American Football, Walker Lyons | Moved to Norway and put his professional career on hold – soon 77,500 screaming fans await

OSLO (Nettavisen): 77,500 screaming supporters and American university football at the very top level await 20-year-old Walker Lyons.

The American great talent, who dreams of playing in the NFL, will represent the University of Southern California (USC).

One of the USA’s biggest football teams.

He plans to replace Norway with the USA and California during 2024.

Put the professional career on hold

In 2023, the young footballer chose to exchange the USA for Norway to complete a for the church “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints”.

He chose to do this despite being voted the country’s second best player in his age group and position “tight end”.

The ranking was made by the website ESPN.

Walker is looking forward to returning to the American football field, but does not hide that he enjoys what he is doing in Norway.

– I have developed a great love for the people and culture here, says the American who has so far lived in Tromsø, Stavanger and Trondheim during his stay in Norway.

The American has ancestors from both Norway and Denmark and has learned fluent Norwegian when he meets Nettavisen in Oslo.

– My father knows Danish, so I’m looking forward to speaking a little Norwegian with him when I’m back in the USA, the talent tells Nettavisen.

When asked if it is common to go on a mission trip, Walker says that he knows of several people who are and have been, but that it is not as common for athletes at a high level.

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Tug of war for the player’s signature

Before Walker decided where the next stop in his career would end, he had 35 offers on the table, worth several million kroner. Schools such as the University of Alabama, Stanford University and the University of Oregon were among those interested.

In the end, the choice fell on USC.

Walker signed with the school while a senior at Folsom High School back in 2022.

– It was a very difficult choice to choose a school. Many people were interested in me and wanted to give me the chance to play for their university.

– In the end, I chose to sign for USC. I did this because the total package suited me best, he says, emphasizing the academics, the football programme, the coaches and the location.

Will be reunited with his brother

Walker wants to become the best in history at his position and a top player in the NFL.

If the dream is to be achieved, teammates who play well are needed.

That’s exactly what Walker hopes to get from someone he is very close to.

His little brother and best friend is an even bigger talent, according to Walker himself. The younger brother plays “quarterback” and guides players in Walker’s position with passes.

– Ryder is ranked as the number one quarterback in the entire United States.

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The little brother can almost freely choose which school he wants to represent. Big brother Walker has no doubts about where he hopes Ryder will end up.

– My family is one of the most important things in my life, so playing with him at USC would be a fantastic opportunity, he says and continues:

– Where Ryder plays will be up to him, but I hope he decides on USC so we can win some national championships together.

More than just football

Despite being a huge sporting talent, Walker does not want to be remembered only for his achievements on the field.

– I wanted to be remembered as someone who is kind to everyone. It is more important than any other award to me.

For prizes and awards it has been.

After the award from ESPN, he was selected as an “Adidas all-American”. A gathering where the country’s 100 best players come together.

There, Walker won the “Man of the year” award. An award given to someone who has excelled off the football field.

Outside the pitch, Walker has volunteered for the organization “Morningstar”. There he had the opportunity to travel to both Vietnam and Costa Rica to see American culture, as well as being able to work in orphanages, build football pitches and other community services.

– Football means a lot, but there is so much more to life, points out the humble 20-year-old.