New Brookwood slot receivers coach Rodger Walker helps lead last week’s youth football camp.

THOMASVILLE — Rodger Walker knows what greatness at Brookwood feels like.

The Warriors’ newly hired slot receivers coach was a part of the school’s 2007 undefeated state championship run, and will be looking to share some of his knowledge to the team he once played for.

Although football became his calling, it was not Walker’s first sport. Before joining the team, he was a basketball player and wanted to stay on the court until he was eventually persuaded to put on some pads. Shane Boggs, Brookwood’s current head coach, was also at the helm for the championship team a decade ago.

“He was always an amazing athlete,” Boggs said. “He literally thought he was a Division I basketball player. His junior year, our point guard was also our quarterback. He recruited him off the basketball team to play football as well.”

“About 90 percent of the basketball team played football,” Walker said. “They were telling me how good the team was. I ended up coming out and the camaraderie of the guys allowed me to stay. I wasn’t too bad at it so I stuck with it.”

That decision paid off in a big way for Walker, as he eventually fell in love with football as a wide receiver. His performance helped the Warriors to its state title with a 41-0 win over Windsor Academy.

“It was a great feeling,” Walker said. “The team was already good before me being there but it was a good experience. It was great to be around guys that knew the game.”

After graduating, he attended Appalachian State, a program that achieved considerable success with three straight Division I-AA national championships at the time. The Mountaineers were also coming off a stunning 34-32 upset win over No. 5 Michigan.

Then-head coach Jerry Moore told Walker he could be a kick returner from day one. He joined the Mountaineers and eventually played defensive back as well. After graduation, Boggs helped him get a job in coaching elsewhere, but he always had an inkling to return to where it all started. He has, and to make matters even better, it’ll be under his old coach.

“Me and coach Boggs have kept in contact ever since I stepped on campus as a junior,” Walker said. “It’s great to work with him. We’re eager to share ideas and help build this program back up.

“I’ve been trying to get back here for the last three or four years. It’s an honor for me to even be here to give back to the school that’s done so much for me.”