What are the benefits of being a preferred walk-on?

Nothing really. You are what you are... a walk-on.

The coaches just prefer you to walk on, instead of offering a scholly. Same as a walk-on, no difference.

You are guaranted a spot on the team and get the same things as scholorship players do, just not schlorship money. There is a chance that you could later get on schlorship if you play to a high level.

1A schools are only allowed by NCAA rule to bring in 105 players to camp. There are 85 scholarship players at 1A schools. The "preferred" walkon means you will be one of the walkon's that are invited to camp with the scholarship players. All other walkons are not allowed to start practicing until school starts.

1A schools are only allowed by NCAA rule to bring in 105 players to camp. There are 85 scholarship players at 1A schools. The "preferred" walkon means you will be one of the walkon's that are invited to camp with the scholarship players. All other walkons are not allowed to start practicing until school starts.

 

This is HUGE at some schools. The semester schools not so much as schools on quarters. (ex.: Univ. Cincy). UC was 3 games into the season before school started this year.

This is HUGE at some schools. The semester schools not so much as schools on quarters. (ex.: Univ. Cincy). UC was 3 games into the season before school started this year.

 

Didn't UC just switch from quarters, or are they about to?

Another point to consider on walk ons - This is highly political in that a walk on may have better skills and abilities than a scholly player but never make the team.

Another point to consider on walk ons - This is highly political in that a walk on may have better skills and abilities than a scholly player but never make the team.

 

Exactly because the coach that recruited the scholarship kid will play him over the walk-on because they do not want to look like poor evaluaters.

 

I know it is not the case all the time but it is very political.

Well this is better than just a walk-on they asked you to be on the team.....not like you just showed up after class one day. But I agree you would have to impress them greatly to make a school take the egg of not playing a scholarship kid.

You are guaranted a spot on the team and get the same things as scholorship players do, just not schlorship money. There is a chance that you could later get on schlorship if you play to a high level.

 

You do not travel with the team, you do not get meals, board, tuition, books, you just practice and get your head beat in on your dime. If you get hurt you are just out of luck. If you are lucky, and I MEAN REALLY LUCKY you may prove to the coaches through your efforts that you deserve a scholarship and will work your way into one. This rarely happens however. Preferred walk ons and walk ons are different only in that a preferred walk on has a walk on spot on the team and a regular walk on has to come "try out" to see if they have a spot. A team can have a total of 105 players usually 85 of those are on scholarship and the remaining are walk-ons. If you have a scholarship offer---even from a lower division school I would advise anyone to take that over a preferred walk on no matter where it is. JMHO

You do not travel with the team, you do not get meals, board, tuition, books, you just practice and get your head beat in on your dime. If you get hurt you are just out of luck. If you are lucky, and I MEAN REALLY LUCKY you may prove to the coaches through your efforts that you deserve a scholarship and will work your way into one. This rarely happens however. Preferred walk ons and walk ons are different only in that a preferred walk on has a walk on spot on the team and a regular walk on has to come "try out" to see if they have a spot. A team can have a total of 105 players usually 85 of those are on scholarship and the remaining are walk-ons. If you have a scholarship offer---even from a lower division school I would advise anyone to take that over a preferred walk on no matter where it is. JMHO

 

MORE PLAYERS NEED TO HEAR THIS. Bigger isnt always better. I also believe that if you are a regular walk on, you have about 2-3 days to prove yourself; and as stated above, this is after the rest of the team has been in camp for a number of weeks. the walk on gets thrown into the fire. So if you are a player who has the opportunity to play football at thomas more or have the possibility to walk on at UK, rethink what you are doing. many great players walk on, dont make the team, and that is the end of the career.

Must have been worth it to Rudy at Notre Dame....

 

I'm with orangecrush, go where you can play and most importantly, get that education.

It is different for every person, depending on what you want to get out of the entire college football experience. I had the opportunity to play at a smaller school but chose to walk on at UK several years ago, I didn't see the field much but did enough to letter as a senior. Looking back, the things that I have taken away from that experience are invaluable. The K-Club connections, life time season tickets, bowl games, etc.... some of the things that you may or may not get at a smaller school. Yea, it is hard work and it is definitely not for everyone, you may not even realize the take aways until much later in life but I say that it was definitely worth it for me. If a kid thinks that they may have a chance to play at that level, I say go ahead and give it a shot; there is nothing like running out in front of 65,000 people on Saturdays in Lexington. You will never know unless you try it. I have never had one regret!

For some players I think it is about finding out how good you really are. I think for some, if they go to the small school and have a nice career they may always wonder what if. I think the player has to make the decision that is best for them. For some that nice small school career is perfect. For some, they would rather go for the D1 opportunity and find out if they are good enough to play at that level.