Julian Walker will be the first to note the past few months weren't comparable to his sophomore year.
Walker, a Class of 2026 edge defender, saw an uptick in recruitment since his junior season ended at Irmo (SC) Dutch Fork. He's garnered 12 offers -- seven from schools in North Carolina and South Carolina.
But with a fresh look at recruitment, learning the ins and outs of it on the fly, Walker pointed to Missouri defensive line coach Brian Early as someone he's starting to build a "great" relationship with.
Walker got in contact with Early during the NCAA Contact Period in January, and not even two days later, Early visited him at school. Walker announced his offer from the Tigers on Jan. 22.
"He liked the way I play, the way I move, the intensity I play with," Walker said. "We had a great conversation about saying that I could fit into their defense, their scheme, one of the players that they were looking for. If you want to work, how hard you work depends on how early you play."
Walker talked with Early about visiting Missouri as one of his first trips during the next NCAA Contact Period in March. In that visit, Walker wants to build comfortability with Early, trusting in his plan for the future. One of those early signs of growing trust has come from their daily phone calls.
"Sometimes, it'll just be about just life," Walker said. "That's what I really appreciate about him. It's not always strictly business."
Walker saw Missouri play in November right down the road from his high school. The Tigers took on South Carolina, a school Walker frequents given his father, Jamil Walker, is on staff as the assistant strength and conditioning coach.
Even surrounded by Gamecocks, with the ability to see the program anytime he pleases, Julian has Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina State and Virginia Tech also catching his eye.
"But just because it's so early in my recruitment, I wouldn't say there's much of a favorite except Missouri, who's been on me, talking almost every day," Julian said. "So not many favorites, but definitely some schools that you see the difference in."
missouri.rivals.com
Walker, a Class of 2026 edge defender, saw an uptick in recruitment since his junior season ended at Irmo (SC) Dutch Fork. He's garnered 12 offers -- seven from schools in North Carolina and South Carolina.
But with a fresh look at recruitment, learning the ins and outs of it on the fly, Walker pointed to Missouri defensive line coach Brian Early as someone he's starting to build a "great" relationship with.
Walker got in contact with Early during the NCAA Contact Period in January, and not even two days later, Early visited him at school. Walker announced his offer from the Tigers on Jan. 22.
"He liked the way I play, the way I move, the intensity I play with," Walker said. "We had a great conversation about saying that I could fit into their defense, their scheme, one of the players that they were looking for. If you want to work, how hard you work depends on how early you play."
Walker talked with Early about visiting Missouri as one of his first trips during the next NCAA Contact Period in March. In that visit, Walker wants to build comfortability with Early, trusting in his plan for the future. One of those early signs of growing trust has come from their daily phone calls.
"Sometimes, it'll just be about just life," Walker said. "That's what I really appreciate about him. It's not always strictly business."
Walker saw Missouri play in November right down the road from his high school. The Tigers took on South Carolina, a school Walker frequents given his father, Jamil Walker, is on staff as the assistant strength and conditioning coach.
Even surrounded by Gamecocks, with the ability to see the program anytime he pleases, Julian has Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina State and Virginia Tech also catching his eye.
"But just because it's so early in my recruitment, I wouldn't say there's much of a favorite except Missouri, who's been on me, talking almost every day," Julian said. "So not many favorites, but definitely some schools that you see the difference in."
As recruitment takes off, Julian Walker notes growing interest in Mizzou
Class of 2026 edge defender Julian Walker plans to visit Missouri this spring.
