By Erik Harris
As national signing day approaches, recruiting continues to heat up for local standouts. This week has seen one area senior attract his first scholarship offer while another had a change of heart.
Clay-Chalkville running back A.J. Walker (5) carries the ball against Homewood in the Class 6A state playoffs in Cougar Stadium. Photo by Ron Burkett
On Tuesday, Clay-Chalkville running back A.J. Walker welcomed his first offer from Tulane University. On Wednesday evening, Hewitt-Trussville quarterback Zac Thomas announced his verbal pledge to Appalachian State University. Thomas originally committed to Jacksonville State in November.
Both Class of 2016 backs took to Twitter to make public their future opportunities.
“Blessed to have an offer from Tulane University,” posted Walker on Tuesday evening.
“Blessed to say I am committing to play football at Appalachian State University,” posted Thomas on Wednesday night.
Walker’s first offer appears just two weeks prior to National Signing Day. The bruising ball carrier served primarily as a fullback as a junior for the Cougars before working his way into a halfback role as a senior.
He went for 708 yards on only 98 carries, 12 of which ended in the end zone, in 2015. Walker also caught 26 passes out of the backfield for 244 yards (9.4 yards per reception) and another score.
Thomas began his varsity career as a sophomore in 2013 when he served as the Huskies co-starting quarterback. The dual-threat signal caller later went on to earn back-to-back All-Tribune Team honors as a full-time starter in 2014-15.
In nine games as a senior, he completed 103 of 169 attempts for 1,460 yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also did damage on the ground with another 829 yards and five scores.
Thomas missed the final two games of the season after suffering a leg injury at Hoover on Oct. 23.
National Signing Day is on Wednesday, Feb. 3.
Erik Harris is the Sports Editor for the Trussville Tribune. Follow him on Twitter @jeharris2 or email him at jmseharris2@gmail.com.
