2025 LB Mantrez Walker beginning to narrow list of schools

Buford (Ga.) 2025 linebacker Mantrez Walker made an early commitment to Michigan but backed off that pledge in September. He wanted more time to evaluate schools and make the right decision.

Walker took some visits this fall and is now ready to begin narrowing things down. On Tuesday, he named his top 12 schools: Arkansas, Stanford, Michigan State, Louisville, Tennessee, LSU, Penn State, Miami, South Carolina, Missouri, Colorado and Ole Miss.

“These schools showed me the most love and really made me a top priority,” he told On3. “I have an opportunity to play when I walk in the door and all of them are good fits.”

Walker has visited LSU, Tennessee, Penn State, Arkansas, Colorado, Ole Miss and South Carolina, and he’s in weekly contact with every school on his list.

He hopes to see the rest this winter after the recruiting dead period or potentially this spring.

After that, he wants to take official visits and make a decision next summer.

Walker is the No. 455 overall prospect in the 2025 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He ranks as the nation’s No. 47 linebacker and the No. 47 recruit in Georgia.