4-star 2025 LB Mantrez Walker discusses Miami football recruitment with Canes Top 5

Four-star 2025 linebacker Mantrez Walker discussed his Miami football recruitment with 247Sports, On3 and Rivals after naming the Hurricanes in his Top Five programs last week. Colorado, Mississippi, LSU and Penn State were the other four programs named in Walker's top five.

Walker is rated as a four-star prospect by Rivals and three by the consensus ratings from 247Sports and On3. The 247Sports composite rankings list Walker as the 434th prospect, 48th LB and 50 player in Georgia out of Buford in the 2025 class. Linebacker is a position of need for the Miami football program.

Miami will lose star middle LB Francisco Mauigoa after the 2024 season. Junior Wesley Bissainthe will be eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft. Three-star LB Elijah Hernandez has already committed to Miami in the 2025 class. Four-star LBs Adarius Hayes and Cameron Pruitt signed with Miami in the 2024 class.

Sophomores Raul Aguirre, Malik Bryant, Marcellius Pulliam and Bobby Washington return for Miami at LB in 2024. Linebacker could become a position of focus in the 2025 Miami class as the offensive line was in 2023 and the defensive line in 2024. Walker spoke to 247Sports, On3 and Rivals about his recruitment.

"Regarding the Hurricanes: “Consistent love shown from the coaches. Coach D-Nich’s passion to do better and the fact that he played linebacker had been in the same position I’m in. Also my visit was great. My parents loved the environment. I feel that I am wanted there. I love Cristobal’s energy and desire to want to get The U back to how it used to be and that is something I would love to be a part of with the goat of linebackers coming from there in Ray Lewis. I feel like I’m one of the best linebackers in the country and could bring that tenacity back to The U under an energetic linebackers coach like Coach D-Nich.”"

- Mantrez Walker told to 247Sports

Linebackers coach Derek Nicholson is leading the recruitment for Walker. Walker had 54 tackles, four tackles for loss and two quarterback hurries as a junior. Fourteen programs have received visits from Walker. Colorado will receive an official visit from Walker in April per 247Sports.

"They have kept close contact with me and I love how their staff reaches out. It could be from a recruiting coordinator to the head coach. That visit showed me the scene at Miami and the opportunities and history at Miami. Ray Lewis went there, who is the greatest linebacker in NFL history in my opinion. (Jonathan) Vilma and a lot of other guys went through there from my position and made an impact. I feel like I could go up there and have a legacy as well.

A player in their class, Elijah Melendez, has been on me a lot. He has been contacting me and wants to play with me, so it would be cool to go there with another great player that I can play beside and build a legacy at Miami. (Linebackers) coach (Derek) Nicholson is a fired-up, energetic guy and I love his passion for coaching...That’s a lot of knowledge coming from somebody who played the game. "

- Mantrez Walker told to On3.

"Miami: "Consistent love shown from the coaches, coach D-Nic (Derek Nicholson) passion to do better and the fact that he played linebacker and had been in the same position I’m in. Also my visit was great, my parents loved the environment. I feel that I am wanted there. I love (Mario) Cristobal’s energy and desire to want to get The U back to how it used to be and that is something I would love to be apart of...I feel like I’m one of the best linebackers in the country and could bring that tenacity back to The U under an energetic LB coach like coach D-Nic.""

- Mantrez Walker as told to Rivals

Nicholson's persistence was the common theme mentioned by Walker as told to all three recruiting sites. Cristobal demands persistence and tenacity from his staff in recruiting. South Carolina, Michigan and Mississippi were listed as the leaders to a commitment from Walker by On3.

Walker was previously committed to Michigan. The Michigan de-commitment occurred in September, long before head coach Jim Harbaugh left for the Los Angeles Chargers. South Carolina also appears to be out of the recruitment for Walker currently. There doesn't appear to be a clear leader for Walker in his top five.