5-star EDGE Zayden Walker returns to Miami for Saturday BBQ: ‘Since the first visit I came down here, I knew I was coming back’

Ellavilla (Ga.) Schley County 2025 five-star EDGE Zayden Walker has visited Miami twice after his Saturday trip for the Hurricanes’ end-of-July barbecue, and there’s reason for Canes fans to be optimistic about the program’s chances with the No. 6 prospect in the On300 and the unanimous No. 1 EDGE in all four major recruiting databases.

The 6-foot-1.5, 225-pound EDGE said he felt he had to return to Miami after the Hurricanes made a major splash on his May 19 visit, and he’s maintained daily contact with the Canes’ coaching staff through approved channels. The Hurricanes have pursued Walker just as aggressively, if not more aggressively, than any 2025 prospect, and the attention he’s received from the staff has made a positive impression.

“I’d say (I returned) because I felt like they wanted me more than any other school,” Walker said. “How can I put it? They talk to me every day about coming down here. Since the first visit I came down here, I knew I was coming back.”

Walker places Miami among his top group of schools along with Georgia, South Carolina and Florida State. He was originally expected to visit Georgia this weekend before changing his schedule to head to Coral Gables. Walker added he feels he knows where the Hurricanes sit and said “they’re very high” on his radar.

Miami linebackers coach Derek Nicholson has led the charge in Walker’s recruitment and told the five-star prospect the Hurricanes hope to use him in a variety of ways — dropping into coverage, blitzing off the edge, having one-on-one rush opportunities with offensive linemen and being used to plug run gaps.

“I’d say coach (Nicholson), the staff, they make me feel at home,” Walker said. “Up here, it doesn’t even feel like a college town. It feels like paradise. Paradise out here. …(They tell me) how much they want me back down here. It’s like talking to a big brother, I’d say.”

So what’s impressing him most about the Hurricanes?

“I’d say everything,” Walker said. “Everything. Coaching staff, everything. I mean everything.”

Walker said he has to return to Miami again this fall for a game along with Georgia and “most of the top schools” on his radar.

CaneSport’s Take

Miami swung for the fences trying to bring Walker to campus for this weekend’s barbecue, and it looks to have paid off. The Hurricanes couldn’t have asked for much more from this weekend’s visit or to be on better terms moving forward for a prospect who has only visited twice and in the heart of SEC country.

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