The Final Cockdown: Jonathan Walton.|USC Hot Topics|Team BattleGround|College BattleGround

Can one of the Gamecocks’ most consistent performers turn into a secret weapon this season?

Jonathan Walton

Senior, Linebacker

6’0” / 230 lbs

Daphne, AL (Bayside Academy)

Recruitment

consensus three-star recruit, nation’s 52nd-best inside linebacker

Other major offers

Auburn, Tennessee, Clemson, Penn State, among others.

College Career

As a true freshman, the majority of Walton’s minutes were logged mostly on special teams while filling time at linebacker. Playing behind Skai Moore on the depth chart in his second season, Walton saw action in all thirteen games, earning a starting spot for the final six contests. He finished with the third-most tackles (61), including 38 in the final five games of the season. Awarded most-improved linebacker of the season, as well as most-improved defensive sophomore. Last season, he saw time in all twelve games, started in six, logging 42 tackles including 5 for loss. Also logged time at tailback starting with the Tennessee game, catching a ten-yard touchdown pass. Named Most Improved linebacker for the second straight season.

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2016 Outlook

Jonathan Walton has worn many hats throughout his career as a South Carolina Gamecock. The loss of Skai Moore will certainly influence his role at the linebacker position, and despite being almost certainly dependent on the decisions that Travaris Robinson and Coleman Hutzler, Walton’s ability to play all three of the linebacker positions as well as the tailback position means that he will be just as certain to play a major role on both sides of the ball this year. Walton is a Senior leader with over 100 tackles and a reputation for hard-hitting, gritty play, and he’s never been outside of the good graces of the coaching staff. Let’s hope that more memorable moments are in store for the multitalented playmaker.

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Trivia

Jonathan Walton was the first player ever from his high school (Bayside Academy) in Alabama to sign a letter of intent to play football for a Division I NCAA program.