was evident when he said he could see him- self "playing for someone like Coach Alford." "He's a really nice guy," Walker said of Alford. "He keeps it real. He is straightforward and he's honest with me. He's just a real good guy." Through 10 games of his junior sea- son, Walker had carried the ball 166 times for 1,253 yards and 20 touch- downs. He also had caught nine passes for 150 yards and one score. — Tom Loy Irish Are In The Mix For Elite Junior Running Back KAREEM WALKER ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ DePaul Catholic High School Wayne, N.J. Status: Offered Class: 2016 Position: Running Back Ht.: 6-1 · Wt.: 210 40-Yard Dash: 4.48 247Sports Rankings: No. 20 overall player in the nation, No. 2 running back in the land and No. 2 recruit in New Jersey