Georgia man arrested for alleged high school football recruiting scam

A Georgia man has been arrested by Gainesville (Ga.) police for allegedly swindling high school football recruits and their families out of thousands of dollars.

According to a report from Atlanta’s Fox 5 news, 39-year-old Malcolm Walker has been charged with theft by deception after promising high school coaches, recruits and families that he would help the prospects get in contact with college programs.

Walker allegedly collected money from family members and coaches of the athletes for travel and other expenses, but never fulfilled any of his promises to families. That included purported trips to go see college campuses that were never booked.

Investigators say the Hall County man promised families and coaches that he can get their kids to meet college coaches, took their money, and never followed through. He may have victims across Georgia. https://t.co/oN8xpjRw4C

— FOX 5 Atlanta (@FOX5Atlanta) March 11, 2025

“He talks the talk, but, unfortunately, that’s all he’s got going for him. He’s just stealing these people’s money and leaving them with absolutely nothing,” First Lt. Kevin Holbrook of the Gainesville Police Department said.

The original police report was filed by Phyllip Becoats, who said he paid more than $1,000 to Walker to take him and Gainesville High senior B.J. Bailey on a trip to Colorado to meet with coaches and recruiters there. A fellow coach had suggested Becoats reach out to Walker to make him a video for Bailey to get noticed by recruiters.

A few months later, Walker contacted Becoats again and claimed that coaches at the University of Colorado wanted to have Bailey come visit. 

“Man, they want to see your kid bro!” Walker can be heard saying in a voice message.  

Scheduled trip never happened for Becoats and Bailey

Walker collected more than $1,000 to cover the reported cost of airfare, food, hotels and game tickets. But right before the trip was supposed to take place, Walker canceled it and said they would go another time. When Becoats requested that his money be refunded, Walker promised he would but never follow through.

Officers arrested Walker in Gwinnett County last week and booked him into the Hall County Jail. Since then, multiple people have come forward to say Walker used the same scheme on them.

“We’ve been in contact with investigators from far South Georgia to the state line at Valdosta. So he’s been a very busy man,” Holbrook said. 

Holbrook says they believe Walker has stolen at least tens of thousands of dollars, and the investigation is still ongoing.

As for Bailey, he eventually signed with Division III Maryville (Tenn.) and will receive a scholarship with the program.