John Walker

The Hawaiian native did not compete in football until his sophomore year of high school. As a youngster, his family moved to California. He was a television actor who appeared in shows such as "E.R." and "Seventh Heaven" and had a clause in his acting contract that prevented him from doing anything that could affect his appearance. Walker was named a 2000 Super Prep All-Farwest, Prep Star All-Western Region, Cal-Hi Sports All-State second-team, All-L.A. City, Los Angeles Times All-San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles Daily News All-Valley first-team choice as a senior at Birmingham High School. He had five interceptions (one for a touchdown) as a defensive back, 30 receptions for 640 yards (21.3 avg) and five touchdowns as a wide receiver, and two kickoff returns for scores in 2000. In one game, he scored three times on just five catches (for 136 yards) to help lead a 10-2 team. As a junior, he was an All-L.A. City second-team and All-West Valley League pick while making 78 tackles with three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. As a sophomore, he made the All-Northwest Valley League first-team. Walker also was on the basketball and track teams at Birmingham, with bests of 14.2 seconds in the 110-meter high hurdles and 6-3 in the high jump (he won the Sportsmanship Award at the 2000 California state meet). He was third in both the 110-meter high hurdles (14.44) and 300-meter intermediate hurdles (39.35) at the 2001 L.A. City meet. He was ninth at the 2001 California State meet in the high hurdles in 14.95 (he ran 14.25 in the prelims); he also ran 49.06 in the intermediate hurdles prelims, but did not advance to the finals. Walker redshirted in 2001 at Southern California, competing as a safety and cornerback on the scout team. He was academically ineligible during 2002 spring ball, but managed to play in thirteen games as a reserve safety that year, making two solo tackles. He appeared in ten games as a reserve cornerback in 2003, posting three tackles with a pass deflection. Walker began the 2004 season as a reserve cornerback, but was shifted to wide receiver. He collected three tackles and caught one pass for 22 yards. He started five of eleven games at cornerback in 2005, missing two contests with a left ankle sprain. He registered a career-high 31 tackles (25 solos) with two interceptions and four deflected passes. In 47 games at Southern California, Walker started five times. He finished with 39 tackles (30 solos) with five pass deflections and two interceptions. He gained 22 yards on a reception, 4 yards on a punt return and 40 yards on a kickoff return.

positives

Has a solid frame with lean upper body muscles, good bubble and high calves...Smooth runner with a gliding stride, good body control and balance...Can turn quickly out of his backpedal...Best in press coverage, as he is effective using his hands to reroute...Has smooth, natural movement closing on the ball...Has a good feel for the ball in flight and for when it arrives...Takes proper angles in pursuit and is crisp coming out of his breaks...Very coordinated competing for jump balls...Has decent shed ability and will force the ballcarrier into the cutback lanes with adequate effectiveness...Stays under control when making plays in front of him...Has the playing strength to shed blocks...Has the long arms and natural hands to reach and pluck away from his frame...Has the strength to match up against the more physical receivers...Adds value with his contributions on special teams.

negatives

Still learning how to play cornerback, as he is not always quick to react, lacking instincts...Peeks into the backfield too much and then rushes to get back into the play, leaving his feet to attempt to make the play, but will then dip his shoulder or bite at the ankles rather than wrapping to secure...Quick coming out of his backpedal, but is a bit stiff in his hips, taking some false steps in transition...Takes good angles to close, but will give up too much cushion to compensate for a lack of speed when covering deep...Does not have the explosive burst to close.

2005: Missed most of spring drills with a fractured bone in his right hand...Suffered a left ankle sprain vs. Washington, missing the Washington State and Stanford games. 2006: Could not complete the agility tests at the Combine due to right wrist and left ankle sprains.

Campus: 4.61 in the 40-yard dash

39.5-inch vertical jump

10'6" broad jump

4.25 20-yard shuttle

6.87 three-cone drill. Combine: 4.64 in the 40-yard dash

2.72 20-yard dash

1.61 10-yard dash

40-inch vertical jump

10'6" broad jump

4.16 20-yard shuttle

30-inch arm length

9 7/8-inch hands.

Right wrist and left ankles kept him out of remainder of drills.

Attended Birmingham (Van Nuys, Cal.) High School

Named a 2000 Super Prep All-Farwest, Prep Star All-Western Region, Cal-Hi Sports All-State second-team, All-L.A. City, Los Angeles Times All-San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles Daily News All-Valley first-team choice as a senior

Had five interceptions (one for a touchdown) as a defensive back, 30 receptions for 640 yards (21.3 avg) and five touchdowns as a wide receiver, and two kickoff returns for scores in 2000

In one game, he scored three times on just five catches (for 136 yards) to help the team to a 10-2 record that year

As a junior, he was an All-L.A. City second-team and All-West Valley League pick while making 78 tackles with three interceptions and two fumble recoveries

As a sophomore, he made the All-Northwest Valley League first-team

Also was on the basketball and track teams at Birmingham, with bests of 14.2 seconds in the 110-meter high hurdles and 6-3 in the high jump (he won the Sportsmanship Award at the 2000 California state meet)

Third in both the 110-meter high hurdles (14.44) and 300-meter intermediate hurdles (39.35) at the 2001 L.A. City meet

Ninth at the 2001 California State meet in the high hurdles in 14.95 (he ran 14.25 in the prelims); he also ran 49.06 in the intermediate hurdles prelims, but did not advance to the finals.

Political Science/American Studies and Ethnicity major

As a youngster, he was a television actor who appeared in shows such as "E.R." and "Seventh Heaven" (didn't play football until his sophomore season at Birmingham because of a clause in his acting contract that prevented him from doing anything that could affect his appearance)

Born 4/25/83 in Wahiawa, Hawaii

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