Former target Walker switches course, will transfer to Miami

In an interesting turn of events, former Florida and Miami Norland offensive tackle Issiah Walker recently entered the transfer portal after spending only four months in Gainesville. Early Saturday afternoon, the 6’4” 309 lb. lineman announced on Twitter that he is returning home and transferring to the University of Miami. He originally signed with Florida as part of their 2020 recruiting class and he had been enrolled since  January. Miami is essentially getting the 15th-best tackle in the country coming out of high school and 156th overall regardless of position.

https://twitter.com/walker_issiah/status/1259183711985315840

Walker will also apply for a hardship waiver to gain immediate eligibility to play this season. 

Even before Walker signed with the Gators during this past Early Signing Period, it was no secret that Miami wanted his services. He decommitted from South Carolina in July of 2019 and from then on, it was strictly a Miami-Florida battle. 

Walker flirted with both schools often and took frequent visits to Coral Gables, forming great relationships with head coach Manny Diaz and then-offensive line coach Butch Barry. Dan Mullen and the Gators eventually won out in October and received a commitment from him. 

But once he entered the transfer portal this past Monday, Miami’s coaches were quick to make a move.

There was no specific reasoning given by Walker on his decision to transfer but it is essentially a homecoming of sorts as his high school is only a mile and a half away from Hard Rock Stadium. 

This is a huge win for the Canes. Despite having a top-15 recruiting class during this past cycle, Miami only signed two offensive linemen in Jalen Rivers and Chris Washington. 

But the unit overall performed very poorly in 2019 and needed much more help. Diaz went as far as even switching to former UNLV OL coach Garin Justice to lead this year’s unit. Walker can now come in provide that help up front as well as add to the depth for the next few years.