Introducing our WXXV Student Athlete of the Week, D’Iberville’s Jordan Walley!

There are athletes who can play multiple positions and then there’s this guy. The D’Iberville senior has the arm to be a quarterback, the speed to be a runner and the instinct to make plays in the secondary, but last Friday night he took “athlete” to a whole new level. Introducing our WXXV Student Athlete of the Week, Jordan Walley!

When looking at a football roster, “ATH” stands for athlete — a label used for a versatile player who can play multiple positions. If you were to look up an example of a true athlete, odds are a photo of Walley would be right next to it. Not only is he a dual-threat quarterback with a massive arm and quick feet, he’s also a talented defensive back with a true football mind and the ability to analyze the entire field. Walley says being a two-way player has taught him a lot, and it wouldn’t be possible without his coaching staff.

“It’s taught me hard work, determination and leadership. When we’re conditioning, I work really hard and my coaches get me right. When I’m in the film room, I split it up different ways. The coaches help me on both sides and they may stay after a little bit just to help, so the coaching staff really helps,” said Walley.

Walley playing both sides of the ball for the Warriors is nothing new, but what he did last Friday night was something rarely seen. Not only did he lead D’Iberville to a 35-14 victory over Gautier, he did it by scoring five touchdowns in three different ways.

Walley threw three touchdown passes while racking up 126 passing yards, rushed for a touchdown and 102 yards on the ground, then flipped to the other side of the ball as a defensive back, where he picked off a pass and took it 46 yards to the house for a pick-six.

“There’s a first time for everything, I guess! It was really my teammates. They encouraged me and we worked hard for that win and prepared for it all week, so it was really just my teammates and coaches. It was truly a blessing, and a lot of people helped me get to that point, like my father, my mom and my brothers, so it was really a blessing,” said Walley.

And with a performance like that, it’s obvious Walley grew up on the gridiron. He’s the third of three talented Walley brothers — Jaden, who played wide receiver at Mississippi State, and Justin, who played cornerback at Minnesota and now plays for the Indianapolis Colts. Walley has looked up to his brothers from the beginning and has modeled his game after both of them.

“I started football at a young age. My brothers have really inspired me to be a better player and person. I’ve always looked up to them and still look up to them to this day, even my brother that doesn’t play football anymore. He was a big role model in my career because he played quarterback back then, and then my other brother plays defensive back, so it helped me a lot,” said Walley.

And although he’s widely known as a Walley brother, he’s also known as “Champ.” Not only is he making a name for himself in the black and gold, he wants “Champ” to be more than just a nickname.

“I want to leave it with a banner that says State Championship. That’s how I want to leave D’Iberville. I want it to encourage the guys to make that a top priority every year — to win a state championship,” said Walley.

And the next step toward that banner will take place this Friday night, as D’Iberville hosts Seminary for its homecoming game.