5-star LB Zayden Walker locks in commitment date
His recruitment has been going on since middle school. Zayden Walker was a name coming out of middle school many in the state of Georgia knew about. The five-star linebacker out of Ellaville (Ga.) Schley County has lived up to the hype.
The No. 19 prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking has all of the offers. Walker can pick up the phone, call just about any head coach and commit. But after taking visits for around three years and building strong relationships with coaches, Walker has narrowed his list to Georgia, Miami, Penn State and South Carolina.
He will commit to one of those schools on July 5.
“That date just gives me time after my official visits to come home, think about it and make the right decision,” Walker told On3. “The official visits will play a big role in my decision, so I want to soak it all in, listen to the different coaches and think about it a little before I commit.”
Walker will visit Georgia on May 31 officially. Before then, he will trip to Athens for an unofficial visit on May 18. Penn State gets the second official visit on June 7, then Miami on June 14 and South Carolina on June 21.
“Going into the visits, Georgia and South Carolina have a little edge, but Miami and Penn State are still high on my list too.
“It comes down to the relationships and my future. I want that chance to play, be developed as a player and life after football is something I am looking at when I make the decision.”
Walker has visited Georgia over 10 times. South Carolina, where his brother, Jalewis Solomon signed in 2024, has had him on campus around 10 times. He has visited Miami 3-4 times and it will be his first time to Penn State.
Walker talks Georgia, Miami, Penn State and South Carolina
Georgia: “It just feels like family up there. Everyone knows me. From Kirby Smart to the recruiting girls that help the program, everyone knows me. It makes me very comfortable. Me and Coach Schu (Glenn Schumann) have a tight bond too.”
Miami: “I love the fire at Miami. The staff shows a lot of love and they have a lot of energy. I love Coach D Nic (Derek Nicholson) and how he coaches, how he recruits me and all the energy he brings. Coach Mario Cristobal is turning that program around.”
Penn State: “I am really cool with DJ Bryant (Recruiting Coordinator) and I like Coach Tom Allen a lot. I haven’t visited Penn State, so I don’t know as much about them, but I like how they have recruited me and I want to see what it is like.”
South Carolina: “I have a chance to go into South Carolina and play right away. They are losing three linebackers, so that has my attention. I love Coach Shane Beamer too. I got to know him while they recruited my brother and we have a great relationship. Coach Clayton White and I have a strong relationship too.”