Projecting the 2009 NU Walk-On Class
7 comments so far
February 11, 2009 by
The tradition of walk-on players at NU is valued and almost revered by Husker fans. While Bo Pelini and his staff did not have as many kids walk on this year as last year, it is still a vital aspect of NU's recruiting strategy. Rather than talk about the walk-on program in an abstract, cultural or nostolgic sense, I'd prefer to assess the group based on their potential impact as football players. I mean, isn't that the point? Here's how I project this year's class of walk-on players to possibly make a difference at NU.
On signing day, NU released the names of 11 preferred walk-on players. I'm pretty sure this is not a complete list and that NU could end up with as many as 15 or 16 by the time the season rolls around. Among that group there are some very nice prospects who are better candidates to see the field than some of their counterparts. But, even if these kids never crack the two-deep roster, they can add value to the football team on special teams or even serving on the scout team.
Some Things Can't Be Taught
Ty Kildow from Millard South tops the list of walk-on players for very good reason. You can't teach speed, and Kildow runs a legit 4.37 40-yard dash. Had he not blown out his knee last summer, he would certainly have a Division 1 offer to his credit. Skeptics will point out that he is only 5'7'' tall. Yeah, well, Cory Ross is 5'6''.
You also can't teach size. The NU staff is high on Battle Creek's Robert Barry for good reason. The kid is 6'8'' tall and reports a 31'' vertical jump. Sure he's a project because he's converting from quarterback to tight end. But, NU has ample stock at that spot, and Barry will be given time to develop. That's a steal.
The offensive linemen out of Wahoo Neuman - Brandon Chapek - is 6'5'' and 320 pounds. He's a project. But that's a good (big) project to have. NU needed plenty of offensive lineman in this class. Chapek and Dwight Jones out of Gretna augment the four scholarship guys nicely.
Some Things Can
There are other aspects of football that are absolutely skill sets that can and should be taught. P.J. Mangieri is a good example. As I chronicled before, having a vital skill or craft can help a team and land a young man a roster spot. Way to snap, kid.
I also lump Ron Kellogg Jr. in to this category because he has the ability to develop in to a nice quarterback. He was the MVP of the NU quarterback camp, and his dad was a darn good athlete. Given the right opportunity, he may develop in to a nice player. You never know when your 3rd string former walk-on quarterback will have to start a game on the road against a ranked opponent (See Turman, Matt).
From Prospects to Players
More than anything, when I review the list of walk-on players for 2009, I see kids NU can work with. There are several obvious comparisons between these prospects and current Huskers.
Jake and Spencer Long out of Elkhorn are tight end and defensive end prospects, respectively, both going 6'4'' and 230+ pounds. I offer Dreu Young (walk-on from Cozad) as a tight end and Clayton Sievers (also from Elkhorn) as a defensive end who contributed significantly this year. If the Long brothers develop along those lines, NU fans could be very pleased.
Maybe Nick Failla from Millard North or Tyson Clark from Lincoln East is the next Todd Peterson. He turned out just fine, right? And Devin Paulson from Lincoln Christian (6'2'', 210) doesn't have to look too far to see walk-ons who contributed at linebacker for NU this year, does he?
Value Added
In the world of recruiting, scholarships are the ultimate currency. To waste them is as foolish as throwing money away. That's why you heard Bo Pelini say that NU could have taken another couple of guys, but they weren't going to offer just to offer. Waste not, want not - especially when you can find some quality players for "free". If even 3 of these kids develop in to scholarship-worthy players, that augments the NU class for 2009. (Though, I doubt very much that Rivals would every re-visit the ranking to include them...heh).
And, on the upside, walk-ons can add serious value to a roster. That's why my BRN colleague Steve Hanway once refered to walk-on center Mike Caputo as "Found Money". For every Caputo or Peterson or Alex Henery that cracks the 2-deep on the NU roster, the Huskers are getting just a little bit ahead of where they were before.
In the modern recruiting arms race, there is a chance NU may never be one of the major powerhouses. Well, maybe, we'll see. But, even if they do, the walk-on program gives them a very real advantage over many other programs that don't emphasize it. It produces players. The 2009 walk-on class should likely continue that tradition.
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nu-isu-fan Feb 11 09
The phrase I love to hear sportscasters say:
"former walk-on"
It makes my Saturday. Go for it boys! Prove the world wrong and show 'em you can do it.
Ty Feb 11 09
Nice summary again. Appreciated the fresh, daily content here.
Yes, Bo and staff have acknowleged and restored the value to the walk-on program. Quality walk-ons push the schollies and seem to have legitimate chances to earn playing time.
bnahusker Feb 11 09
Darren,
Great info, as ALWAYS!
You typed "Rather than talk about the walk-on program in an abstract, cultural or nostalgic sense...."
I know that you aren't discounting the value of the abstract and cultural (I'll omit the nostalgic). It is my opinion that they are more important on the practice field than on game day. Their value is immeasurable.
Keeping the dream alive!
GBR!
Bob
cvldfg Feb 11 09
One aspect that, I think, goes unnoticed about having all of these NEBRASKA
cvldfg Feb 11 09
Sorry, enter button was hit before I finished.
One aspect that, I think, goes unnoticed about having all of these NEBRASKA kids on the roster, especially as walk-ons, is the realism that these kids bring to the program.
When I moved from So. Cal to go to UNO and didn't know a soul, the warmth and kindness my friends showed me when I wasn't able to get home for the holidays was incredible. I got to go to Norfolk and Valentine to celebrate Thanksgiving. It brought a sense of warmth and family that I didn't get to feel growing up in California, where family values and tradition aren't as high priority.
Trust me, when kids come from big cities or more heavily populated areas and they see the down home feel in the state, IT MATTERS! Especially, when they see how much this program matters to them and the state. A kid that is willing to do ANYTHING to play at NEBRASKA for free, sends a message bigger than any coach can tell a recruit.
omarhuskerfan Feb 11 09
I'm not as up to date with this class as I have been in the past. Are there any out of state walk-ons? or even some 'Grey shirts' in this class. Stu Bradley was a walk on for a little bit. I'm sure he didn't just think to himself I'm going to go to Nebraska and walk on. He was actively recruited to walk-on from out of state. It should be remembered that his most impressive film before coming here was in Rugby.
Stu Bradley-found money.
Greg Morrow Feb 12 09
"In the modern recruiting arms race, there is a chance NU may never be one of the major powerhouses."
Exactly.
But, they're still just as interesting to me, as they were in '75, the first season I followed them, game to game.
It's such a unique advantage. Probably every team has a walkon. Possibly, every team has inspiring anecdotes of the lil train that did.
Irrepressible, the willing blocking dummy, the virtual picture of intangibles to a program. They give so much more than they take, for as long as they stick it out.
Btw, I attended some spring practices in '95, and I listened to Ryan Held rebuff suggestions that he shouldn't be a quarterback. "I know I can do it" or, words that effect, is what he said to what appeared to be his parents.
That was just fantastic!
THAT'S what walkons bring to Nebraska.