Mario Walker

[leopold]

Rivals is reporting that we have landed this 6-2, 220 lb. TE from Marshall.

[DallasDiehard]

What's the story with this guy? From what I've been able to read, he's extremely athletic (and he's from Phil Bennett's hometown). But I can't begin to guess how big he is. I've seen him listed everywhere from 6-0 to 6-4. Any East Texas folks seen the guy?

[OC Mustang]

I grew up in Marshall. My dad says he's a good TE. He didn't give specifics, but then again, since the kids all graduated and moved away, they haven't paid the attention that they used to to the football team.

Marshall as a team went 2-3 in their first 5 games to go on to play (but lost) in the title 4A game to Ennis. They played Kilgore, the state champion in the other 4A division, to a standstill during regular district play, losing by 1 point. So, they are not a slouch program, and if that ever has any correlation to the quality of players, then I imagine Walker will be a good addition to the mix.

Interesting you mention Bennett being from Marshall.
A little trivia... Bennett actually attributes his start in football to a fellow originally from Marshall named Dan Moreman (see DC article when Bennett was hired). Moreman played OL for SMU in 1966 before he want on to coach football and then build his own insurance agency in Shreveport LA. The reason that I know this is that Dan Moreman Jr. graduated with me from SMU, was my roommate for a couple of years, and is now my oldest son's godfather.

Again, useless trivia, but it is fun to tell. I do not know whether Coach Bennett realized that the guy who got him into football in the first place played at the school Bennett now coaches at.

[Ponymon]

Good article today in Rivals. He visited SMU last weekend, expected and had a great time, and committed.

"It will be a good program to be part of. They are recruiting me as a tight end. That's what I play and they are recruiting me for that position. We'll see what all happens, but that is the plan right now."

[Ponymon]

BTW, Lemming's preseason Summer 2004 issue had Walker rated at 3 stars and the 6th best tight end in the state. "has the potential to become an impact player at the TE position. On Film-He whows good hands, is an excellent blocker, does a good job of using his body to shield defenders from the ball and is a tough, physical blocker. He does a good job of getting into position and staying with his blocks. The key to his game is his receiving skills, Marco does a good job of running with the ball after the catch." GPA 3.4, Benches 275, 4.6 forty.

[Hal]

How's this for a comparison? Heard a radio guy out here talking about some east Texas guys who are getting D-I scholarships, and he mentioned Walker. He said Walker reminds him somewhat of David Boston. Not the sleek, smooth David Boston who played at Ohio State. He said Walker brings images of the CURRENT David Boston. Of course, Walker's nowhere near as large as Boston (because he's not a walking pharmacy), but the radio guy said they have similar styles. He said Walker is really more of a big WR, rather than a pure TE. He said Marshall has big, soft hands, runs good routes and catches everything near him. Said he's not a pure sprinter, but runs pretty well .... preferring to run THROUGH defenders, rather than around them. Sounds like a pretty appealing description.

[Ponymon]

Pretty much confirms Lemmings description of him and the 3 star rating.

[50's PONY]

And -- today -- Saturday -- was named first team all state!

[DallasDiehard]

And -- today -- Saturday -- was named first team all state!

By who? Associated Press? Newspaper?

Congratulations, Mario! Welcome to SMU!

Mitch Enright also was first-team all-state, I think. Not bad!

[Stallion]

Walker was measured at 6-0, 222 4.62 by Rivals. He's not really a big receiver. SMU told him he would be used first at TE which really will probably be more of a HB position at SMU.

[DallasDiehard]

BTW, Lemming's preseason Summer 2004 issue had Walker rated at 3 stars and the 6th best tight end in the state. "has the potential to become an impact player at the TE position. On Film-He whows good hands, is an excellent blocker, does a good job of using his body to shield defenders from the ball and is a tough, physical blocker. He does a good job of getting into position and staying with his blocks. The key to his game is his receiving skills, Marco does a good job of running with the ball after the catch." GPA 3.4, Benches 275, 4.6 forty.

Heard he recently benched 285, for what it's worth.

[PonyFan]

Anyone know where a link to the AP all-state teams can be found?
Couldn't find one.
Thanks

[Ponymon]

Well, I guess Mario has added a couple of inches since the Nike camp since we list him at 6-2, 233 lbs. I believe that Texas Football had him at 6-3. I also noticed that Rivals measurements were off significantly on Patrick Handy, whom we list at 6-2, 250 lbs. Rivals listed him at 6-4, 300 lbs. Don't know how they could be off by so much, but maybe some of their ratings are inaccurate also if they can't get the measurements of these athletes right!

[Stallion]

Geez yeah I've never seen a university overstate the height and weights of its recruits!!!!!! Most of Rivals measurements are actual measurements done during summer camp rather than coaches hearsay. 90% of the time the coaches hearsay is wrong. However, I'll admit there is always the possibility they have grown since last summer. Some like Handy never went to the camps-my advice is to guess on the low side if you don't want to be disappointed.

[Corso]

So the coaches don't measure guys, either with a measuring tape or by standing eye-to-eye with them? Come on. I'm not doubting the ability of the rivals guys to hold a measuring tape, but I highly doubt the coaches don't know how tall/heavy they really are.