Recruiting Report: Brady Walthall (Moorhead-2021)

Dating back to the days of Chase Morlock in the early 2010’s, the Moorhead Spuds have produced some of Northern Minnesota’s most hard-nosed recruits of the past decade, and this upcoming recruiting class is shaping up to be on the deepest in a long time. This means a lot, as Moorhead has been one of the most consistent teams in the Northwest part of the state -especially in 4A/5A - and went 8-0 in the regular season in both 2015 and 2012, 7-1 in 2014, 6-2 in 2017, and 5-3 this past fall before getting hot and winning their section + qualifying for state in 2019. Even the Spuds second to worst season of the 2010’s, 2011, Moorhead started playing their best football at the right time and won three straight section games to qualify for the state tournament. This is a legitimate football team year after year, and regardless of record, they are tough and have a knack of balling out in the postseason. They did have an untraditional down year in 2018, as they went 1-7 in the regular season, but in large part due to this recruits hard work commitment to his craft, Moorhead got on the right track again with their state tournament qualifying 2019 season. [caption id="attachment_17432" align="alignright" width="215"] Snag.[/caption] This recruit: Brady Walthall, is a perfect embodiment of that hard-nosed playing style and clutchness, as he put up monster numbers last year in the regular season and playoffs as a junior, and along with his brother Blake, makeup one of the most dangerous receiver tandems in Minnesota. The 6’0, 165 lb. speedster clocked a 4.58 40-yard dash, and used that speed to catch 80 balls for 1,038 yards and 11 TDs last fall. He was kind enough to talk to Northstar Football News about where he’s at in his recruitment process, what he does well as a WR, turning around the Spuds after that 2018 season, and more! Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy! <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/8727369/5e02c8a4688ed508b49ddf4e">Junior SZN</a> NFN: Hello and thank you for your time, Brady! Please begin by telling us a little about where you’re from, when you started playing football, what you love about the game, and your 2019 stats and measurables! Walthall: “My name is Brady Walthall, I’m from Moorhead. Minnesota and born in Dubuque, Iowa. I started playing football around the age of 10. Some fun facts about me are I play two other sports in baseball and basketball. I love taking trips with the family, I like hanging with friends and my favorite holiday is Christmas. Some stuff I love about football is being around teammates and friends at practice, I love being able to make big plays catching the ball and just the excitement of Friday night lights is amazing. I am 6’0 , 160 , 40 time-4.58. These are my max lifts right now.... Bench- 170 Squat-300 Clean-185 My season stats for my junior year... Receptions- 80 Yards-1,038 Touchdowns-11” NFN: Perfect, thank you. Now tell us a little bit about your 2018 sophomore season. After, share with us how expectations were going into ‘19? What did you do in the offseason to help the Spuds and what do you love about the program? Walthall: “Our 2018 season was not how we hoped. We went 2-8 and had a tough year and lost some close games. Our season personally in 2018 was not how I expected it to go. My expectations going into 2019 was high. Something that we were going to build. Then in 2019. The season was the passing game. We threw the ball a lot. The fans loved it. I knew going into the 2019 season we would throw the ball then ever because of the talent we had at QB and WR. I thought the off season personally was great, it had to be. I knew I was going to be a big part of the teams success and in order for that to happen I needed to have a great off season and that’s what I did. Weights, route running, and speed were a big part of my off-season. I worked on and it help a lot. I have always loved the Moorhead football program. The way they do things and how successful they have been in the past is very cool and to be apart of it is very special.” NFN: Awesome. What are some things you do well as a WR and why do you think you deserve to be ranked in Northstar’s upcoming c/o ‘21 rankings? Walthall: “Some things I do well as a WR is create space and find open field. My speed is also a big part of it, it can really make the defense struggle not knowing if I’m going to go deep or break and come back to the ball which helps a lot. I believe I’m a top recruit in 2021 because of my speed, route running and my nature ability to catch the ball. I believe I can beat anyone in man to man coverage off the line as well.” NFN: Agreed. Now tell us a little bit about Moorhead’s season in 2019! Walthall: “My first 8 games of the regular season were a lot of fun and we had high hopes going into the season which made it more exciting. [caption id="attachment_17431" align="alignright" width="169"] Walthall.[/caption] Are regular season games concluded with Brainerd, Delano, Sauk Rapids, Alexandria, Rogers, St. Cloud Tech, and Bemidji. Bemidji games were both huge for us and the team. Two great teams in section playoffs and we had to beat both on the road. I played well in both those games scoring two touchdowns with 9 catches and 178 yards against Alexandria. Bemidji I also had a touchdown with 10 catches and 110 yards. I would say they were two of my better games on the year and they came at a great time in the section playoffs.” NFN: Clutch, I tell ya. So where are you at with your recruitment? Have you thought about any teams you’re interested in? Walthall: “I haven’t thought much about my future in football yet, or teams I’m interested in. I have not planned any visits yet also. I certainly do consider playing d2 and d3 football and I have been contacted by a couple coaches and they have reached out to me recently. Last summer I didn’t go to any camps regarding football, I do plan on going to many this upcoming summer though for sure. I’m looking for just an all around great football program that can help me become the best football player I can be, and with a great coaching staff that has the ability to do that for me. I know the recruiting process will get heavy more and more as the summer gets closer and I’m looking forward to it.” This won’t be the last you hear about Walthall and the Moorhead Spuds, and stay tuned for NFN’s upcoming 2021 rankings!