CLINTON’S JOSEF WALKER EARNS JUNCTION DELI METRO JACKSON FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK 9-18-24

By Robert Wilson

Clinton’s Josef Walker has a rich bloodline of athletes among his relatives, including an uncle who was a professional basketball player and two cousins who play in the NFL.

One of NFL cousins is former Heisman Trophy winner, No. 1 overall draft pick and current Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray and Friday night Walker probably looked like Murray to Brandon.

The 5-foot-9, 180-pound junior quarterback accounted for 431 yards and four touchdowns – completed 23 of 38 passes for 387 yards and three touchdowns, caught a 10-yard TD pass and ran 14 times for 34 yards – and led Clinton to a 65-62 upset over previously undefeated and 2023 MHSAA Class 7A semifinalist Brandon at Clinton.

For his outstanding performance, Walker has been named the Junction Deli/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Football Player of the Week.

While Walker might have looked like Murray to Brandon, he probably brought back memories of another NFL player, former All-American Clinton quarterback Cam Akers, to long time Clinton football fans.

Walker completed TD passes of 14 yards to junior wide receiver Jaydann Hollins in the first quarter, 25 yards to junior wide receiver Erich Johnson in the second quarter, 87 yards to Hollins in the third quarter and caught a 10-yard TD pass from Hollins in the fourth quarter.

Walker’s heroics helped Clinton improve its record to 2-1 and double its win total of last season.

Walker has completed 62 of 94 passes (66 percent) for 734 yards and five TDs in three games.

“Josef showed incredible poise and command of our offense Friday,” said first-year Clinton coach John Carr, who replaced Judd Boswell, who was promoted to athletic director. “He made some great throws from the pocket, used his legs when he needed and delivered some really accurate balls on the move.

“Josef has great competitive character and very driven to be a complete quarterback. He has confidence and trust in his teammates, and you can see the belief they have in him also. It’s been fun to watch him grow and develop since spring ball. Josef has natural leadership qualities and has shown on-field toughness and grit. He’s exactly what you want from your quarterback.”

Walker was a backup quarterback last season and completed 11 of 14 passes for 133 yards and two TDs as a sophomore.

`Walker is also a key player on Clinton’s baseball team. He plays second base, third base and pitches and had a .367 batting average, scored 23 runs (tied for the team high), and led the team with 9 stolen bases last season as a sophomore.

Walker’s other two relatives who are pro athletes are Walker’s uncle, Maurice Carter, former Forest Hill High and LSU star who played professional basketball overseas, and Walker’s cousin Devin Duvernay, who is a two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL.

Walker’s parents are Jaboria Rash-Walker and Jerry Walker. Jaboria played basketball at Whitehaven High in Memphis. She coached high school girls basketball for eight seasons at Ray Brooks High, Cleveland Eastside High (now Cleveland Central), and Greenville High. Jerry played quarterback at Nugent Center in Benoit, and coached football at Ray Brooks, winning a state title in 2007. Walker’s younger brother, Jaden, is a sophomore at Clinton and plays outside linebacker and is on special teams. Jaden also plays on the Clinton baseball team. Walker’s older brother Joshua played linebacker and wide receiver for Clinton and graduated in 2023. He is now a member of the famous Jackson State band, Sonic Boom of the South. Walker’s uncle, Gregory Walker, played football at Delta State and is in the Hall of Fame.

Clinton, 2-1, plays Grenada, 2-1, at home Friday night.

Mississippi Scoreboard selects a football player from Hinds, Madison, or Rankin counties each week. Coaches can nominate a player by text or call to Robert Wilson at 601.506.2276.