J.D. Walton

[Dark Horse]

There's a note on Rivals today about the center from Allen. The profile of J.D. Walton (6-2, 288, 5.12) says he has three favorites, and then asks in the headline if Iowa State fits in. The site lists his schools of interest in the following order:

Arizona State
Utah
SMU
Colorado State
Houston
Iowa State
Louisiana-Laf.
Louisiana-Mon.

Does that mean we're one of the top three for this guy? That would mean two local OLs with good size and who seem pretty highly regarded. That would be a hell of a start for the class!

[Stallion]

Rivals suggest that SMU may be in the lead for Walton. Adequate size and good speed. 6-2, 288 5.12 which is accurate from the Nike camp-projected at center. Utah and Arizona St his other favorites. Offers by SMU, Utah, Ariz. St., Col. St, UH, ISU, La-Laf, and La. Monroe. Hopes to make decision in next 3-4 weeks. BTW today is the beginning of a new contact period so these kids are going to get a better feel about where they stand with some of the big school filling up their lists.

[Pony Up]

That's good to hear about being in the lead. Walton and Enright both project as centers, so clearly one will have to learn to play guard, which shouldn't be a problem (Enright already does - not sure about Walton). Regardless, this would make two beefy, strong OLs in the first portion of the class. And I gather they won't be the last.

Recruiting Guru, Stallion, Lotus, and other recruitniks: how many OLs do you foresee the Ponies signing this year?

[Stallion]

No clearly we need 4 quality centers on the roster-that's how you build depth in case your deep snaper decides to quit the team on August 1 so he can get into law school or your QB quits on August 1 to join a Rock Band. Some of you need to stop looking at recruiting as important only 1 team deep. The top teams have quality 85 men deep. Do you stop recruiting Dickerson because James committed-do you move him to another position? Do you stop recruiting Charles Waggoner, how about Reggie Dupard or Jeff Atkins. Each of those guys played an instrumental role in the program and yet there's only one starter.

[PonyFan]

Great point, Stallion. I'm with you about the depth thing. It's natural that allprograms lose players for one reason for another, and we need to be deep enough that we don't get caught short-handed.

[PerunaPunch]

Yikes! Stallion is starting to make sense to me. Maybe I need more coffee.

[Horseshoe]

Coffee is never optional, Punch.

[BUS]

Stallion IS right. We need to have TWO first team O-lines. We also need 8 playing D-line players.
Depth and grind the opponent into the ground

[Corso]

Stallion was proved right last night. TCU went through four centers in one game.

[Ponymon]

There is another article about Walton today on Rivals. He has been to several SMU games and may not take an official visit because it is so close to home. He has offers from a pair of current top 25 programs in Arizona State and Utah, plus Iowa State. Walton is also interested in SMU and Colorado State and he recently added an offer from Rice. Houston, Louisiana-Monroe and Louisiana-Lafayette round out his list of offers.
Rivals lists his stats as follows:

Allen (TX)

Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 288 pounds
40-yard dash: 5.12 seconds
Bench max: 300 pounds
Squat max: 400 pounds
Vertical leap: 20 inches

[Silk]

.... He just received an offer from Rivals ....

Huh? An offer from Rivals?

What other schools are after him? 5.12 in the 40 isn't bad for an OL.

[Corso]

There is another article about Walton today on Rivals. He has been to several SMU games and may not take an official visit because it is so close to home. He has offers from a pair of current top 25 programs in Arizona State and Utah, plus Iowa State. Walton is also interested in SMU and Colorado State and he recently added an offer from Rice. Houston, Louisiana-Monroe and Louisiana-Lafayette round out his list of offers.
Rivals lists his stats as follows:

Allen (TX)

Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 288 pounds
40-yard dash: 5.12 seconds
Bench max: 300 pounds
Squat max: 400 pounds
Vertical leap: 20 inches

So after a couple of years with Coach Faucette, we're looking at an OL who goes 6'2" & 305, runs a 5.1 or 5.2, benches close to 400 and squats 500-plus.
I'll take him.