Comments on: Why YOU Should Want to Be the Perfect Walk-On Player

By: David

David — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:14:27 +0000

I have a cousin who was a recruited walk-on at a Big Ten school two years ago. In HS he was All-Conference and All Area with a 31 ACT. He locked in on that school and never considered the scholarship offers from other schools including DI schools because they were not Big Ten. He went to fall practice and was able to suit up for the 7 home games and the bowl game. They did not invite him out for spring ball. He does not want to transfer as he has made friends; is entrenched in his academic program; and doesn’t want to start all over. I recently ran into the recruiting coordinator of the school. ‘Off the record’ I asked him about the walk on program. He said they will bring in 40 players a year and generally keep 4 thru 4-5 years. There are great success stories for those select few. The others quit or are not invited back out. Great attitude or not, alot of those guys are done after one or two years and have never played.

By: alexius brooks

alexius brooks — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:58:14 +0000

thats a good thing to think about because attitude is everything attitude depends on how people treat u && how far u go in life

By: Mitch

Mitch — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:44:44 +0000

Great Article. That just goes to show you that even with adversity in your way the people with the right attitude can turn the negative into a positve.

By: Mom of a Happy Walk On

Mom of a Happy Walk On — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:30:13 +0000

My son had many opportunities to play at the D-2 & D3 level throughout the country. But what he really wanted was a shot to play Division I football in his home state of TEXAS. So he went with a school that had recruited him, but not offered him a scholarship. He was redshirted his freshman year, but gained lots of invaluable experience at a winning D1 program. He suited up every game of the season . Our university had a great season & was invited to play in a Bowl game, so he traveled w/ the team & had the amazing experience of Bowl competition, with all the perks. He hopes to earn a scholarship & the university he chose has promoted walk ons to full rides, often in their sophomore year. He is so grateful to be continuing to play college football, while most of his teammates & friends will never play again. Walking on separates the boys from the men. Yes, they must prove themselves. But attitude is everything. Our son wouldn’t trade his experience for anything. He is going for his dream and will have no regrets, no matter what happens. WALK ON TIP—- he chose a university that has a history of rewarding walk ons, with a head coach who himself was a walkon & appreciates what they bring to the table. If you choose to take the risk of walking on, make sure you do so at a program that has a track record of scholarshipping quality walk ons.

By: Keith

Keith — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:57:25 +0000

That’s a great story, Charles. As you’re probably aware, colleges had unlimited scholarships for football in the 1970’s. Since then, the number of athletic scholarships have been reduced and are very limited. Now, major D1 schools only have 85 scholarships. Even though the walk-on story taps into the emotion of your hard work will pay off, the other side not mentioned is that it doesn’t happen for everyone. In fact, a lot of those walk-ons end up quitting because of financial hardship when they could have played at a D2 or NAIA school where they could receive a lot of financial aid.

By: Charles Lawrence

Charles Lawrence — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:47:44 +0000

I was a walkon back in th 70’s and earned a scholarship. I can relate to everything you said in the article and because of that experience I have benefited later in life as far as confronting challenges and overcoming obstacles. So if you have to “Walkon” that may not be the worst thing you have to do in life.

By: sam b.

sam b. — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 06:40:46 +0000

awesome advice! I like the part where it says your attitude about maybe walking on can put you in control of recruiting and choosing the school you go to. SO TRUE! Thanks for the gr8 article Mr. Krause

By: kaylen pearson

kaylen pearson — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 02:10:50 +0000

this lets me know that if you are willing to work hard for something you can achieve great things chris is some one i would like to be because he is a true leader

By: reynel bullock

reynel bullock — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:33:46 +0000

this seems to be very interesting

By: Keith

Keith — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 17:28:22 +0000

Great advice! If I read what you’re saying right, having a great attitude may even help me get a college scholarship. All I have to do is know the rules of the “recruiting game”. It sure would be nice to have a scholarship out of high school.