"I was really trying to find a good academic school, not just a school to play football," Walker said.
His injury last season taught him to think about more than just football and understand that he had to find a school where he would be happy if another injury happened to end his athletics career.
He was enamored with Wofford College, a Division I-AA school in South Carolina. He admits he made the mistake of putting "all my eggs in one basket" with Wofford before his chance to play there fell through. Fortunately for him, Georgetown was still an option.
"Once Wofford fell through, I stuck with all the NAIA schools in Kentucky because I felt a good Christian school is where I would be the best fit," said Walker, who eventually hopes to be a youth minister and/or own his own business in this area.
Will play linebacker in college
At Georgetown, he'll start out at outside linebacker. He was best known at Mercer in 2005 for his running ability when he rushed for 1,445 yards and 23 touchdowns. Not only did he have the speed to outrun defenders, he also had the power to run over would-be tacklers. However, his first love was always defense.
"Georgetown's coaches think I have the speed to make up for mistakes I might make," he said. "I think I only played defense a total of 15 plays last year because after I hurt my hamstring, coach (Marty) Jaggers didn't want to risk injuring it more by having me play defense. But playing defense is fine with me."
Especially when Walker admits he wondered if "God was trying to give me a sign football was not my calling" when he was hurt during Mercer's magical 15-0 season. He didn't mind being in the background, but he did worry college coaches would forget about him.
"I was just hoping and praying some coach saw something in me," Walker said.
Georgetown did - and others should have.
Won't be redshirted
The Tigers' coaches have told Walker he will not be redshirted as a freshman.
"They said I had as good of a chance as anybody else on the team to play next year," Walker said. "I feel like that is a true statement and not just them trying to bring me in there. I want to prove I can play as a freshman. I would never look at it as being easy, but I hope I do get to play as a freshman."
Three teammates - Chris Lewis, Freeman Edwards and Cory Jackson - have all visited Georgetown, too.
"They have not got their offers yet. They are waiting like I was," Walker said. "It would be pretty cool to have my teammates there, too."
Walker says he's now healthy and busy preparing for track season. He thinks the Titans can contend for a state team title, as well as several individual titles. He had qualified for two events at the Class AA state track meet in May and was on his way to qualifying for a third when he first pulled his hamstring.
"I have not taken a day off. I found out my legs were extremely weak in comparison to other players. I am working to correct that before track," Walker said. No matter what happens during track season, Walker's story already has a happy ending. He says he feels "blessed" to be signing with Georgetown and hopes that will one day help his youth ministry.
"I hope the popularity of going to Georgetown and playing for a successful program will eventually help my ministry," Walker said. "Georgetown is also known for academics and I won't just walk in there and get all A's. I'll have to work, which will make me a better person as well. I just think the whole challenge will be good for me."
