Counting Down the Lions: #43
In joining Charlie’s Top PSU moments, we’ve added another daily countdown feature here at NittanyWhiteOut. We’ll be measuring up the 50 most important players to Penn State’s success in the 2009 season.
Checking in at #43 is one of the myriad of candidates to fill one of Penn State’s two open guard spots, J.B. Walton.
Number: 65
Position: Offensive Guard
Class: Redshirt Sophomore
Height: 6′3
Weight: 288
Hometown: Indian Head, MD
How’d He Get Here: Yet another highly touted recruit (seems we’ve had a bunch of those in a row), Walton held offers from a handful of top programs, including Florida, Florida State, West Virginia, and Ohio State. However, as he so often does, Larry Johnson did his job as he so often does, going into Maryland and getting his man. Walton was ranked as the 6th best guard in his class by Rivals and as a 4-star prospect by Scout. He’s got some very nice athleticism to go along with his size, clocked at 5.2 seconds in the 40, and a 22 inch vertical leap.
2008 Results: Walton saw plenty of playing time for the Lions, seeing snaps in 7 games. He’s also managed to put on some weight since entering Penn State, as his listed weight of 288 pounds is substantially more than the 270 he came in at. Hopefully, ESPN’s Scouts Inc. will have proved prophetic, as they claimed in his recruiting profile that “…if Walton can continue to put on size and keep his mobility he has the tools to be a special player at the guard position.”
What to Expect in 2009: As far as I know, Penn State is yet to name a starter for either of the two open guard spots creating by Rich Ohrnberger’s graduation and the shift of Stefen Wisniewski to center. Walton might not be named the starter right off the bat, but it’s very likely that Penn State will use their first three non-conference games as little more than scrimmages, mixing and matching to try and find the best group of players.
Random Facts: Most guys who are 6’3 and 270 pounds will stick to football. Walton, on the other hand, lettered in basketball and track at Lackey High School. And if that name sounds familiar, it’s because Walton has created a little bit of a pipeline from Lackey, with two 2009 commitments, including Darrell Givens, coming from the school.
The Final Word: Once again, it seems like the season is a long way away, especially when it comes to clearing up some key position battles. To try and handicap this race would be a losing proposition, though Walton’s young age and lack of experience can’t help him in that regard. Still, if he shows the promise some have seen in him, it might not be long before Walton starts seeing pretty extensive playing time for the Nittany Lions.
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