By John Peres

Special contributor to PonyFans.com

Receiver Shelby Walker is an electrifying target in the Lamar passing game, averaging 19.2 yards per catch in his junior season (photo by Lamar High School).

Wide receiver Shelby Walker of Houston's Lamar High School pulled the trigger on his 2014 commitment to the Mustangs early, giving a verbal the day after his quarterback Darrell Colbert did the same back in February.

“I chose SMU because they offered early,” Walker said. “The SMU offer meant a lot because it was at the first camp I went to. Houston did not offer me early, even though I had already been to several of their camps.”

Walker chose SMU over offers from Boise State, Michigan State, Utah, Tulsa and eventually Houston. Walker said that another one of the reasons he chose the Mustangs was his future position coach, Jason Phillips.

“(Phillips) is honest,” Walker said. “I can count on him to be up front with me. He will always tell me like it is.”

Further solidifying Walker’s decision to choose SMU was the university’s prestigious academic reputation. Walker said that like many young players, he has dreams of playing professionally, but also said he realizes the value of having a solid degree as a backup plan.

“I would love to go pro, obviously — that would be great if it works out,” Walker said. “But the school speaks for itself. If football does not work out, I’ll have a degree to fall back on. They say if you have a degree from SMU, you can get a job anywhere in Texas.”

The 6-0, 175-pound Walker runs a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash, but is also deceptively agile. He excels at getting separation off the line of scrimmage and is willing to fight for the ball in tight spaces. But among his best attributes is the fact that he embraces the long forgotten art of the wide receiver: blocking.

“If I had to pick out one thing about my game, it would be my ability to stretch the field,” he said. “(Defenders) underestimate me and try to jam me up, but I can match anyone across from me.”

His highlight reels and stats back up his statement. He may have had only 538 receiving yards his junior year, but was an explosive weapon on an offense that features a lot of potent weapons: he averaged 19.2 yards per catch on his way to six touchdowns. Walker is very confident that his touches will grow this year.

“We will pass more, the more we become in sync during 7-on-7’s this offseason,” he said.

Lamar went deep into the 5A Div. I playoffs last season, making it all the way to the title game before being knocked off by Allen, 35-21. Playing in 5A Div. I in Texas, Walker has matched up against some of the best that high school football has to offer. Add the fact that he played for regional power Lamar, you get the recipe for a receiver who knows what it takes to win.