WALTER REYES | A profile Syracuse ace has shot at elite honors, NFL

The junior tailback from Struthers High scored a school-record 17 TDs last year.
By GARY HOUSTEAU
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
In just one season as the starting tailback at Syracuse University, former Struthers High standout Walter Reyes has already done something that none of the other running backs from that school, guys named Jim Brown, Ernie Davis and Floyd Little, ever have done.
As a sophomore starter in all 12 games last year, Reyes set the school record for the most rushing touchdowns in one season with 17.
He was also the first player in Syracuse history to have consecutive games with at least three rushing touchdowns, and joined Little as the only Orangeman to have three games with at least three rushing touchdowns in each one in the same season. And this was all done on a team with a 4-8 record.
Reyes was home recently, taking a break from his summer workouts at Syracuse. He reports to fall camp on Aug. 10 for his junior season, and perhaps final year as an Orangeman. He is determined to continue his assault the record book.
"I've been working out up there all summer, just getting ready for the season," Reyes said. "I plan on having a really big year this year."
Familiar speed
Gaining 1,135 yards last season, which was the fourth-best single-season total at Syracuse and second-best for a sophomore, Reyes, who averaged 6.2 yards per carry and logged six games with more than 100 yards, displayed much of that familiar speed that he first showcased while earning All-Metro Athletic Conference honors for Struthers.
Yet, he insists that his game is more than just pure speed.
"The speed is a given," said Reyes (5-foot-10, 215 pounds), who has been clocked at 4.22 seconds in the 40-yard dash on the carpet in the Carrier Dome.
"But I'm a power back too. I can run through or around you. In college, you learn quickly that you can't outrun everybody, and you have to be able to run for 4 and 5 yards in the trenches. Since high school, I've developed that mentality that it's me and you, one-on-one, and I'm going to win."
Added incentive
With even greater rushing totals this coming season, Reyes, already a preseason All-American by some magazines, thinks that he could very well be considered as a legitimate candidate for both the Heisman and the Doak Walker awards. Any type of season close to that would certainly give him a very good chance to play in the National Football League, and that's all of the motivation that he really needs.
"Definitely, knowing perhaps that I can be playing on Sundays and be financially set for life," Reyes said. "After the season, if I have the kind of year that I want to have, I'll strongly consider it. I'm going to graduate this year with a degree in speech communications, and I want to become a sports broadcaster down the road when my playing career is all said and done."
Good ability
Like his second cousin at Ohio State, Maurice Clarett, Reyes, with a 460-pound bench press and an a 34-inch vertical jump, has been blessed with an innate ability to carry the football, and he has worked extremely hard to develop that special ability.
"I've really been blessed," Reyes said. "I told my mom when I was younger that when I become a success in life that she wouldn't have to work another day, and I'm really close to getting there. I thank God every day, for watching over me in letting me get this far."
With Reyes poised to have his biggest season yet on the gridiron, he thinks the Orangemen are certain to contend for the Big East title.
"I can see an attitude change going on," Reyes said. "The guys are hungrier than a year ago. We've worked hard over the summer and I think we're going to surprise a lot of people this year."