LINK I'm sure he's a great kid and deserves this. But imagine if Miles and Stud announced that they were starting a walk-on at right tackle. The message boards would melt (literally and figuratively) and the TD membership might just do one of those instant text messaging mob things at Miles' house. Our program and their program - not in the same place at this time. Rahim Alem - we have an early birthday present for ya!
Because there wasn't a better player on scholarship? What does that say about recruiting success at that position? Either you totally missed on the walk-on that earned the spot (by not offering him), or you totally missed on the guys you DID offer at that position. That said, I want the best guy on the field, however they found their way to campus.
Yeah - that was my point. With 85 scholarship athletes on the team (an assumption), it seems interesting that a walkon OL will start for a Pac-10 team. We have Dugas starting at FB, but OL recruiting is serious business. Imagine if Dugas was starting at RT instead of Barksdale. Not unheard of, I guess. But it definitely sends a signal about recruiting and player development.
:shock: Wow, I'm really surprised...I guess it depends on the culture of the school. :huh: UW has always had a lot of walkons including a former coach, Jim Lambright. Dane Looker walked on in the middle 90's and I think he's still in the NFL. Just in recent memory we've had Dane Looker, Joe Jarzynka, and Ben Mahdavi, all starters and important contributors. Another walkon, Josh Gage started for us at linebacker last year and is a backup this year. Our quarterback, Jake Locker, is not on scholarship and is paying for his own tuition. I know Nebraska has also traditionally had a lot of walkons. For both UW and Nebraska, the walkons have seemed to always be white guys with a lot of heart and desire (and money to pay for tuition!) Maybe it's not worth the time to give walkons a chance? But if one happens to prove himself, so what if you look bad? :dis: .
more like culture of the South in general when it comes to football. this is BIG. it is HUGE. if a walk-on is starting on a team that recruits relentlessly, i just don't know how that could possibly happen -- unless some dude just really wants to go to a particular school and turned down 'ships from other programs.
