John Walker

CB, WR · Southern California
The Hawaiian native did not compete in football until his sophomore year of high school. As a youngster, his family moved to California. He was a television actor who appeared in shows such as "E.R." and "Seventh Heaven" and had a clause in his acting contract that prevented him from doing anything that could affect his appearance. Walker was named a 2000 Super Prep All-Farwest, Prep Star All-Western Region, Cal-Hi Sports All-State second-team, All-L.A. City, Los Angeles Times All-San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles Daily News All-Valley first-team choice as a senior at Birmingham High School. He had five interceptions (one for a touchdown) as a defensive back, 30 receptions for 640 yards (21.3 avg) and five touchdowns as a wide receiver, and two kickoff returns for scores in 2000. In one game, he scored three times on just five catches (for 136 yards) to help lead a 10-2 team. As a junior, he was an All-L.A. City second-team and All-West Valley League pick while making 78 tackles with three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. As a sophomore, he made the All-Northwest Valley League first-team. Walker also was on the basketball and track teams at Birmingham, with bests of 14.2 seconds in the 110-meter high hurdles and 6-3 in the high jump (he won the Sportsmanship Award at the 2000 California state meet). He was third in both the 110-meter high hurdles (14.44) and 300-meter intermediate hurdles (39.35) at the 2001 L.A. City meet. He was ninth at the 2001 California State meet in the high hurdles in 14.95 (he ran 14.25 in the prelims); he also ran 49.06 in the intermediate hurdles prelims, but did not advance to the finals. Walker redshirted in 2001 at Southern California, competing as a safety and cornerback on the scout team. He was academically ineligible during 2002 spring ball, but managed to play in thirteen games as a reserve safety that year, making two solo tackles. He appeared in ten games as a reserve cornerback in 2003, posting three tackles with a pass deflection. Walker began the 2004 season as a reserve cornerback, but was shifted to wide receiver. He collected three tackles and caught one pass for 22 yards. He started five of eleven games at cornerback in 2005, missing two contests with a left ankle sprain. He registered a career-high 31 tackles (25 solos) with two interceptions and four deflected passes. In 47 games at Southern California, Walker started five times. He finished with 39 tackles (30 solos) with five pass deflections and two interceptions. He gained 22 yards on a reception, 4 yards on a punt return and 40 yards on a kickoff return.