Podcast: The many reasons Miami’s addition of Issiah Walker Jr. is a big deal
Garin Justice said he wants to focus on Miami-Dade County and South Florida first, even as he recruits offensive linemen to the Miami Hurricanes. So far, the offensive line coach is making good on his promise — better than even the most optimistic onlookers could have even expected.
The assistant coach already had three of South Florida’s top offensive linemen committed for the Class of 2021 before he made a shocking addition to the Hurricanes’ Class of 2021 on Saturday. Issiah Walker Jr., less than five months after signing with the Florida Gators and enrolling in Gainesville, decided to transfer back home to Miami.
It’s news big enough to justify a solo episode of the Eye on the U podcast this week as David Wilson explains the many reasons the addition of Walker is such a big deal.
It starts with sheer talent: Walker was the top-ranked tackle in Miami-Dade for the 2020 class and the Miami Norland alumnus is the best local tackle the Hurricanes have landed since offensive lineman Navaughn Donaldson in the Class of 2017.
The biggest reason, though, might just be the confidence it instills about Justice’s recruiting ability and recruiting approach. It’s not just bluster from the position coach: He actually does want to recruit the region first, and he’s proving he can get it done.
Wilson wraps things up by taking a few listener questions, some of which tie into the subject of Walker. What does this mean for the rest of Miami’s transfer-portal efforts this offseason? Could Taula Tagovailoa really follow his older brother from the Alabama Crimson Tide to South Florida? Which freshmen are most prepared to help out the Hurricanes, even as the COVID-19 pandemic limits their adjustment period to college life?
It’s impossible to ignore the coronavirus right now — and it certainly could affect the answers to some of these questions — but Miami is doing a good job at providing a distraction with its busy offseason.
