Four-star DT John Walker sets new commitment date, down to five schools
The recruiting finish line is in sight for Kissimmee (Fla.) Osceola defensive tackle John Walker.
On Friday, the four-star prospect announced a commitment date of July 28. He released his top-five schools as well.
Florida, Ohio State, Miami, Michigan and UCF are the schools under strong consideration.
Walker was initially planning to pull himself off the market on Oct. 22; however, like Osceola teammates Derrick LeBlanc and Ja’Keem Jackson, he is now ready to put the recruiting process behind him. All three will be making their commitment on the same day.
UCF, Michigan, Miami and Ohio State received official visits during the month of June. USC was previously included in the itinerary as well, but a late push from the Hurricanes resulted in Miami taking its spot.
As for the Gators, their official visit date is scheduled for Oct. 15, which is the weekend UF welcomes LSU back to Gainesville.
According to On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine, the Gators are trending heavily with a 79.9 percent chance at coming out on top.
“Me and the Florida staff have a good vibe. We just talk about football and things we do outside of football,” Walker previously told Gators Online.
“Coach Spenc, he’s a good coach. I like the way he coaches and the way he explains things and breaks things down. He likes my motor, how I get off the ball and how powerful I am.”
I’m told the Gators feel good about where stand with Walker and that has been the case for several months. A few sources believe that Florida’s biggest competition is UCF, while Ohio State is definitely making noise as well.
This is a tight battle for one of the Sunshine State’s best.
Walker is seeing major changes in Gainesville
Since Billy Napier’s staff arrived in Gainesville, Walker has felt like a major priority for the orange and blue.
The 2023 prospect has already met with staff over a handful times since the start of this year, while the Gators returned the favor by dropping by Osceola multiple times in the spring.
William Peagler stopped by during the first week of the spring evaluation period and then Sean Spencer made an appearance as well.
“Florida, they’re just different now,” Walker said. “They’re trying to change the program around and I feel like they are doing a good job. They’re just doing a good job.”
According to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies, Walker is the No. 10 defensive lineman and No. 92 prospect regardless of position.
Stay tuned to Gators Online.
