4-Star 2018 QB Allan Walters Updates Recruitment, Commitment Timeline

HIGHTSTOWN, N.J. — Allan Walters spent the first two seasons of his prep career lined up across from America's premier prospect on a day-to-day basis. 

Yards away during Paramus Catholic High School practices, defensive lineman Rashan Gary watched a young quarterback blossom.

"Allan is going to get a lot of college attention when people see what he can do," the No. 1 2016 recruit told Bleacher Report in the summer of 2015. 

That process didn't take long, as Walters entered his sophomore campaign claiming offers from Alabama, Michigan, Ole Miss, Louisville and Kentucky. Gary, among the most heavily pursued players this decade, clearly witnessed the same traits scintillating receiver Jahan Dotson sees firsthand these days. 

"He's basically a magician with the ball in his hands," Dotson told B/R.

Rated the No. 4 prospect at his position in Scout.com's 2018 rankings, he joined Walters as a newcomer at the Peddie School this past offseason. This duo produced 20 pass completions for 445 yards and three touchdowns during their first three games together, per MaxPreps.

Now a month into his junior campaign, Walters is settled into his new surroundings since transferring from Paramus Catholic. He also continues to pile up scholarship offers.

Texas Tech and West Virginia each offered last month. A member of the Mountaineers coaching staff stood on the Peddie School sideline Saturday, while the Red Raiders managed to make an early impression.

"Texas Tech has been talking to me a lot, and I really like their offense, so that's a school that stands out," Walters said. "They put up so many points every game, every year."

These fresh options provide the 6'2", 205-pound passer with more universities to consider. He's in the process of planning out as many as four campus visits by year's end, with Alabama, Vanderbilt, Texas A&M and Ole Miss also in the mix.

Walters, who attended Rutgers' home game against Iowa in September, has already visited some of these schools and will use return trips as a way to whittle down his choices. 

"I want to feel like it's home," he said. "Football isn't going to last forever, so I want to see myself living there as a student day in and day out. Being comfortable with the university and the coaches is most important."

Walters initially aimed to announce a college choice before the start of his junior year but opted to extend the process. While he's yet to lock in a specific commitment date, early winter is a probable timeline at this point.

"I really still have no idea where I want to go," Walters said. "Some people will blow smoke and tell you that, but I truly have no idea where I'm going to end up. I'm keeping things pretty wide-open with colleges and focused on finishing the season out strong with a championship."

He helps put the Peddie School in excellent position to pursue a title.

Walters is completing 73 percent of pass attempts, averaging approximately 300 yards and two touchdowns per contest. His rushing ability is also apparent, as he averages nearly 10 yards per carry. 

"He's perfect in his execution and hasn't turned the ball over all year," Peddie School head coach Chris Malleo said. "For the amount of passes he's already thrown, that's a remarkable stat. He's done a great job managing the offense, being the point guard and distributing the ball to our playmakers."

Malleo and his staff trust Walters with a wide array of responsibilities on game day. He has plenty of run-pass option plays that rely on his judgement based on defensive reads. 

Walters operates with a high level of comfort in the pocket but isn't restricted to it. His ability to evade pressure and extend downfield opportunities with mobility is a crucial part of the positional makeup that makes him appealing to so many collegiate scouts.

"We have a guy who can throw the ball better than most high school quarterbacks in the country, but he does more than that," teammate and Clemson offensive tackle commit Noah DeHond said. "He's dynamic because he reads defenses and reacts really well."

Walters, still barely midway through his high school career, displays the skill set and mentality to compete early on a college roster. However, a quick rise to starting snaps could prove incredibly difficult with a few programs in contention. 

Alabama implements a true freshman starter in Jalen Hurts, who has been fantastic for the nation's No. 1 team, and carries commitments from two 2016 Elite 11 finalists (MVP Tua Tagovailoa and former Kentucky pledge Mac Jones). Ole Miss appears set for the future with 2015 Elite 11 MVP Shea Patterson preparing to replace prolific senior Chad Kelly.

The Crimson Tide and Rebels both hosted Walters this spring and may welcome him back before a decision is determined. He shrugs off the notion of competition preventing a pledge.

"No matter where I go, I'll have to compete with somebody, whether that's an Elite 11 MVP or a quarterback who had one offer coming out of high school," Walters said. "Everywhere in college there are going to be guys in front of you, and eventually guys coming in behind you. I just need to get to campus, work hard, watch film and buy in to what the coaches are telling me."

Another SEC squad recently started to show increased interest. Interim LSU offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger is consistently in contact, according to Walters.

Aside from the Tigers, dialogue is expanding with Michigan State, Florida State and Penn State.

"Offers from those schools would definitely shake some things up," he said.

Walters, who plans to study business in college, could also help the program of his choice make inroads with Dotson. Roommates at the Peddie School, they've quickly become as dangerous as any 2018 quarterback-receiver combo in the country.

"We've had this bond with each other, so bringing it to the next level would be insane," said Dotson, whose offer sheet features Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame and Ohio State.

Tyler Donohue is a national recruiting analyst for Bleacher Report. All player ratings and information are courtesy of Scout.com.

Follow Tyler via Twitter: @TDsTake.