Talented two-sport athlete Travon Walker is in the midst of a strong junior basketball campaign. The big man has averaged 12.0 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game while pacing Upson-Lee (Thomaston, Ga.) to a perfect 17-0 record thus far.

As good as Walker is on the basketball court, though, his future is on the gridiron. And when he’s not on the hardwood, the four-star defensive end is probably hearing from one of the major college football programs recruiting him.

In fact, Clemson defensive line coach Todd Bates was recently in touch with Walker, one of Clemson’s priority targets in the Class of 2019.

“I just got off the phone with coach Bates,” Walker told The Clemson Insider on Thursday evening. “He was just telling me that I’m still high on the list.”

Walker (6-5, 255) named Clemson one of his top four schools in November, along with Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina.

Clemson has shown a lot of attention to Walker, who said he communicates with Bates daily. That is one of the reasons the Tigers have earned a spot atop his list.

“They just show a lot of love, to be honest,” Walker said. “They just show a lot of love, and I feel that they can teach me what I need to be taught if I attended college there and get me ready for the NFL.”

Walker visited each of his top four schools last season and has been in regular contact with the other three schools as well.

While those programs have the upper hand at this point in his recruiting process, Walker continues to be pursued by others.

“You’ve got Notre Dame and Auburn and Florida, too,” Walker said. “Those are really the three main schools that have been pushing outside of my top four.”

Michigan also reached out to Walker after he released his short list, and members of its coaching staff were expected to stop by his school Friday.

How much consideration will the schools outside his top four get?

”It depends on how things work out,” Walker said.

Walker is looking to render a decision before the end of his senior football season later this year. A few factors are important to him as he explores his college options.

“I would say coaching, players and education,” he said. “Mainly I just want to surround myself by good coaches.”

Walker said he may visit Alabama for its junior day this month but hasn’t determined any visits yet.

Rivals ranks Walker as the No. 4 strong-side defensive end and No. 39 overall prospect in the 2019 class.