Jesuit Dallas Athletics

Competing during the period when Jesuit Dallas athletics was left without a league to compete in, John Wall authored an emphatic testimonial to the question of whether the Rangers could matchup with the large public schools in the University Interscholastic League (UIL). Against a makeshift schedule that included out-of-state opponents and some of the top teams at various levels in the UIL, Wall pieced together a dominating high school career, and according to former head coach Bob Wunderlick was, “the best RB I ever coached, a leader by example and true team player.”

Wall racked up 3,168 rushing yards on 325 career carries, averaging a staggering 9.75 yards per tote. He scored 37 touchdowns, and was twice named all-state as well as the team’s offensive MVP. After scripting an incredible stat line during his junior season (1,523 yards and 17 TD), Wall drew the attention of national scouts at the start of his senior campaign. In the Rangers’ 2002 season-opening win against Mesquite Horn, Jesuit’s team captain rushed 18 times for 252 yards and three touchdowns. The following week against highly state-ranked Coppell, Wall shredded the opposition for 285 yards and a score on 22 carries. A high ankle sprain forced him to miss the next three games, but Wall still amassed 1,315 yards and 13 TD, and was selected First Team All-Area by the Dallas Morning News.  An honor roll student and three-sport letterman, he was named North Dallas People Player of the Year and was cited as one of the area’s most coveted recruits by Dallas Morning News.

Wall accepted a scholarship to Rice University, but suffered a knee injury after a promising redshirt season. Returning to the field in 2005, Wall became the Owls’ starting fullback, where he rushed for 538 yards and a team-best seven touchdowns. As a senior, he saw action on offense and special teams in all 13 games, and made sure to check one more box in his triumphant legacy: scoring a touchdown on his first career catch in Rice’s victory at Army.