SoCal WR decides to stay home

Three-star wide receiver/cornerback Kevan Walker (6-0, 180, 4.4) from Arcadia, Calif., made an early commitment to Minnesota, but in the end the opportunity for him to play close to home and for the team where his father DeWayne Walker is defensive coordinator carried the day.

"Playing for the same staff that my dad is on was a big reason why I switched to UCLA," Walker said. "Ever since I was little my dad and I talked about playing on the same team he was coaching.

"I think it is going to be great, but I do know that it would be like any other team. My dad is going to treat me like he would any other player. I'm excited to be a Bruin.

"The final piece was going to (Bruin commit) Anthony Dye's house for a barbeque and meeting all the other recruits," Walker said. "It was really a good vibe being around those guys.

"All of us are close and I think we are going to special over the next four or five years," Walker said. "My current teammate, Todd Golper, of the class of 2009, I think will also be a scholarship athlete and be Bruin, too.

"I greatly appreciate what coach George McDonald and what coach Tim Brewster has done for me throughout the recruiting class and i thank them for giving me the opportunity to play at their school," Walker said. "They will definitely be a contender for that Big Ten championship.

"I feel that just playing at home in front of my family and friends was better for not only me, but my family also," Walker said. "There's a big chance that we (UCLA) probably could play Minnesota in these next few years. Not only the Rose Bowl game, but even in the national championship. Coach Brew is an amazing coach along with his new coaching staff, they definitely know how to recruit, but in my case it was just staying by my family.

Walker will shed his wide receiver duties his senior season and will play quarterback for Arcadia.

The reason Walker will play quarterback this season because of his leadership qualities, throwing ability and his athleticism.

Arcadia feels that they will be a better team with Walker lining up under center.

Admittedly, Walker says that he knows that wide receiver is his best position, but will do whatever it takes to help the team.

As a junior, from his receiver position, Walker had 42 receptions for 650 yards and five touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball, Walker played both corner and safety racking up 48 tackles and two picks.

Walker earned first-team all-league as a cornerback and second-team all-league as a wide receiver for his performance in 2006. He was also selected first-team all-area as a wide receiver and second-team all-state as a wide receiver.