Rickards defensive back Tyler Walker Jr is staying close to home for his college future.
The upcoming senior cornerback verbally committed to UCF on Sunday, less than 24 hours after completing his official visit to Orlando, giving the Knights another addition from one of the Big Bend’s top defensive prospects.
“The reason I picked UCF is that it felt like home,” Walker told the Tallahassee Democrat. “The coaches took care of me, my parents feel like I’m in good hands, and it’s not too far away but not too close.”
Walker has seen his recruiting stock rise throughout the offseason following a standout junior campaign. He led Rickards with 53 total tackles, including four tackles for loss and two sacks. He also recorded two pass breakups and an interception.
The 5-foot-10, 176-pound defensive back is rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports, which assigns him an 83 overall rating. Before choosing UCF, Walker also held offers from Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, Colorado and Georgia Tech, among others.
Rickards coach Quintin Lewis said Walker’s development on and off the field has helped him reach the Division I level.
“We always knew that Tyler was going to be great at playing the cornerback position,” Lewis said.
“Once he matured, his football IQ got where it needed to be, his maturity got where it needed to be, and now he’s reaping the benefits of it.”
Walker will enter his senior season as one of Rickards’ defensive leaders and one of the area’s most highly recruited prospects.
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Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics and Big Bend Preps for the Tallahassee Democrat. If you like to pitch a story on a high school athlete, don’t hesitate to get in touch with him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Rickards CB Tyler Walker Jr. commits to UCF football after official visit
Reporting by Peter Holland Jr., Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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By Peter Holland Jr., Tallahassee Democrat | USA TODAY Network
