Dynamite Baker's Dozen lineman Cameron Walker draws tight end attention for the McCallie (with video)

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Anders Breivik was convicted Friday, Aug. 24, 2012, of terrorism and premeditated murder for bomb and gun attacks that killed 77 people.

Anders Breivik sentenced

Video available Watch Video
photo Cameron Walker is defensive end and tight end for McCallie School.

No. 6 Charles Cameron WalkerMcCallieDefensive end/Offensive tackleHeight: 6-foot-4Weight: 245 poundsCollege interest: Offers from UAB, Campbell University and UTC; receiving interest from Duke and MTSU.

Cam Walker once caught five touchdown passes as a middle school tight end.

The McCallie senior hopes one day to return to such moments.

It isn't likely to happen this year, because he's penciled in as a right tackle on the Blue Tornado's triple-option offense.

"We don't run a tight end that much at McCallie, although the coaches have talked about putting in some tight-end schemes for me," Walker said.

Whether they add some plays to take further advantage of Walker's skills, Blue Tornado coach Ralph Potter likes what he has seen of the 6-foot-4, 245-pounder.

"He has improved himself greatly," Potter said. "If he plays as well as he has prepared, it will make us much better up front."

Although Walker is playing an O-line spot and defensive end, it is as a tight end that he is being recruited -- with scholarship offers from Alabama-Birmingham, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Campbell University and interest also from Middle Tennessee State and Duke.

"UAB is at the top of my list right now, but I just camped at MTSU and they've been calling my coaches. MTSU would be No. 1 if they offered," he said.

Duke coach David Cutcliffe, while an assistant at Tennessee, recruited Dallas Walker, Cam's brother, so he knows the family and also has talked with Cam.

Each recruiter sees him as a tight end like his brother, who played collegiately at Western Michigan before signed a free-agent contract with the San Diego Chargers this past spring following an impressive performance at a regional combine.

Because of his size (6-6, 245), Dallas already may have opened some doors for his younger brother. He played a handful of games with the Georgia Rampage of the Ultimate Indoor Football League before the regional combine and impressed the Chargers enough that they interviewed him immediately after the tryout. A few hours later his agent had a three-year offer.

"He's always been there for me and has always helped me with my football career," the younger Walker said.

The only NFL player who approaches the high esteem in which Walker holds his brother is Tim Tebow, the ex-Forida quarterback who's now with the New England Patriots.

"He is a godly role model for my life and somebody I can always look up to," Walker said.

Like for Tebow, God plays a major role in Walker's life, including his pregame preparations.

"I listen to music and stay focused, but I get in a quiet place and pray before every game and thank God for the ability to step out on the field and play the greatest game ever," he said.

Contact Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfreepress.com