Senior Bowl Special with Baylor’s J.D. Walton

When discussing a football team’s offense, few mention the linemen first.

The offensive line is the unsung hero on that side of the ball, protecting the quarterback, opening up holes for th running backs and creating enough time and space for the wide receivers to get open. And on that line, perhaps none could be as important as the center. You notice him every down as he exchanges the ball with the quarterback, but do you even know his name?

 Well, at Baylor for the last three years the center of the o line was J.D. Walton. This week at the Senior Bowl Walton is working with a trio of great quarterbacks that you just might have heard of Zac Robinson of Oklahoma State, Jarrett Brown of West Virginia and Tim Tebow of, well the world it seems – ok, of Florida.

Walton took a few minutes after practice to talk to my colleague Jason Roberts of sister site PRISM Press Group and talk about the Senior Bowl, the Baylor Bears and the Big 12:

How are you feeling as the practices go along?

I feel great. Mixing in good with the O Line, we’re getting together, starting to click together, work together as a whole front so things are coming together are we’re going to roll on Saturday.

What was the hardest part in getting to this point of gelling together as a unit?

It was definitely like footwork, how we step, terminology-wise, getting to know each other and names. You’ve got to know each other by name – we call them out so you know what we’re doing together. Big thing was just terminology and really just getting to know each other.

What are some of the things you’re learning this week that will help you at the next level?

Everything. You soak everything in, you’re a sponge this week. Take everything in that these NFL coaches are giving you and retain it as much as you can.

Baylor has begun to make a lot of waves under Briles recently. What do you think has been the difference in the last couple years at Baylor?

 Definitely our personnel. He’s recruiting at a whole new level, getting players that we’ve never gotten before and the program’s turning around and it’s showing. We lost our quarterback early in the season this year. Next year it’s going to be dangerous, it’s going to be scary. They’ve got a lot of speed on the outside on the offensive side of the ball and defense they’re bringing a lot of guys back so it’ll be fun. It’ll be exciting for them.

Talk about the offensive line at Baylor. Is that the difference maker for Griffin?

The offensive line was good. It’s been good the last two years that he’s been there. They’re just recruiting bigger and faster guys, probably the biggest recruiting class they’ve had O Linemen-wise, size-wize so O Line has definitely got something to do with it, getting all our blocks and being angry.

How does it feel to represent Baylor and the Big 12 here at the Senior Bowl?

Oh it’s awesome. I’d do anything for the Big 12 and Baylor. Baylor’s my family and the Big 12’s part of the family tree so it’s awesome to represent and I want to do it in a good way.

Has Briles prepared you for this day and this week?

Definitely. I mean, he gave me all the support I’ve needed, my position coaches have been here and it’s been a blast just hanging out.

What’s next for you after the Senior Bowl?

Go back to CES Atlanta and keep training my butt off for the combine.