Nolensville (TN) 2023 QB Coby Walton details Knights’ success

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a thrilling 27-21 overtime win over the formerly undefeated Page Patriots (7-1), the Nolensville Knights (8-0) are now the only undefeated team in Williamson County, sitting comfortably at no. 20 in the state of Tennessee's high school football rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Knights kicked things off on Aug. 19, defeating Battle Ground Academy 38-14 in their season opener. In a matchup against Giles County, the Knights were victorious once again, recording a 21-14 final score. Against Lincoln County in their third contest, Nolensville recorded another 38-14 win. The Knights dominated Liberty Creek 53-7 in the next game followed by a 44-7 thrashing of Columbia Central, a 49-27 blowout win over Rockvale and a 42-0 shutout of Spring Hill. In their most recent contest against Page, who appeared in last year's state championship game, the Knights upset the Patriots 27-21 in overtime.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nolensville (TN) 2023 quarterback and Georgia Southern commit [player_tooltip player_id='295457' first='Coby' last='Walton'] spoke with Prep Redzone Tennessee about the Knights' success on the gridiron this season, detailing how the team has managed to remain undefeated on the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>"It feels great to see how far we came from last year and the strides we are making is awesome. Just the bond that I have with my teammates and the leadership we have on the team. Everyone is just doing their part, nobody is trying to be the hero out there."</p><cite>- [player_tooltip player_id='295457' first='Coby' last='Walton']</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-foot-2, 205-pound quarterback out of Nolensville, Tennessee said that the Knights' mindset heading into every matchup this season has made a huge difference as there's a ton of experienced players on the Knights' roster and everybody knows what they need to do to win games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>"The mindset has played a big role, just taking it one game at a time. I feel like what's been a huge difference maker is that we all have experience, we all know what it takes to win games and be consistent on offense."</p><cite>- [player_tooltip player_id='295457' first='Coby' last='Walton']</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Making a big difference on the offensive end this season is uncommitted wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='102226' first='Chance' last='Fitzgerald'], who is no stranger to the recruitment process as the up-and-coming 2023 prospect has collected a mountain of offers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fitzgerald has collected offers from Austin Peay, Arkansas State, Ball State, Buffalo, Central Michigan, Colorado State, Eastern Kentucky, Eastern Michigan, Georgia Southern, Illinois State, Jacksonville State, Kentucky, Liberty, Louisville, Marshall, Minnesota, Michigan State, Ohio, Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech, Troy, UNC-Charlotte, UT-Martin, UNLV, Toledo, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Houston.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>"To have a guy like that on your team is awesome. Chance is a really good football player and I'm so happy he started to get seen. It's awesome having guys going to play at the next level."</p><cite>- [player_tooltip player_id='295457' first='Coby' last='Walton']</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other side of the ball, defensive end and outside linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='150365' first='Taylor' last='Wein'] has been a crucial component of Nolensville's defense and has contributed to the team's overall momentum. Walton said that Wein is a talented player that schools should be looking at more closely.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>"Taylor is a beast, he's another guy that schools need to check out. He just really dominates and is a great leader on the defensive side. The defense has been great for momentum and has stepped up a lot since last year. There have been times where they kept us out of a dog fight. People need to stop sleeping on our defense."</p><cite>- [player_tooltip player_id='295457' first='Coby' last='Walton']</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wein has already attracted the attention of several schools as he holds opportunities from Austin Peay, Eastern Kentucky, Georgia Southern, Lindenwood, North Alabama, UT-Martin, UNC-Charlotte, Illinois State, Tennessee Tech and Troy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walton, who recently committed to Georgia Southern on Sept. 28, said that his recruitment process began later than expected as he was interested in playing for an FBS team. When Georgia Southern reached out to his quarterback coach and informed him they loved Walton's film, he was intrigued by the opportunity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>"My recruitment process kinda came late. I had a couple FCS offers but I knew I wanted to play FBS football somewhere. I talked to a lot of FBS schools and they showed interest but none of them offered me. Georgia Southern reached out to my QB coach and they really liked my film.</p><cite>- [player_tooltip player_id='295457' first='Coby' last='Walton']</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walton said that Georgia Southern head coach <strong>Clay Helton</strong> called him during school and it was an amazing feeling because of all his success at USC. In the same week as their conversation, Walton visited with Georgia Southern and said it was an opportunity he couldn't pass up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>"I talked to Coach Helton on the phone during school, which was crazy knowing all of his success at USC. He told me how much he liked my film and things he sees in me that he wants to develop. I couldn't pass up on that opportunity."</p><cite>- [player_tooltip player_id='295457' first='Coby' last='Walton']</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walton said that what makes him such a dangerous quarterback and a weapon to Georgia Southern's offense is his pocket awareness and ability to extend plays. He said that being a leader and keeping your head up regardless of the situation is what's led to Nolensville's success this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>"Just knowing coverages but also my pocket awareness and ability to extend plays. When they watch my film, coaches have been impressed with how I extend plays. And just being a leader, keeping your head up when you're up or down. My coaches tell me how they love that. I'm a level-headed guy and I don't change when we're up or down, I stay the same guy."</p><cite>- [player_tooltip player_id='295457' first='Coby' last='Walton']</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In addition to Georgia Southern, Walton landed offers from Austin Peay, Eastern Kentucky, Lindenwood, North Alabama and UT-Martin.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nolensville is set to resume their season in a matchup against the Franklin Rebels on Friday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->