Hometown recruit Julian Walker flips commitment, signs with Gamecocks
Julian Walker will be a South Carolina Gamecock after all.
The Dutch Fork defensive end flipped his commitment from Michigan and signed with Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks on Thursday at a ceremony at his high school. Walker had been committed to the Wolverines since July, but South Carolina never stopped recruiting him.
Walker visited Michigan over the weekend but went to numerous USC games this fall. Walker’s father, Jamil, is one of the Gamecocks’ assistant strength and conditioning coaches. Wanting to stay closer to family and his familiarity with the Gamecocks program were some of the key factors in his decision.
“Lot of talks throughout this week. But I felt comfortable and felt that this was the right decision to make,” Walker said. “Coach Sterling Lucas (USC defensive ends coach), my father being here. This is a great staff that I have developed a great relationship with. They are like my big brothers. This is a great fit for me and I felt comfortable trying to build something at South Carolina.”
Walker didn’t inform USC coach Shane Beamer of his choice before the announcement, but he called Michigan coach Sharrone Moore to let him know that he wouldn’t be a Wolverine.
“It was a tough one, a hard conversation. I built a great relationship with guys at Michigan, especially defensive line coach Lou Esposito and Coach Moore,” Walker said. “Coach Moore was the last person I talked to and that was a tough conversation. It was two hard situations where you’ve got great relationships with South Carolina and Michigan.
“It all came down to my heart and where I wanted to be. ... Michigan is a great place and program, but I felt this is the place I needed to be.”
Walker plans on enrolling in January and taking part in the Gamecocks’ spring practices.
His announcement came on the second day of the three-day early signing period and two days before his final high school game as Dutch Fork faces Summerville in the Class 5A Division I state championship game on Saturday. All of his teammates, friends, family and coaches gathered in the Silver Foxes’ team meeting room for the announcement.
Walker made his choice public with South Carolina and Michigan hats on the table. He looked at both hats before putting on a black USC hat.
According to Walker’s father, the original plan was to play a video with USC women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley announcing Walker’s decision to play for the hometown Gamecocks. That plan had to be scrapped after technical difficulties.
Walker is a Top 100 national recruit and the country’s 10th-best edge rusher prospect, according to the 247Sports Composite that factors in all ratings. The Gamecocks’ Class of 2026 was ranked No. 20 by 247Sports before Walker’s announcement. USC is expected to sign QB Landon Duckworth later in the day Thursday.
The Gamecocks went 4-8 this season and missed a bowl game. USC has fired three coaches, but that didn’t deter Walker, who said the Gamecocks have the pieces in place to turn things around. One of those pieces is edge rusher Dylan Stewart, who Walker is looking forward to playing with along the defensive front for the Gamecocks.
Walker’s father mentioned the relationship his son and Stewart built during the recruiting process especially during his visit for the Coastal Carolina game last month. There is some speculation that Stewart might transfer, but Julian Walker didn’t seem to think that will happen.
“You will see that Dylan Stewart and Julian Walker duo soon,” Julian Walker said. “I think we can do something scary and be a scary duo that can come upon college football.”
Walker is having a big senior season. He leads the Silver Foxes with 68 tackles (21 for loss), 15 quarterback hurries and is second on the team with 10 sacks.
Walker was selected for the NC-SC Shrine Bowl all-star game and Navy All-American game in San Antonio in January. Dutch Fork coach Tom Knotts called Walker a “Sunday-type,” meaning he expects his star defensive end to be in the NFL one day.
Knotts said Walker’s game has continued to grow during his time at Dutch Fork, especially his leadership on the field.
“Any time I need to talk to someone or need someone to say something, Julian is the guy,” Knotts said. “He is just a great student-athlete and leader. South Carolina is getting a great product, and he will do well.”
This story was originally published December 4, 2025 at 11:49 AM.
