Walk-Ons Welcome
4 comments so far
February 4, 2010 by
Nebraska didn't just sign 21 scholarship players yesterday. They added 16 more walk-on athletes. The walk-on class of 2010 includes some very intriguing prospects that bolster NU's total talent level. Based on recent history, some of them are sure to end up within Nebraska's two-deep roster at some point. And, the rejuvenated walk-on program continues to be on of Nebraska's true recruiting advantages.
The Class
The 16 Husker walk-on players are a pretty unique group. Collectively, they are primarily members of the Nebraska All-State team. Some, like Josh Bart, Derek Foster or Tyler Wullenwaber are great athletes that feasted in Nebraska's smaller divisions of high school football. There is a good out-of-state presence in the group too, including kicker and punter Jason Dann from Texas, wide receiver Keegan Hughes from Georgia, and Mark (nephew of Bo and Carl) Pelini from Ohio. Overall, it appears to be a good mix of big bodied kids and skill players. The group compliments the scholarship group well by bolstering NU's class at wide out and providing some specialty players like the kicker as well as a fullback from Norfolk, Tyson McGill.
Because of his track exploits and explosiveness, Dillon Schrodt from Lincoln North Star appears to be the player that most jumps off the page (pun intended) to most observers. Catching 21 passes for 250 yards doesn't exactly turn heads for coaches recruiting wide outs. But, nine of those went for touchdowns. He also rushed and returned kicks for scores. At 6'2'' and 175, he has the size to be a capable D-1 player. Most importantly, this kid has demonstrated serious explosiveness, a trait that cannot be taught. He's fast enough and he can really hop. His exploits on the track created offers to go just about anywhere he wanted for that sport. This is exactly the kind of prospect that is worth rolling the dice on as a walk on.
Found Money
If recent history is any indicator, there is one thing we know for almost for certain. Some of these kids will crack the Nebraska two-deep depth chart. Yes, many will contribute as practice players and meaningful special teams contributors. But, the list of recent walk-on roster regulars is too much to ignore. Take your pick. Stew Bradley. Todd Peterson. Alex Henery. Matt O'Hanlon.
The amazing thing is that Nebraska is getting these kids for "free". Sure, they will use resources. But, NU didn't spend its most valuable currency - scholarships - to land some players who will no doubt contribute to their success. It might be a kicker, a fullback or a wide out. It doesn't matter. Because, as my colleague Steve Hanway once said when writing about next year's starting center Mike Caputo, it is all "found money" for the Huskers.
NU's "Hidden" Advantage
There are many people who will rattle of Nebraska's recruiting disadvantages in recruiting; the weather, the lack of population, the relatively rural life. Nebraska does have some advantages, however, and the walk-on program is among the biggest.
Not only does it help NU better manage the economy of scholarships, it also provides fuel to its whole roster. Players such as former NU great Trev Alberts talk at length about how much more the walk-on athletes try and how that work ethic inevitably rubs off on the other players. I don't mean that coaches use them as leverage to make scholarship guys try harder. I mean that more highly-touted athletes are more likely to "get" what Nebraska football is all about because the walk-on guys set the example. It is a multiplying affect for the whole roster.
This does not happen by accident. The coaches value, and celebrate, the walk-on program and athletes appropriately. They are listed right next to the scholarship guys in the materials that NU puts out about its signees.
They had better continue to respect those kids and their choices. Every kid on Nebraska's walk-on list had some sort of opportunity to play football and get a free education somewhere else. Sure, it might have been at another level. But, with the rising costs of school and the flagging economy, for any kid and their family to pass on a full ride to chase a scarlet and cream dream is saying one heck of a lot.
Nebraska has created a culture where walk-ons are welcome. And, they are much better off for it.
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Dwayne Feb 04 10
I'm curious as to which other top 25 programs possess a walk-on program like NU. For us it's pretty apparent, but what are a few other programs when it comes to walk-ons? 16 additional prospects is nearly another full class of athletes and just by shear numbers some of those naturally have to pan out.
tcole Feb 04 10
Great article. Totally agree and the comments from Trev say it best. What the history of the walk on program means to Nebraska is something that cannot be matched by any other program. The fact that the coaching staff appears to continue to embrace that when it was apparent that the "previous" staff did not, can best be shown by the improvement on the field.
Bill Feb 05 10
I have never seen Dillon Schrodt play football... but his track marks don't exactly scream "explosiveness" on the D1 level. Capable? Possibly.
My 2 cents.
Bill Feb 05 10
Though I must admit that his 40 and vert aren't too shabby.
I may have spoken too soon.