Walk-on Resurgence Passes Smell Test
4 comments so far
February 5, 2008 by
Count me among those rolling their eyes when a lot of the talk about the walk-on program’s resurgence under Bo Pelini began. It seemed that there was so much excitement about Tom Osborne becoming athletic director and Pelini’s hire that fans were going to take every commit within the Husker state and every kid choosing to walk-on as a sign that we were going to see a reboot of the success enjoyed in the 1990’s.
But two facts became public that changed my perception. First was Brian Thorson’s choice to walk-on at Nebraska. To me this was an important milestone. Thorson is more highly regarded than a recruit like Cory Timm from the class of 2002 was. While the Huskers seemingly wasted a scholarship on Timm that year, they didn’t have to burn one to get Thorson. That’s an upgrade and a pretty undeniable one. We’ll still need a year or two to see how well the Huskers recruit for scholarships, but in terms of walk-ons they just brought in one of the better freshman offensive linemen to walk-on in years.
The second tidbit is the sheer number of walk-ons on board so far. Last season the Huskers announced 12 walk-ons with their recruiting class. This season, they anticipate bringing in 23 or more. That doesn’t tell us if they’re better, but it does tell us that there will be more. And that’s not spin or hype – it’s fact.
Whether or not more or better walk-ons will have a noticeable impact on the overall team remains to be seen. But when people say things are changing with the walk-on program, it’s not just a feeling, it’s not Osborne euphoria, it’s the honest truth.
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Darren Feb 05 08
I agree with you, Steve. Not only is there obviously a quantitative improvement (23>12), but I venture to guess there is quality there, too. Jim Ebke, who I posted about earlier, was a great HS player in this state. And the Donahue kid from Fremont (walking on and giving up a scholarship at Ohio) has 10.3 speed in the 100. You can't fake that.
Dwayne Feb 05 08
Steve,
Good points. The other thing the walk-on program does which someone else mentioned is the fact that it again binds these small communities to the program and therefore gives younger kids purpose to follow the program. We may not have seen Robinson commit to ND if the previous staff had more focus on the state. I like the concept of securing prospects from the state first, focus then on the 500 mile radius, and then work on national prospects. I would take a guy like Darren mentions above that has followed the program throughout his youth, has some ability, and has a desire to work and earn a position based on his play on the field. Combine that with a coach that can make a 4 out of a 3 and there-in lies a pretty productive recipe for some success.
OU7times Feb 05 08
Greg Sharpe is now the voice of the Huskers. He's a good one.
Greg Morrow Feb 05 08
"Free" players are free players (while supplies last).
The attrition will be high for walkons, always has. Only a relative few will stick it out to their junior and senior years. By that time, there's been a good possibility of cracking the three deep, just like always. I just counted 5 walkon guys who will be on the roster in the fall, who were on the 3 deep this year. Including Lawson, who could be the starter at fullback. Teafatiller might even be the starting tightend, who knows. That doesn't include Thomas Grove, last August's walkon sensation. The others will be seniors, ready to help out.
Botton line, recruited guys will have to beat these guys out, on the way to a starter spot.
A couple of walkons won't be beaten out that easily.
Something I'm curious about, is how will practice be configured. Maybe, that's where Tom can lend some expertise, setting up the practice stations efficiently, when there won't be more coaches to coach them. He was famous for having multiple strings taking snaps, which made guys like the "Turmanator" effective when Tommie and Brooke were hurt in '94.
I'd think that would be the main issue for Pelini, managing the herd. Does the roster go back up to 175, pre Callahan?
Gotta admire the sacrifice a couple have made, giving up scholarship, or partials, to attempt their life long dream!