Jan. 12--Patience and good vision are two essential traits for a running back to be successful on the field.
Montini junior running back Prince Walker is learning the importance of those two qualities off the field as well.
Despite carrying the ball 173 times for 1,399 yards and 22 touchdowns for the undefeated Class 6A state-champion Broncos, Walker is still waiting for his first scholarship offer. He remains unfazed about his future, believing in his dream of playing Division I football.
"I'm planning on taking a lot of junior day visits," Walker said. "I had a good season, and I'm just waiting for the offers to come in. It's just a matter of time. I can feel it. I'm going to keep taking visits and talking to coaches."
Montini coach Chris Andriano has witnessed his share of talented backs during his 37-year run at the helm, including six state championships and two runner-up finishes. Andriano said countless schools, from a variety of conferences, are interested in Walker.
"(Prince) has a great attitude about work and has the team-first mentality," Andriano said. "He's a speed guy first. This year the biggest challenge we gave him was to be a harder and tougher runner inside. He's a little small for a running back, not a big kid. His speed is a difference-maker.
"He's become a pretty complete running back. The only thing is the size. He will end up playing Division I football. He has a lot of interest now. This spring things will heat up for him. He has 15 to 20 schools interested in him."
Ahh, the dreaded height issue. At 5-foot-9 and 178 pounds, Walker's credentials speak for themselves, but he's on the smaller side for a college running back. He's set to become a three-year starter at one of the best football schools in the state and even played his freshman year for the 13-1 Broncos in 2013. Walker is 490 yards shy of becoming Montini's all-time leading rusher. He needs 26 touchdowns of any variety to pass Jordan Westerkamp (72 total touchdowns) for the all-time school record in that category.
"We've had some great running backs dating back to the beginning of football at Montini," Andriano said. "Prince is close to being the all-time leading rusher. In order to do that, you probably have to have a three-year career. He's been a three-year starter. That says a lot about him and the era of Montini because we've been good."
Walker, who is planning unofficial visits to Miami (Ohio) on Jan. 30 and Illinois on Jan. 31, downplays the issue of his height.
"I think I have pretty good height," Walker said. "My coach has given me a good opportunity to do what I can do best. My career has been pretty successful so far. I feel I got stronger in running and pass-blocking this year, anything to help my team out."
Foster making visits: Sean Foster is a hot commodity for colleges attempting to find an athletic and large offensive lineman. The Carmel senior offensive tackle has 33 offers, and returned to the recruiting market after decommitting from Minnesota on Dec. 1.
The 6-8, 285-pound Foster is the state's No. 7 senior prospect, according to the 247Sports.com's composite rankings, and he's the highest-rated uncommitted senior prospect.
A four-star prospect, Foster is planning an official visit to Iowa State the weekend of Jan. 22 and said he's "unsure about his visit this weekend."
"Some of the key things I'm looking for is a place that isn't just a good school, but has a good family aspect," he said. "That's one of the key things for me. I'm just trying to figure everything out now. It's a lot of fun being back to recruiting. Sometimes it can get overwhelming, but nothing where I will complain about it."
Tidbits: Montini defensive end Thomas Hyland and linebacker Jake Kapp plan to stay teammates in college. The senior defensive starters committed to Northern Michigan over the weekend. Northern Michigan also received a commitment from Homewood-Flossmoor senior athlete Trevor Johnson, who played wide receiver, cornerback and quarterback for the Vikings. ... Homewood-Flossmoor junior offensive tackle John Michael Schmitz received his first offer, from Buffalo, on Friday. ... Marian Central senior offensive lineman Gavin Dineen committed to Drake on Jan. 6.
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
