Who We Are

My name is Mark Drake II, but most people know me as MJ. I am a junior at Howard University—HU, you know!—where I major in Communication with a concentration in Sports Broadcasting and minor in Sports Administration. As a student-athlete with firsthand experience navigating college athletics, and as a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and Hilltop Newspaper, I know the journey goes beyond what fans see on game day.

My name is Albert Bailey, III. I am also a junior at Howard University—HU, you know!—where I major in Communication with a concentration in Broadcast Journalism. As a student-athlete and walk-on at Howard, I know firsthand how to balance school, athletics, and fraternity life. Yeah, did I forget to mention? I am a member of Phi Beta Sigma, a School of Communications UGSA representative, and a Howard Chapel Assistant.

The Walk On Podcast was created to give college athletes a voice, share their stories, and bring the world inside the real experiences of collegiate athletics. From the excitement of competition to the challenges of balancing academics, athletics, personal life, and future aspirations, every athlete has a story worth hearing. Our goal is to create a platform where athletes can share those stories authentically, honestly, and unapologetically—from the athlete's perspective.

The name The Walk On has a special meaning to me because it reflects my own journey as a walk-on football player at Howard University. It represents the determination, sacrifice, resilience, and belief it takes to pursue an opportunity, even when the path is not guaranteed. As the podcast grows, I will share more about my personal journey and the lessons I have learned along the way. However, this platform is about much more than my story. It is about creating space for student-athletes from colleges and universities across the nation to share their unique experiences, challenges, triumphs, and perspectives.

And, of course, every great idea has an origin story! The name The Walk On was born in the barbershop because we all know great conversations—and sometimes great ideas—happen in the barbershop. Shoutout to Mr. Heavy for being part of the vision!

At its core, The Walk On is about the people behind the jerseys, the stories beyond the statistics, and the journeys that shape the athletes we watch and admire. We want to challenge assumptions, highlight voices that are not always heard, and help fans, families, and future athletes better understand the realities of college sports.

Whether you are a current student-athlete, a former athlete, a passionate fan, or someone curious about what it takes to compete at the collegiate level, you have a place here.

This is more than a podcast. It is a platform for authentic conversations, shared experiences, and untold stories.

Welcome to The Walk On—where every athlete has a story, and every story deserves to be heard.