To former and current players in a perfect world what choice do you make?

May seem like its so easy for guys to go to a "small college" and start. Doesn't always happen that way. My junior year, we had another junior who transfered from West Virginia as a walk on to play my position in D3 world. He was 6'0" 225lbs (4.5 40), I was 5'8" 195lbs (who knows 40). I ended up with the starting position for two years. He did go on to play in NFL Europe though. But he couldn't start in D3 though. I didn't get the look from bigger colleges b/c of my small stature. I get it.

 

My point is, if you think that it is that easy to play at a small school then you are sadly mistaken. Those small school first stringers are strong. They all are former standout, allstars or captians. If you think you got what it takes then play as high as you can...basically, go big or go home. No room here in "Small College" world but guys with big hearts who lay it on the line.

Sometimes a bigger college isn't better football program.

My guess is there are very few that would choose to walk on and sit the bench. Those who walk on to a D1 school go there with the dream of proving themselves and to take on the challenge of playing at the D1 level. They go there to earn playing time.

May seem like its so easy for guys to go to a "small college" and start. Doesn't always happen that way. My junior year, we had another junior who transfered from West Virginia as a walk on to play my position in D3 world. He was 6'0" 225lbs (4.5 40), I was 5'8" 195lbs (who knows 40). I ended up with the starting position for two years. He did go on to play in NFL Europe though. But he couldn't start in D3 though. I didn't get the look from bigger colleges b/c of my small stature. I get it.

 

My point is, if you think that it is that easy to play at a small school then you are sadly mistaken. Those small school first stringers are strong. They all are former standout, allstars or captians. If you think you got what it takes then play as high as you can...basically, go big or go home. No room here in "Small College" world but guys with big hearts who lay it on the line.

I am not saying it is easy to start anywhere.

I am not saying it is easy to start anywhere.

 

Not saying you are. I get that little man's syndrome at times. It's a curse.

Not saying you are. I get that little man's syndrome at times. It's a curse.

No problem.

I have the most respect for those players who go D-3 and play the game for the love of the game.

May seem like its so easy for guys to go to a "small college" and start. Doesn't always happen that way. My junior year, we had another junior who transfered from West Virginia as a walk on to play my position in D3 world. He was 6'0" 225lbs (4.5 40), I was 5'8" 195lbs (who knows 40). I ended up with the starting position for two years. He did go on to play in NFL Europe though. But he couldn't start in D3 though. I didn't get the look from bigger colleges b/c of my small stature. I get it.

 

My point is, if you think that it is that easy to play at a small school then you are sadly mistaken. Those small school first stringers are strong. They all are former standout, allstars or captians. If you think you got what it takes then play as high as you can...basically, go big or go home. No room here in "Small College" world but guys with big hearts who lay it on the line.

 

So this guy rode the pine for two years in D3 and later played in NFL Europe?

This is a case by case basis. I would personally rather walk on because most people do not care about small college football whether it is d2 d3 or NAIA. I would much rather play for a team that people care about. On the other hand most of the walk-ons will redshirt and if they stick it out all the way through then they will have played on a team for 5 years and possibly never play.

So this guy rode the pine for two years in D3 and later played in NFL Europe?

 

Yeah, not sure how it happened either. He was an athlete, just not a hard worker and took his talent for granite. He didn't work at the little things...Blocking schemes, blitz pickups, discipline running attack,, that sort of thing. It was the Barcelona Dragons too. He was special teams and back up RB. I think he had some connections. That helps too in all levels.

No problem.

I have the most respect for those players who go D-3 and play the game for the love of the game.

 

 

 

What other reason is there to play for?

Very few freshmen start in their first year at DI schools anyway, so if you have the chance to get on the squad and put in a determined effort, your chances are just as good as the scholarship freshman to earn time on the field. It all depends on what your dreams and goals consist of.

Very few freshmen start in their first year at DI schools anyway, so if you have the chance to get on the squad and put in a determined effort, your chances are just as good as the scholarship freshman to earn time on the field. It all depends on what your dreams and goals consist of.

 

Walk ons will never get the benefit of the doubt in a major college program. The coaches will do whatever it takes to make sure there guy (scholarship guy) gets the nod over a walk on. Now there are instances where these guys play, but that is far from the norm.

As far as playing for a program that people care about, to me that is a cop out. In my opinion a competitor wants to find a place they can compete and play. Who cares what everyone else thinks.

How many guys actually go to the NFL? Very few! Why go D-1 and ride the pine when you can go to a small college and play. My point is that very few people make a living playing football after college, don't waste 1 or 2 or sometimes even 3 years of your college career sitting on the bench when you could play as a freshman and have 4 great years of memories to tell your kids and grandkids about. If a player actually has a chance to play at the pro level then go D-1, if not go small, and be realistic about your own skills and talent.

Maybe that's why we're underachieving as a nation. We'd rather our kids not challenge themselves and shoot for the stars, but encourage them to dig for the rocks. Show me a program that constantly chooses NON PRODUCTIVE recruits for playing time over the HIGHLY PRODUCTIVE walk on, and I believe you have an unsuccessful program. Thing is, if you're a walk on, you've got to work twice as hard and twice as long. Question is..........Is it worth it to you reguardless of the results.

I hope Colosimo can prove that it's worth it as he walks on at Duke.