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There are several athletes from Chambers County who are dominating at the next level. LaFayette has several in the college basketball and football ranks. Jordan Walker graduated from LaFayette in 2020 and is already standing out amongst the pack. 

After graduating Walker immediately signed to play football at the University of Chattanooga. At LaFayette, Walker did it all. He played quarterback, wideout, safety and returned kicks during his time as a Bulldog. 

Chattanooga added new challenges for Walker. He was no longer the big man on campus as a freshman. Instead, Walker had to wait his turn and learn from the defensive backs ahead of him. 

“Coming into it and sitting behind those guys, the process definitely wasn’t easy,” Walker said. “I had a good support system around me. I had my family with me. They helped me get through it. I got closer to God during the process. He was just showing me the way, and I just stayed down and learned from the guys that were ahead of me. They were actually able to give me a lot of great information to carry my game to the next level. When it was my time up, I just looked to go out and make the best out of it.” 

Walker waited his turn and eventually started finding his way onto the field more each season. He also started to show flashes of what was to come early on. 

One of the biggest moments to start Walker’s career came in his third season. In a top-ten FCS matchup against Mercer, Walker came away with his first career interception. The interception felt like a normal play to him at first, but he was left in awe after watching the play in the locker room after the game. 

“That feeling was spectacular,” Walker said. “That was like a top-ten game. It was very hyped up, the crowd was into it. For me to get my first interception the way I did, it was a wild moment.” 

If the interception against Mercer was a display of Walker’s potential at the next level, then his production last season was him starting to realize that potential. As one of the main defensive backs, Walker had his most productive season last year. 

Walker played in 13 games last season for Chattanooga. He finished with three interceptions, 73 total tackles and four pass deflections. 

“It felt great,” Walker said. “As a kid, you always dream about playing at the next level, at a high level at that. To be able to do that, it’s a blessing. I’m nowhere near where I want to be. There’s a lot more work to be done. During the moment, it was cool, but I know I have a lot more in me.” 

Walker and the Mocs have a lot more expectations next season. Chattanooga returns a plethora of playmakers from last season and are expected to be a top-ten team in the FCS. Walker is expected to be a full-time starter in the secondary next season, and he has high expectations for himself. 

“My goals for next season are to come out with All-Socon, All-American honors,” Walker said. “Really just get my name out there. As a team, I want to win the SoCon championship and win the natty. Win a national championship and make memories with my brothers. Just have fun and enjoy the game.” 

“With the team we have coming back, I feel like we have a great chance to be a special group,” Walker said. “The rankings came back out with the FCS polls and we were in the top 10. As a team, we don’t get into that, but we know what we could have coming back.” 

Several athletes from LaFayette are currently making a name for themselves at the next level. The 2020 graduating class has several currently at the college level. Corey Boston, Tae Burton and Walker are just a few of the athletes from the 2020 class who are making an impact at the next level. 

“That 2020 class was special,” Walker said. “I’m pretty sure it was special for the area as well. It was a loaded class full of athletes. We’re all brothers. We played together since we were small and all the way up through high school. Our bond and connection are very strong.” 

Walker has been in Chattanooga since he graduated from LaFayette in 2020, but he is still a Bulldog through and through and through. He still carries so much of LaFayette with him and credits his hometown for driving him. 

Walker wanted to make it past LaFayette and play at a higher level, and he has accomplished that through the support of his family and friends back home. 

“LaFayette had a lot to do with who I am today,” Walker said. “Growing up in LaFayette, it’s a small town, everybody knows everybody. It’s very family-oriented. Everybody from LaFayette, they’ve been there to support me and push me…It pushed me to want to go out, get more and be on top of the world one day.” 

Coming from a 2A school like LaFayette can make it tough for athletes to get noticed or get an opportunity at the next level. Several athletes have gone to play at the next level from LaFayette, but it is far from easy. 

Walker hopes that he and some of the other athletes currently playing at the next level can serve as an inspiration for athletes growing up in LaFayette and Chambers County. 

“That’s one of my biggest inspirations to keep going as hard as I can go,” Walker said. “It’s just to make sure that the younger generation back home can see that it’s possible… Being from where we’re from, we can actually go be something. Whatever we want to be in life, we can go make it possible.” 

Walker has two years of eligibility left at the college ranks, but he is already focused on accomplishing his goals after his time in college is up. 

Making the NFL has always been a dream for Walker, and he believes his IQ as a defensive back should make him a prospect over the next two years. 

“My goals are to make it to the combine, show my skills and talent and get drafted,” Walker said.