Newly converted Michigan football cornerback brings unique skill set to the table

During spring ball, the Wolverines decided to move former three-star wide receiver Amorion Walker from wideout to cornerback ahead of the 2023 season. The Maize and Blue lacked defensive back depth heading into the year, and with the addition of Walker and transfer corner Josh Wallace, this year’s defensive backfield is looking incredible. According to second-year defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, this newly converted Michigan football cornerback brings a “unique” skill set to the table for his “no star” defense.

Jesse Minter says converted Michigan football cornerback Amorion Walker has a unique skill set

Jesse Minter addressed the media at the end of last week. There, at Schmbechler Hall on Thursday morning, he explained how Amorion Walker was transitioning and went in-depth on his special set of skills.

“Yeah, I think I said this, maybe in the spring, but the difference was Mikey (Mike Sainristil) has been in these moments, and he’s made crucial touchdown catches in key situations,” Jesse Minter said when asked about the different between Sainristil and Walker changing from WR to CB. “And he’s made plays before he moved over to the defense. Amorion, while he has a tremendous skill set, very unique for a corner, just like when you — we know that when you’re in the NFL, and you’re looking at players, you’re like, wow, like this would be ideal if you had a guy this big, this long, this fast this quick. Like, that’s a very rare combination. So the cool thing about Amorion is he has a very unique skill set and very unique traits for the position.”

The hurdles that lie ahead

So, according to Jesse Minter, what will be the biggest part of Walkers’ transition from wideout to cornerback this year?

“It’s going to be for him about playing in front of 110,000 people, handling that moment, handling the mental side of play after play after play after play, the ability to respond, the ability to come back from good things, the ability to come back from bad things, and I’m very pleased with the progress I’ve seen from him so far.”

During fall camp, Amorion Walker is battling Josh Wallace and others for the CB2 starting role, which will be across from CB1 Will Johnson. If Walker can continue to improve and develop, he could become an all-star at cornerback for the Wolverines this fall and in years to come.