BTX revisted: Catching up with Muhammad Ali's grandson and Bishop Gorman running back Biaggio Walsh

LAS VEGAS — Crossing the goal line for the first time on the Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) varsity football team was a thrill for sophomore running back Biaggio Ali Walsh.

The fact that it was Gorman's first touchdown of the season in last week's 44-0 win over Brophy Prep at the Sollenberger Classic made it even more gratifying.

But the fleet and shifty 5-foot-11, 185-pound running back said he'll never forget the sound of 6,000 fans, largely clad in bright orange and blue.

"It felt awesome," he said. "You could just hear and feel the enthusiasm from the fans. It was so loud. That's a lot different than at freshman games."

We first met Walsh on the freshman team, when we discovered he's the grandson of Muhammad Ali. It prompted our Beyond the X piece on the then bright-eyed, friendly freshman.

See Beyond the X story on Biaggio Ali Walsh

His freshman coach Rob Burgman said then that Walsh not only had "great" celebrity blood, but that he was also one of the most talented freshmen he had coached in 34 seasons. Varsity coach Tony Sanchez backed that up.

After Walsh added 20 pounds of muscle during the offseason, Sanchez has been even more impressed, calling him up to varsity. He's part of Gorman's potent three-headed running trio along with Russell Booze (5-10, 180) and 5-9, 190-pound junior Jonathan Shumaker.

The trio all have different traits and styles. Booze, a senior, is the most polished in all phases. Shumaker, a junior, is the most powerful and quick off the line. Walsh, well, Sanchez simply put it this way: "By the time he leaves here, he has the potential to be a top five back in the country."

Said Walsh: "I like (being one of three backs). We're all fresh and we all have different ways of running."

On Friday, Walsh and the Gaels, ranked ninth in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 and No. 1 by USA Today, take on nationally ranked Servite (Anaheim, Calif.) at Cerritos College. Upwards of 25,000 fans are expected.

We caught up with Walsh this week as Gorman makes a national title run. We talked about getting called up to varsity, his growing personal fame and his relationship with Cordell Broadus, son of his famous father, Snoop Dogg.

Q&A with Biaggio Ali Walsh

Mitch Stephens: "How is the varsity game different than freshman ball?"

Biaggio Ali Walsh: "It's a whole different game. The tempo is so much faster. We're at the big facility with the JV and varsity team together. It's awesome."

MS: "How did you find out you were going to play varsity and not JV?"

BW: "We had a big team meeting (in the spring) at a lecture hall. There was a chart saying what team you were on. It said I was on the varsity."

MS: "What was your reaction?"

BW: "I was super excited. It was like, ‘now it's official.' I don't have to worry anymore."

MS: "But on varsity, you're not the go-to back like freshman. You're sharing the load. How's that been for you?"

BW: "I like it. We're all fresh and we all have different ways of running."

MS: "Tell me about Booze."

BW: "He really does a great job of following his block. Nobody does that better. He gives me great advice. Both of those guys do. I really appreciate that."

MS: "And what about Shumaker?"

BW: "He's a real nice guy. I like how he runs with a lot of power. He likes to lower his shoulder and really get after it."

MS: "Tell me about Cordell and your relationship with him."

BW: "I first had a conversation with him a couple years ago at my grandfather's birthday party his dad was performing at."

MS: "Yeah, about that. You both have a lot in common, things none of us can really relate to – having mega famous family in your blood. Have you guys talked about that and bonded?"

BW: "I know the extra attention doesn't bother me yet, but it hasn't probably hit as hard as Cordell. We just talk about not letting any of it distracting us."

MS: "How do you think Cordell handles it?"

BW: "What I really like about Cordell is he has so much going for him being a great football player and being the son of Snoop Dogg, but yet he's just this super nice and humble kid. He could be arrogant and get away with it, but he chooses not to. That makes him so much cooler. … He's just told me to focus on being the best teammate and running back I can be, and he'll do the same and be the best receiver he can be."

MS: "It helps there's been a lot of Gorman celebrity kids in past? Your teammates handle it OK?"

BW: "We're a really tight team. We're very comfortable with one another. It's great."

MS: "Have you seen your grandfather lately?"

BW: "My brother's birthday was last night and we all went to see him in Scottsdale (Ariz.). We went out to one of his favorite restaurants. It was fun."

MS: "How do people react? The other people at the restaurant?"

BW: "When we first walked in, people stare, then whisper, then everyone stood up and clapped. It was kind of cool."

MS: "How cool is it to be an important player on one of, if not the best, high school football teams in America?"

BW: "It's great. It's really a great program. Being ranked No. 1 isn't as much a burden as it just makes us want to prove we are No. 1. What really matters is we just keep playing are best and winning. If we do that for 16 straight weeks, maybe we'll end up at No. 1."