Braylon Walker

Regardless of classification, Lafayette Christian is again one of the best football teams in the state. And a major reason why is senior quarterback Braylon Walker. Walker, who is in his second season under center for the Knights, is one of the most electrifying players in the state and arguably the most explosive offensive weapon in the Acadiana area. “He’s a kid that can do both,” Knights coach Matt Standiford said. “He can run it and he can throw it. He really puts pressure on the defense because he’s not a kid that is looking to run with the football all of the time. But when he creates things in the pocket, he can hit guys downfield and that really opens up our playbook.” Walker, who has committed to UL as a defensive back, has shown a tremendous amount of growth from last season to this year. “Last year, his first time starting and facing the quality of competition that we play, I think it opened up his eyes to a lot,” Standiford said. “Really after the Notre Dame game last year, you really begun to see his growth and development and that has really carried over into this year. “Not just in the physical tools, but in the mental side of the game. He understands things on a deeper level and his leadership has come a long way.” And his leadership ability has been on display on several occasions, especially within the locker room. It’s not uncommon for Walker to turn a mirror on himself and acknowledge the fact that “he’s not playing well” during halftime of games. “It’s a great quality of mine,” Walker said. “I’m not my biggest critic, but I’m most honest with myself and I’m always going to be honest with my teammates. So, if I’m going to get on them when they mess up, the only way they are going to respect me is if I acknowledge when I mess up and communicate to them ‘Hey, I need y’all right now. “I’m not playing my best ball game. I need y’all to help me out. I’m going to do better, but I need y’all. I’m going to perform better for y’all and because of y’all.’” On the year, Walker has completed 97 of 163 passes for 1,300 yards, 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions, while rushing for 813 yards and nine touchdowns on 107 carries. Despite his success through the air and on the ground, another area in which Walker believes he’s grown is no longer feeling he has to save the day. “Now, I don’t try as much to be Superman,” Walker said. “I don’t try to carry the team or will the team unless I have to in crunch time situations. I don’t try to do too much and instead just use the abilities God gave me and rely on my brothers, my teammates to pull us through.” While Walker is super competitive and takes football seriously, Standiford admits he does a great job of keeping everyone loose. “He’s a kid that does all of the right things all of the time,” Standiford said. “He’s also really funny. He has a game day outfit every Friday. He has a funny way of just making the game enjoyable for everyone. No matter if it is at practice, during a game or off the field, Braylon is just an enjoyable kid to be around.” On game day, Walker has dressed up as the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Men in Black, SpongeBob, a firefighter and a cowboy among other things. “When I dressed up, we won the game,” Walker recalled. “So, my teammates were like it was good luck. So, I have been dressing up every week.” And the one-time Walker didn’t dress up, the Knights loss to Shaw 31-13. “I’m not really superstitious or anything like that, but we had a bad game against Shaw, and I didn’t dress up,” Walker said. “So, now I try my best to dress up every week.” When asked how he would like to remember when his career at LCA is complete, Walker quickly replied “as more than a football player.” “I want to be remembered as a great leader, teammate and a great person,” Walker said. “I don’t want to be remembered as someone who was just a great football player. I want to be remembered for caring about the person next to me.”