Film Analysis: 2023 WR Jaleel Walker
Name: Jaleel Trevon Walker
Position: WR
Class: 2023 (Spring Graduate)
Height/Weight: 6'3", 195
High School/Previous School: Allan Hancock College (Santa Maria, CA)
The Hilltoppers rounded out their receiving corps with the junior college receiver Walker, coming from Allan Hancock College by way of Santa Maria (CA). With this addition, there's sure to be smiling faces between offensive coordinator Drew Hollingshead, receiver coach Michael Spurlock, and the quarterbacks room.
In 2022, Walker was very productive, pulling in 50 receptions for 899 yards and eight touchdowns, posting an eye-opening 18 yards per reception.
STRENGTHS:
• Sure-Handedness: Walker was a very quarterback-friendly receiver, evidenced by his 50 receptions, and part of that was because of his sticky hands. Walker made a lot of tough catches, notably over-top defenders and single handedly downfield.
• Play Making Abilities: Big plays popped all over tape. One handed grabs in man coverage, deep touchdown runs on screen plays, and rumbling through defenders with physicality. Managed to create a lot of yards after the catch.
• Competitive Mismatch: A common trend on tape - Walker was nearly always pressed. More often than not, a safety hovered over for support. Regardless, he was able to tough grabs in traffic and come down with the reception on some poorly placed footballs.
• Natural Mismatch: Size and/or length are big proponents in any pass catchers game, especially for boundary receivers. Walker is a tall, long-limbed receiver that creates a natural mismatch with smaller defenders.
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT:
• I would like to know that he has more variety in his route tree. It seemed like quarterbacks were told to throw it up to Walker, and Walker was told to go get it. A lot of slants, screens, and go-routes.
• Created more separation on deep draggs or go routes. Want to see more early seperation.
• He showed flashes of finesse and quick separation in his curl, slant, and screen combinations, but I want to see more of that finesse taken to the middle of the field.
The Hilltoppers might have found (and this is a term I use sparingly) I diamond in the rough. Walker is a splashy playmaker that provides the offense a safe deep option and a quarterback friendly playmaker underneath. He'll make an impact very quickly on the Hill.
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