Washington’s Walker looking to improve entering senior season
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Monday, July 23, 2018 | 9:51 PM
Mike Bosnic has been coaching high school football for many years, but the Washington High School coach said Daniel Walker Jr. has the best balls skills he has seen.
“I haven’t coached an athlete that breaks on the ball like he does,” Bosnic said. “And he has great closing speed. He’s a special player.”
Walker plays wide receiver and free safety for the Prexies. And while he’s worked hard this summer on becoming a better receiver, he’s being recruited by numerous NCAA Division I programs as a free safety.
It’s the position he loves.
“I love playing defense and being physical on defense,” Walker said. “I like to hit people. I also like being able to patrol the field and read the quarterbacks.”
Walker helped Washington win the WPIAL Class AA title in 2017, but the Prexies came up a game short of earning a trip to Hershey for the state title game.
The goal this season is to win another WPIAL title and reach the PIAA Class AA final.
“We have some young players who have to step up,” Walker said. “But Hershey is the goal. Hopefully, we can achieve it.”
Walker also is an offensive threat for Washington. He caught 33 passes for 617 yards and scored 12 touchdowns as a junior.
He moved back to Washington from Georgia before his junior season.
“Some of the plays he makes on offense are incredible,” Bosnic said. “He has great hands. He’s made a few one-hand grabs.”
But Walker said he’s been working on his speed and catching this season.
He also visited some colleges, but he can’t wait to visit more with his family.
Other than playing football, Walker likes playing basketball on the playground. He doesn’t play for the high school, he just wants to go out and have fun.
But he’s all business on the football field.
Daniel Walker Jr.
School: Washington
Class: Senior
Ht/Wt: 6-2/212
Positions: WR/S
Stars: 3
Committed: Undecided
Division I offers: Cincinnati, Delaware, Eastern Michigan, Louisville, Miami (Ohio), Ohio, Robert Morris, Temple, Youngtown State.
2017 stats: 2 carries, 11 yards; 33 catches, 617 yards, 12 touchdowns
Paul Schofield is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Paul at pschofield@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Schofield_Trib.
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