From four-star recruit to rising star: The story behind Notre Dame freshman Jonaz Walton

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- When Georgia head coach Kirby Smart planned to arrive at Central High School in a helicopter to recruit one of the nation’s most promising running backs, there was just one problem.

Jonaz Walton didn’t want to miss chemistry class.

While most high school athletes would jump at the opportunity to meet one of college football’s biggest names, Walton was more concerned about the assignment waiting for him in the classroom.

“And his response was like, ‘Ah, you know, we got this chemistry work. I don’t know that I want to miss that,’” recalled Umbrah Brown, Walton’s former high school coach. “And I’m like, man, if you don’t get your tail down here! We’ll get that classwork figured out.”

It’s a story that perfectly captures the 18-year-old freshman who is quickly becoming one of the most intriguing players in Notre Dame’s backfield.

Last Saturday, Walton delivered a breakout performance against North Carolina, rushing for a career-high 120 yards on 23 carries. He received more rushing attempts than Aneyas Williams and Nolan James Jr. combined, making a compelling case for an expanded role in the Fighting Irish offense.

For Walton’s father, William, the chemistry class story was hardly surprising. A former competitive powerlifter who now works as a strength and track coach, William introduced his son to the gym when he was just 6 weeks old. But physical development was only part of the equation. Excellence in the classroom was just as important.

“I would always kind of jokingly tell him if it’s below a 95, it’s an F,” William said. “And he took hold of that, and he tried to do his best at whatever he did.”

Interestingly, football wasn’t Walton’s first sport. He started with baseball, a career that lasted all of three weeks before he eventually found his way to the gridiron.

It didn’t take long to discover he had something special.

“He was the fastest kid in the county, and you know, from that point, that’s what started it all,” William said.

Walton scored three touchdowns in his very first football game. His natural speed made him difficult to catch, but as he developed into a four-star prospect at Central High School in Carrollton, Georgia, Brown noticed something even more impressive than his athletic ability.

His preparation.

“In high school, he kind of treated his game week like a pro,” Brown said. “I mean, he was making sure that he was getting the proper nutrition, electrolytes, sleep, film study.”

Yet away from the field, there was another side to him that still makes his former coach laugh. When Brown thinks about Walton’s personality, one of the first things that comes to mind isn’t football. It’s Legos.

“What is he doing during his free time? Freaking Legos, like huge Lego sets,” Brown said. “I’m telling you, he is a different kid, man.”

One of his favorites is the Marvel Avengers Tower.

“Legos are amazing. I love building things,” Walton said. “I love the Marvel movies, and it’s just kind of cool where you’re seeing something that’s not real, and then you can bring it into your room and you design it yourself. It’s really fun.”

That curiosity and appreciation for building something piece by piece carry over into how Walton approaches his future. And when it came time to choose where he would continue his academic and athletic career, he already had a pretty clear blueprint.

After visiting Stanford, he told his family he didn’t need to see another school. He wanted Notre Dame. According to Brown, the decision went well beyond the opportunity to play for a nationally prominent football program.

“Everything matched up: the school, the academics, along with the prestige of the university, mixed in with the football piece, and their style of play,” Brown said.

Despite finding his place in South Bend, Walton has already made several trips back to Georgia to see his family. Last Saturday, however, he didn’t have to make the trip.

His family came to him. A breakout in the rain, with family watching. With his loved ones in the stands at North Carolina, including his younger brother, who was attending on a recruiting visit, Walton put together the most productive performance of his young college career.

And as rain fell in Chapel Hill, his father recognized an opportunity.

“A lot of players complain about their environment, but your environment should not dictate your effort,” William said. “So, when it started to rain, I said, ‘OK, it’s our time.’”

Walton responded with 23 carries for 120 yards, establishing himself as a serious contender for a larger share of Notre Dame’s rushing workload.

As the handoffs continued, so did his confidence.

“That confidence, it was getting higher and higher every time I got to touch the ball,” Walton said. “I felt really comfortable, and that’s one thing that helps me a lot. When I feel comfortable, I can play my best.”

For Notre Dame fans, it was a glimpse of what the true freshman could become.

For the people who watched him grow up in Carrollton, it was simply confirmation of what they had believed for years.

“Nobody down here is surprised at all,” Brown said. “Nobody’s in shock if he’s the starter come Saturday or whenever. It’s not going to be a surprise to anybody back home. You know, we’re all just extremely proud of him.”

And whether his future involves the NFL, computer science or something entirely different, Walton is determined to build something that lasts well beyond his final carry.