Signed | Three-Star S Justin Walters
S Justin Walters
Ranking
ISD: 89 – 3-Star
Composite: 88.3 – 3-Star
Vitals
6-2, 180
Bolingbrook (Bolingbrook, Illinois)
Recruiter
Terry Joseph
Recruitment Rundown
Even though it was clear from the start that the Irish would be a major factor in Walters’ recruitment, he still didn’t expect to make a commitment as early as he did. But after a visit to South Bend the first weekend of February, Walters decided he’d seen enough and announced his commitment to the Irish on Super Bowl Sunday.
Walters chose Notre Dame over offers from schools like Wisconsin, Michigan State, Iowa, Iowa State, Boston College, Cincinnati and Minnesota among others.
Bolingbrook Head Coach John Ivlow
“His ability to hit, you don’t see kids who hit like that anymore. I tell people I’ve had three in the last 20 years who hit on that level and they are Antonio Morrison, who played at Florida and four years in the NFL, and Tuf Borland, the current middle linebacker at Ohio State. Justin is on that level. Good tacklers and physical, very physical, fearless. They’ve all had that and lo and behold, Florida, Ohio State and Notre Dame, three pretty good programs.
“I look at that kid now and he’s probably 180, picture that at 200 and 205, maybe even 210 by the time he’s done. He’s very lean still, so that’s going to be the best thing about him, he could play at a bunch of spots.”
ISD Expert Jamie Uyeyama
Walters is long and for someone who is listed at 170, he sure doesn’t play like it. He projects as a physical box safety and his skill set is similar to former Notre Dame safety Alohi Gilman.
I think he can develop into an impact player as a run defender. How he progresses in coverage will determine his ceiling.
Can he succeed in man coverage? Can he flip his hips and play deep? Can he get have more Havoc production?
The answers to those questions will tell us if he can become a solid player who can start at strong safety or if he can become an elite player at the next level.
Favorite ISD Quote
"It was just the energy. Everybody cares about each other and loves each other. There is no other school where you get the level of academics and football they have there."
Junior Highlights