Meet Oklahoma CB Kani Walker: He Found a Home, Now He’s Turning Heads

When Kani Walker transferred from Louisville, he was in search of a spot he may name dwelling without end.

After a disappointing season with the Cardinals, Walker knew he needed to search out household at his subsequent touchdown spot.

“You don’t play soccer for the remainder of your life, and to me that’s one of the vital necessary the explanation why I selected OU,” stated Walker. “Life after soccer, then what? Can I come again to those coaches and these amenities and nonetheless really feel welcomed dwelling? For me, it was a no brainer. And naturally, we’re at Oklahoma.”

Walker, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound redshirt freshman, was capable of make the Oklahoma connection because of his highschool coach, Johnny White of Douglas County Excessive College, and his relationship with OU defensive coordinator Ted Roof.

Whereas Walker wasn’t in a position make the instant affect he was in search of at Louisville, he’s already turning heads at Oklahoma. Walker has made a reputation for himself as far as a bodily, hard-hitting security.

Earlier than transferring from Louisville, cornerbacks coach Bryan Brown talked about Walker as a participant who may probably begin and would definitely take pleasure in an expanded function subsequent season.

Walker alluded to the teaching employees ceaselessly reminding him to play to his dimension, as he’s in a secondary room surrounded by smaller defensive backs.

One of many issues that this teaching employees does so effectively is permitting gamers to play freely, and the Suwanee, GA, product has benefitted.

“Coach Valai says you aren’t a nook that performs soccer, you’re a soccer participant that performs nook,” stated Walker. “They need you to have the scheme of the protection and play throughout the scheme of the protection, but in addition simply go make a play. Simply be a soccer participant.”

For Walker and the remainder of the protection, a contemporary begin and a brand new teaching employees means new alternatives. Lots of the gamers on the present roster have had restricted alternatives to shine on the sphere.

The starvation that Walker brings from his final cease, mixed along with his private expectations and the truth that he’s a redshirt freshman makes it laborious to mood pleasure about his potential.

“I am hungry,” Walker stated with a smile. “I really feel like that is the time to essentially make a reputation for myself. If I don’t stay as much as this chance, it’ll be on me. It’s not like they aren’t giving me the possibility.”

A part of Walker’s assertion alludes to a standard theme within the secondary: nothing is about in stone. With no set starters, the group is making one another higher and stacking up depth.

The Sooners struggled down the stretch final season with expertise within the secondary. With a veteran group filled with snaps and expertise, a proficient participant like Walker may actually boost the cornerback room.

“Coach Valai, Coach (Brent) Venables and Coach Roof are all giving me a good shot to do what I can do,” Walker stated. “I’m hungry. I can’t look ahead to Saturday.”