After two seasons at Tennessee, Michigan safety Wesley Walker’s transition to Ann Arbor has been smooth thanks to the help of Rod Moore and Quinten Johnson. His role with the Wolverines should be a large one this fall:
After posting a career-best 53 total tackles at Tennessee last year, safety Wesley Walker is looking to carve out consistent playing time this season in Ann Arbor. Michigan is set to lean on returning safeties Makari Paige and Quinten Johnson, but Walker should be able to make an impact anyways.
Walker started his career at Georgia Tech for three years before spending the last two seasons at Tennessee. According to Pro Football Focus , Walker allowed zero touchdowns on 349 coverage snaps last season in the SEC, so he should be a reliable option for LaMar Morgan and company.
“I have played a lot of snaps in college. This is my final year so I’ve played close to over 2,000 snaps,” Walker recently told the local media. “I know a lot, but I can also learn from other guys around me and my coaches as well. I plan on just being a sponge and spreading the knowledge that I already have.”
Wesley Walker discussed his transfer to the #Wolverines and how the returning safeties have helped his transition.
“I’m going to be a sponge. I know a lot but I can also learn from other guys around me and my coaches as well.”
“I feel like #Michigan was the spot for me. I was… pic.twitter.com/NnDdMb3LhF
— Chas Post (@chas_post23) August 16, 2024
With All-Big Ten safety Rod Moore expected to miss this season after undergoing knee surgery this spring, Walker should be able to provide some stability and experience in a deep safety room. He has plenty of high level experience in college, which will surely help him smoothly transition to the Big Ten.
In fact, part of the reason Walker transferred to Michigan in the first place was because of Moore’s injury and the great opportunity to get ample playing time. But it was also a visit to Michigan when he was in the portal that sealed the deal for him.
“Being transparent, if Rod didn’t hurt I probably wouldn’t have came here,” Walker said. “As far as coming in and replacing him — we are different players probably because I’m me and he’s him, that’s just a given. But I look forward to showing the fans my style of play and how I play.
“I feel like Michigan was just the spot for me. It’s my last year so I was just trying to find a spot that allowed the smoothest transition for me and what I want for my career. When the opportunity came, I knew I had to come see how it was up here and when I got here, it was a no-brainer.”
Walker also mentioned how his teammates have helped him adjust to Michigan.
“They help me with all the questions I have,” Walker said. “Even though Rod Moore isn’t playing this year, he’s very attentive and active in meetings. If I might not know something, he’ll explain it and make sure I know it. Everybody in the room is like that too.”
It remains to be seen if Walker will be a consistent contributor in his final collegiate campaign, but it won’t hurt Michigan to have more depth, experience and versatility at the position.