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Four-Star ATH J.R. Walker Commits to Virginia Tech

Houshun Gaines Entrance 1
Sometimes, recruiting brings some major surprises with four-star ATH J.R. Walker bringing one of the college football recruiting trail's biggest surprises of the fall to date. https://twitter.com/jaayrwalker_/status/1050784356397211649 Four-star ATH/DB J.R. Walker announced today that he has committed to Virginia Tech over heavy favorite N.C. State, South Carolina, and others. Walker is the fourth consensus four-star recruit to commit to the Hokies in the 2019 class and the second commit from the state of North Carolina alongside three-star WR Elijah Bowick. Walker's commitment comes after he visited Blacksburg for Virginia Tech's Saturday night game against Notre Dame. That visit appeared to be a game changer for the Hokies in a recruitment where all signs pointed towards him going to N.C. State. Walker projects as a safety for the Hokies with the four-star athlete potentially having the opportunity to come in early and compete for playing time at free safety behind Divine Deablo. Long term, Walker has the potential to be a starting safety with Walker being the first certain safety in this class (though Nyquee Hawkins could end up at either CB or S in college). Walker's commitment gives the Hokies another momentum boost and continues VT's impressive run of success in the state of North Carolina under Justin Fuente after landing multiple four-star recruits from NC last year including Dax Hollifield and Tre Turner, both of whom have received significant playing time as true freshman in 2018. Congrats to J.R. Walker on his commitment to Virginia Tech.

J.R. Walker in the Recruiting Rankings

247 Sports, ESPN, and the 247 Sports Composite all rate Walker as a four-star recruit while Rivals rates him as a three-star recruit. Nationally, Walker is ranked as the 174th best recruit by 247 Sports and 314th best recruit by the 247 Sports Composite. 247 Sports also ranks Walker as the ninth best athlete while the 247 Sports Composite ranks him as the 17th best athlete, and Rivals ranks him as the 33rd best athlete. ESPN has Walker listed as the 28th best safety in the country.

Within North Carolina, Walker is one of the state's top 13 recruits by ESPN, 247 Sports, and the 247 Sports Composite with 247 Sports ranking him the highest in North Carolina at sixth.

J.R. Walker's Offer List (According to 247 Sports)

  • ACC: Virginia Tech, Clemson, Duke, NC State, North Carolina, Virginia, Wake Forest
  • SEC: South Carolina, Tennessee
  • Big 10: Maryland, Michigan State
  • AAC: East Carolina
  • Sun Belt: Appalachian State

Photo Credit: Harley Taylor

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