PSU’s Von Walker Earns Scholarship

UNIVERSITY PARK – Penn State’s Von Walker had to work through two head coaches and several position changes, but the Central Mountain grad’s perseverance has paid off.

Walker had a meeting with Nittany Lion head coach James Franklin late this (Monday) afternoon and the junior-to-be was informed he will be on scholarship for his last two years in the PSU program.

Walker had been a run-on at Penn State after a record-breaking career at Central Mountain. He started his collegiate career as a running back, switched to safety and a year ago to outside linebacker. He has been a stalwart on special teams in both his freshman and sophomore years. His showing in the recent Blue-White Game garnered him additional notice and Bob Shoop, the team’s defensive coordinator, acknowledged his performance in the spring when he said, “Von Walker is, arguably, the most improved player on the defensive side of the ball.”

Word of the scholarship for the Mill Hall resident spread quickly among his teammates as congratulatory posts were tweeted by several players, including wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton: “Congratulations to my great friend @VTW21 on earning his athletic scholarship here to play football. All love man.”

Walker becomes the third Lock Haven area football players to earn scholarships at Penn State after walking on. The previous recipients were two place kickers who graduated from the former Lock Haven High School, Travis Forney in the mid 1990s and current Chicago Bear standout Robbie Gould in the mid 2000s.