Behind the Scenes of John Walker’s Transfer Decision
John Walker, the highest-rated recruit in UCF football history, announced Tuesday his plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal.
The 6-foot-4, 324-pound defensive tackle from Kissimmee’s Osceola High School was one of the crown jewels of UCF’s 2023 signing class — a major win on the trail for then-head coach Gus Malzahn. Walker, a four-star prospect, chose the hometown Knights over a final five that included Florida, Miami, Michigan and Ohio State. His final decision ultimately came down to UCF and Florida, and his commitment was seen as a defining moment for UCF’s recruiting brand as it entered the Big 12.
Walker made an immediate impression as a true freshman in 2023, playing in all 13 games and totaling 24 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, a pass breakup and a pass defended. His performance earned him recognition as an On3 True Freshman All-American, validating the hype surrounding his recruitment.
Injuries slowed his development in 2024, as a torn meniscus forced him to the sideline and led to a redshirt season. But he bounced back in 2025 under a new coaching staff but the same position coach in Kenny Martin, reemerging as a consistent contributor. Now a full-time starter, he recorded a career-high 40 tackles, including three tackles for loss, one sack and one forced fumble.
For more background, context and inside information on the details regarding Walker’s exit, visit my post on our Dungeon message board.
LINK: Behind the Scenes of John Walker’s Transfer Decision
