Hopewell (VA) running back Ronnie Walker has been a longtime target of the University of Virginia’s. Next Monday, August 28, we will learn whether or not the efforts of Cavalier head coach Bronco Mendenhall and company paid off.
Thank you Lord for this opportunity, My Top 3 , I will be committing next Monday August 28th at 1:30 at Hopewell High School auditorium pic.twitter.com/4B7ijxWLYQ
— RonnieWalker (@RonnieWalker32) August 22, 2017
Walker, a 5’11”, 190-pound senior, will choose either Indiana, Michigan State, or Virginia. He has taken numerous visits to Charlottesville, though he has not returned since exploring Michigan State on July 21 and Indiana on July 22.
Virginia offered the Scout and ESPN 4-star back a scholarship on February 27, 2016, making him one of the very first class of 2018 prospects Mendenhall offered as Cavalier head coach.
“[The UVA coaches] were the very first ones to offer Ronnie,” Hopewell head coach Ricky Irby said in a July 17 article on TheSabre.com. “They believe in him. They love who he is as a person. That means a lot to Ronnie. The relationship aspect is big with him. UVA is right there at the top as far as the relationship they’ve built with him. Coach Mendenhall talks to him a lot about coming in and working hard and having a chance to play early.”
Virginia had been considered the favorite in this race for quite some time. However, in light of the more recent visits to Indiana and Michigan State (especially IU, which appeared to go very well), the Cavaliers’ standing is not so clear. Additionally, one wonders what impact the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville will have.
The good news is that Walker didn’t commit immediately after the tragic weekend of August 13-15, giving Walker a chance to see the response of the university and the football program and speak with Mendenhall further.
Chris, It’s my understanding that IU offered RB Ronnie Walker’s younger brother a scholarship. If true,what impact on his thinking? Is UVA recruiting the younger Walker? Also, according to other services…Walker is a 4 star. What gives? Frank
His brother, Trey Henderson, will be a freshman at HHS. His coach said he impressed the UVA coaches as well after a camp earlier this year, so Mendenhall has expressed early interest. I don’t think this will be a major factor.