DeMarcus Walker, a top defensive line recruit from Jacksonville (Fla.) Sandalwood High School, plans to commit Friday. Walker is a consensus four-star recruit and one of the best defensive linemen in the Southeast. He is expected to choose Alabama, though Florida fans are still holding out hope.
Walker is a power player with good quickness. He profiles as a bit of a tweener, and will need to be in the right defense to maximize his effectiveness. Luckily for him, Alabama and Florida both offer that type of defensive scheme.
Both Alabama and Florida play multiple defenses, though the Tide bases from a 3-4 and the Gators are a base 4-3 defense. In either defense, Walker would not be playing as a stand-up player known as the "buck" or "jack", but rather on the other side in the role of the end who plays the run first and rushes the passer second. On passing downs, he will be an inside player and not an outside rusher.
That is, if he stays at end. Walker has made an effort to lose weight and is reportedly down to about 270 pounds, but he has the frame of a defensive tackle. In a college weight program, it's easy to project him adding 20 pounds and playing even more of an inside role. That potential makes both schools a solid fit, as the transition from outside to inside is not drastic.
For more on Tide football, visit Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.
For more on Gators football, visit Florida blog Alligator Army, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills and SB Nation Tampa Bay.
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