As Aggie fans across the world celebrate their official acceptance into the Southeastern Conference, the Texas A&M football staff will praise the addition of a true SEC defender to their nationally ranked 2013 recruiting class.
Walker becomes Texas A&M's 22nd commitment for the class of 2013.
On the Channel 2 Houston news stage, Houston Westfield (TX) defensive tackle Hardreck Walker officially announced his commitment to Texas A&M this afternoon. GigEm247 spoke to the 3-star prospect about his decision to become an Aggie and the significance behind the timing of his decision.
“It feels great that I’m the first commit for A&M in the SEC,” Walker told Taylor Hamm shortly after his pre-taped announcement. “They’re making the jump to the SEC and I feel like I want to be a part of that.”
The 6-foot-2, 290-pounder chose A&M over the likes of Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas Tech, with the Texas Longhorns also showing sincere interest. Walker explains what led him to play out his college career in Aggieland.
“When I was down there it felt like a brotherhood,” he said. “All the players felt like they were close. I like the way Coach Sumlin has the program headed. It seems like he’s got it going in the right direction so I feel like they’re going to be pretty good.”
He added, “It was also close to home. I can still visit my family. They can still come to all of my games. They can still see me, stay in touch with me, things like that. We’re a pretty tight family so the fact that I can still stay close to home, is pretty exciting for them.”
On his way up to the Channel 2 news station, Walker picked himself up a fresh new A&M t-shirt that said, “The Wrecking Crew Has Arrived.” He explains what it means to be a part of that strong defensive tradition.
“It’s going to be great,” he said. “I feel like we’re going to come in and immediately make a big difference. We’re going to try to take over the SEC real fast.”
Texas A&M defensive line coach, Terry Price, deserves a lot of credit for securing Walker’s commitment today. The Houston native explains how integral Price was throughout the process.
With Walker's pledge, the Aggies move back into the top five national team rankings, according to 247Sports
“Coach Price is a good guy,” he said. “He’s a real cool, down to earth guy, and I feel like I can talk to him about anything. I went through his track record, looked at his coaching history, looked at his playing career and I liked what I saw. He’s going to be a good coach for me.”
The powerful defensive tackle explains what type of player A&M is getting with his pledge.
“I’m a run stopper, and going into the SEC, you definitely need some run stoppers,” he said. “I definitely think I can add that to the Wrecking Crew.”
A well-known prospect in the Bayou City, Walker plans to use his celebrity status to help lure more top-flight recruits with him to Aggieland.
“As a matter of fact, there are a couple of names I’m about to work on right now, like as soon as I leave here,” he said. “There are a couple of names that I’m going to get on the phone with and work on getting up there with me.”
Which recruits does he have plans to target, starting tonight?
“Torrodeny, Torrodey Prevot, I’m definitely going to try to get him up there with me,” he said. “I’m going to tell him he needs to come be a part of the Wrecking Crew. We’re all aboard, me, Reggie (Chevis), Jay (Arnold), hey, it’s time, lets take over the SEC.”
Walker discusses his goals over the next four or five years in College Station.
“I definitely want to get my masters done,” he said. “Civil engineering, that degree is big, after that football is just going to fall into place.”
Walker has a 247Sports rating of 88 which makes him a 3-star prospect. With a good senior season, there’s a good chance he will move up in the rankings.
- Taylor Hamm
- Texas A&M Insider - Gigem247