New Vol commit Sidney Walton feeling ‘love’ after going official with Tennessee pledge
Originally from Detroit, Michigan, defensive back Sidney Walton moved to Alabama just a few years ago. The move south will remain for college as he chose Tennessee on Thursday.
“Tennessee is the right fit for me mainly because of the love that they show,” Walton said, “I love the environment of their game days. I love how they treat their players and I love how they treat the people in the stands.”
Walton has been up to Tennessee several times and every time he leaves, he looks forward to the next visit.
“I just love being up here,” Walton said. “It feels like home being up here. Whenever I got home, I used to think about this place.”
Walton told Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel that he intended to commit publicly when he was in town two weeks ago and his relationship with Heupel continues to blossom.
“I love how coach Heupel treats his players,” Walton said. “I love how he treats the recruits. I notice how he tries to involve everybody in more than just a football standpoint and I appreciate that.”
Tennessee senior defensive analyst Levorn Harbin (Coach Chop) played a big role in selling Tennessee to Walton.
“It was mainly how he seemed genuine and how he treated me and how he treated my family,” Walton said. “He constantly reached out and he didn’t just talk to me. He would talk to my parents and showed how he genuinely cared about me.”
Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks and defensive backs coach Willie Martinez also bonded well with Walton, which added to the appeal of orange.
“The main thing I love about them two is their energy,” Walton said. “They always have energy in practice and meetings they have energy. I just love that because in defense you need energy to win.”
And how they treated their players left an incredible impression on Walton.
“I think that’s a big part,” Walton said. “How that you treat your players and how you carry yourself on the field is a big part in how your program is going to end up being. That’s what I like.”
So what is Tennessee getting in the long safety prospect? 
“I would say mainly I’m a hard worker,” Walton said. “I base everything off that. I always say hard work beats talent if talent doesn’t work hard. Hard is what I’m built on and what my family is built on. That’s what I’m going to stand on always.”
