Biaggio Ali-Walsh: Muhammad Ali’s Grandson Making A Name As One Of Nation’s Best High School Football Players


Biaggio Ali-Walsh has a big legacy to live up to, but the grandson of boxer Muhammad Ali is doing his best to make his own name in a very different venue that his famous granddad.

The 16-year-old high school student from Nevada has developed into one of the nation’s best running backs, already getting scholarship offers from UNLV and Louisville.

Playing for powerhouse Bishop Gorman, Ali-Walsh had 600 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore this season, and here’s the most amazing part — he did it on just 49 carries. That’s an incredibly 12 yards a carry, a first down every time he touches the ball.

While football may be quite a bit different than boxing, Biaggio Ali-Walsh said he models his game a bit after his grandfather, whose speed was legendary. Ali-Walsh says he can run a 4.38-second 40-yard dash, which if true would have made him the fastest running back at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine. While there may be some discrepancies between a high school’s recording of a 40-yard dash and the professional scouts of the NFL, that’s still wildly impressive.

Ali-Walsh has been getting some big praise from his coaches.

“At running back when you have top-end speed it separates you to the elite category in the country. That’s what Biaggio has,” said Sean Manuel, the school’s offensive line and strength and conditioning. “He has one play breakaway speed, he has game-changing speed … Biaggio is one of the fastest kids in the country. He has one of the fastest 40-yard dashes in the United States of America. That’s how bad granddaddy was, went through a generation and stayed right onto the next set of boys that came through.”

Biaggio Ali-Walsh is not the only high schooler with a famous family member getting attention for his athletic prowess. In Los Angeles, freshman Shareef O’Neal has started to get press for his dominant play and comparisons to his dad, NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal.

USA Today Sports noted,

“Now we’re starting to see some of the younger O’Neal’s broader skill set. As he showcased at the 2015 Big Cup tournament in Houston, Shareef O’Neal already has far more shooting touch and range than his father ever did. And while he may not be able to bowl opponents over in the paint like his Dad, he has better finesse inside.”

Biaggio Ali-Walsh has some more time before he gains a national audience. The grandson of Muhammad Ali still has two more years of high school to go, and likely won’t be making a college decision for at least another year.

[Image via MaxPreps]

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