Clemson trending heavily for four-star RB Gary Walker

Four-star running back Gary Walker has picked up major Clemson buzz, with On3/Rivals listing the Tigers as the heavy favorite to receive the RB at 84.2 percent. The 6-foot, 200-pound back out of Creekside High School in Fairburn, Ga., is one of the more interesting names on Clemson’s offensive board.

Walker is ranked by 247Sports as the No. 145 overall player in the 2027 class, the No. 7 running back and the No. 14 player in Georgia in the 247Sports Composite. On 247Sports’ own rankings, he is listed as the No. 163 overall player, the No. 7 running back and the No. 13 player in the state.

With C.J. Spiller leading the charge and a backup running back competition that looks to be anyones game for the next 2 years this seems like the kind of prospect that has only upside. Clemson has a 247Sports Crystal Ball prediction at 100 percent for Walker, while On3/Rivals also has the Tigers well ahead of Florida State, Virginia Tech, Penn State and Stanford (83%). It is still recruiting, so nothing is done until a player actually commits and signs, but this is about as strong as the public indicators get.

The scouting report makes the fit pretty obvious. Walker is described by 247Sports national analyst Hudson Standish as a powerfully built one-cut runner with top-end speed, open-field creativity, and the physicality to lower his pads through contact. That is a pretty clean Spiller-type target. Clemson does not need a running back who dances around and makes every run complicated. Walker sounds like the kind of back who gets downhill, hits the crease, and makes defensive backs make business decisions.

He also comes with real upside as a three-down option. According to the report, Walker has flashed promise as both a receiver and pass protector, which matters because Clemson’s offense needs backs who can stay on the field in more than just early-down rushing situations. The comparison listed on 247Sports is former Buffalo Bills running back Karlos Williams.