2025 LB Mantrez Walker announces top five schools

Buford (Ga.) three-star linebacker Mantrez Walker backed off his commitment to Michigan on Sept. 11. Since then, five other schools have made a substantial impact in his recruitment. 

Those programs – Colorado, LSU, Miami, Ole Miss and Penn State – will be Walker’s finalists going forward. The 5-foot-11, 215-pound recruit has visited all of these schools at least once, including the Nittany Lions and Rebels multiple times. Some of Walker’s recent trips have included unofficial visits to Ole Miss on Feb. 3 and Miami on Jan. 20. 

“What made these five stand out is that they’ve been recruiting me for the longest,” Walker told On3. “I’ve been to all of these schools and these coaches have laid it out for me about where they see me in their program. They want me for me. I just feel like these are the five schools that are best for me.” 

Walker hopes to make a decision on his college destination in the next few months. He has already set an official visit to Colorado from April 26-April 28. He is eyeing trips to his other four top schools in the spring, including to Penn State for its spring game on April 13 and Ole Miss for a spring practice. 

All five schools have recently made trips to Walker’s high school. He feels like a priority to each of these programs. Despite some time remaining before his decision, the No. 48 player in Georgia already knows what he is looking for in a school. 

“What’s going to be the most important for me is the relationships with the coaches and where they see me in their program,” said Walker, the No. 472 overall prospect and No. 51 linebacker in the 2025 On3 Industry Ranking. “I want to be at a place where I can go and leave a legacy. I want to go where I have a fair chance to play when I come in as a freshman too.

“Whoever gives me that opportunity and a place where I can go and thrive academically and have a good chance to go to the league and compete for national championships is what I am looking for.” 

Walker breaks down his top five schools

Colorado: “Colorado is probably the school that reaches out to me the most ever since they started recruiting me. It’s been every day, every morning… (Linebackers) coach (Andre’) Hart, he’s made it clear to me that I’m his No. 1 prospect and I’m No. 1 on his board. He said that I can come in and play early on day one. I would have to compete, but for him saying that he could plug me in right now as an 18-year-old coming out of my senior year, I like that a lot. Then, it’s the opportunities at Colorado by being under somebody like (head coach Deion Sanders) and expanding your brand. 

“With all of his NFL connections and being around a Hall of Famer, what kid wouldn’t want to play under somebody that went through everything that you went through?… In Colorado, it’s so nice with the environment and the clear air. It’s something different from coming from north Georgia. I like the love from the staff and I feel like they’re headed in nothing but the right direction and nothing but up.” 

LSU: “It’s different down there. The defense is known for being violent and has had players like Patrick Queen and Harold Perkins. I know LSU is always going to be LSU. I know (head coach) Brian Kelly is going to bring the program in the right direction. They’re bringing in the Missouri defensive coordinator (Blake Baker) and they were very good on defense last year. I saw that with their games against Ohio State and Georgia. I feel like I would fit good under that coach. 

“Keylan Moses, a linebacker that’s committed there right now, me and him have known each other since we were young. He’s been on me about joining him in The Boot. With them having the No. 1 2025 recruiting class right now, I feel like they’re moving way back in the right direction. I feel like I could come in and be a pivotal part in getting them back to where they need to be.”  

Miami: “They have kept close contact with me and I love how their staff reaches out. It could be from a recruiting coordinator to the head coach. That visit showed me the scene at Miami and the opportunities and history at Miami. Ray Lewis went there, who is the greatest linebacker in NFL history in my opinion. (Jonathan) Vilma and a lot of other guys went through there from my position and made an impact. I feel like I could go up there and have a legacy as well. 

“A player in their class, Elijah Melendez, has been on me a lot. He has been contacting me and wants to play with me, so it would be cool to go there with another great player that I can play beside and build a legacy at Miami. (Linebackers) coach (Derek) Nicholson is a fired-up, energetic guy and I love his passion for coaching. With him playing the position at Florida State, that’s a lot of knowledge coming from somebody who played the game. (Head) coach (Mario) Cristobal, him wanting to coach at Miami and that being his dream job, I can see him bringing the U back. With the big class they just signed, I feel like they’re moving in the right direction.” 

Ole Miss: “Ole Miss, as a whole, has NFL production. I like (head coach) Lane Kiffin’s mindset and them having a winning culture. They have defensive masterminds with (defensive coordinator/linebackers) coach (Pete) Golding and (safeties) coach (Wes) Neighbors, who were part of the Alabama defense that coached Reuben Foster and they coached under Nick Saban when they won a national championship with a violent defense. That’s something that I would like to play for and I see that I can produce a lot under those guys.” 

Penn State: “What stands out about Penn State is their tradition of having guys at my position. I feel like I fit their room. They compare me to Kobe King a lot, the guy in the middle who plays MIKE and calls the shots. They’ve been showing me love from freshman year until now. That means a lot… (Head coach) James Franklin’s stability with him having an almost lifetime contract at Penn State is something I can count on. Everything up there is good. They have NFL production. They’re very big academically and have a 93% graduation rate. That’s important to me and my family. Them playing Big Ten football and consistently being known for a great defense and leading in total defense last year has stuck out to me.”