Jim Harbaugh already considers Amorion Walker a starter at corner
Two days into spring ball, Amorion Walker is already making a move.
RELATED
Tuesday Thoughts: On Jesse Minter and his interview with the Philadelphia Eagles
Michigan has made some notable position switches during head coach Jim Harbaugh’s tenure, and many of them have paid huge dividends. Last year, Mike Sainristil moved from receiver to cornerback and became one of the team’s most important players on that side of the ball. He made two huge plays (among several other big ones) in the win at Ohio State and got better each week.
Michigan coaches hope it will be more of the same this year with a similar move, and it’s looking good so far. Sophomore Walker is now listed as WR/DB on the roster, but he’s already put himself in position to start opposite Will Johnson at the “other” corner spot.
“I consider him a starter right now just based on the first two practices,” Harbaugh said at his Thursday noon spring presser.
Harbaugh added Walker would play only corner this spring. Once he masters that, then they’ll have discussions about the possibility he’ll be a two-way player.
“There’s no doubt in my mind he would excel and thrive both as a wide receiver and as a defensive back, a corner,” Harbaugh said. “Just really trying to find the absolute best position for him for his career. Where is he going to make the greatest impact over the course of his career … benefit the most from his football ability?
“You just don’t know for sure whether it’s receiver or corner, but the length he has, the athletic ability he has, the speed he has … had the change of direction, mainly, for a guy that’s 6-3, 6-4. It’s rare for a corner to be able to have that length and speed, but also have that change of direction. Just want to find out. That’s what I think — that’s what Coach [Steve Clinkscale] Clink thinks. We’ll see if we’re right.”
Once he gets that position locked down, Harbaugh said — “which I really think he will” — eventually he’ll become a two-way player.
“He can also be a tremendous player as a receiver and score touchdowns. The vision would be that someday he would be a great corner and a receiver, as well, in college. Because he has that kind of ability. The work ethic is so strong with him. Right now he’s chasing strength and power. That will all be put on like you saw Will Johnson do in the 9 months leading up to the season.
“But … just really feel good. Now we’re going to find out if that’s the right and best position for his career. If we’re right, he can be the type of corner … there are none like him. A unicorn. That’s the vision.”
Graduating receiver Ronnie Bell agrees. Bell, last year’s leading receiver, said he felt Walker could be the best up and comer on the team in that room, too. He called him an “alien” in a good way, noting he was different athletically than anyone there.
Walker proved it again this spring with an incredible 6.10-second three-cone drill time.
But corner could be his best position, and it’s where he’s getting a look now. The 6-3 standout has fluid hips and can cover, and he’s showing it in the early going. He said during Fiesta Bowl media day he was open to the move
“Coming into Michigan, I thought I was going to play receiver. That’s what I primarily was [recruited] for. But I’m starting to like DB a lot, too,” Walker told TheWolverine.com at the Fiesta Bowl. “I’m going to have to pick one eventually, or play a little bit of both but one primarily. I like to score touchdowns, but defense is fun, too.
“I’m a big guy, so I can cover a lot of space. I feel like I can run with anybody, and [play] a lot of bump and run [coverage]. As far as offense, same thing — a lot of speed. Can take the top off, get in the crevices when I need to.
“I guess I’ll figure it out.”
He’s well on his way.
