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I am aware of a recruit, who is All County Defense and been to SMU's Summer FB Camp. Given the volume of tapes and communications flooding the new coaching and recruiting staff, should he pursue or express interest in being a Preferred Walk-on, where he could earn a partial or full scholarship based on making the team and contributing later.

Not familar with the possibility or approach to investigating it. Anyone have comments?

Water Pony wrote:I am aware of a recruit, who is All County Defense and been to SMU's Summer FB Camp. Given the volume of tapes and communications flooding the new coaching and recruiting staff, should he pursue or express interest in being a Preferred Walk-on, where he could earn a partial or full scholarship based on making the team and contributing later.

Not familar with the possibility or approach to investigating it. Anyone have comments?

Hawaii had an amazing walk-on program (led by Rich Miano who walked on to UH and ended up with a long NFL career) under JJ. JJ normally would save about 3 (normally 3-5 awarded) scholarships per year to award to walk-ons who earned playing time.

The walk on program really helped with depth and there are a lot of players that slip through the cracks in the recruiting process. That happened in Hawaii because they were so far away from most recruiters, but it can happen in Texas because of the sheer number of high school players and the limited available scholarships.

Garret wrote:

Water Pony wrote:I am aware of a recruit, who is All County Defense and been to SMU's Summer FB Camp. Given the volume of tapes and communications flooding the new coaching and recruiting staff, should he pursue or express interest in being a Preferred Walk-on, where he could earn a partial or full scholarship based on making the team and contributing later.

Not familar with the possibility or approach to investigating it. Anyone have comments?

Hawaii had an amazing walk-on program (led by Rich Miano who walked on to UH and ended up with a long NFL career) under JJ. JJ normally would save about 3 (normally 3-5 awarded) scholarships per year to award to walk-ons who earned playing time.

The walk on program really helped with depth and there are a lot of players that slip through the cracks in the recruiting process. That happened in Hawaii because they were so far away from most recruiters, but it can happen in Texas because of the sheer number of high school players and the limited available scholarships.

Walk on
Thomas Morstead

Some amazing fb players slip through the cracks, it's true

Thanks for the examples, but are there any steps the student can take to bring his interest to the staff or even Admissions?

Water Pony wrote:Thanks for the examples, but are there any steps the student can take to bring his interest to the staff or even Admissions?

ummm not sure what would yield the best results but:

1. send in his tape
2. have his coach call
3. Call:
a) JJ,
b)the recruiting coordinator for his area,
c) and call his position coach.
4. show up to SMU with a tape in his hand (with his coach if possible), test scores, transcripts, etc. and maybe even some junior recruits the coach would like to get in front of Jones... I know that seems craxy but when I was a junior my coach took me to A&M and TCU (when fran was a frog) along with our top senior recruits, and it got my name out quick and started a pipeline which is good for both coaches and all of the players involved.
5. Be relentless! SMU is where he/she should be. preferred walk-on is nice, but he will probably red-shirted regardless. if he has to show up on the first day of classes, then so be it. work hard prove you are worthy and earn a scholarship... happens more often then you would think

It's hard for a school as expensive as SMU to develop any kind of meaningful walk-on pipeline, as some others have.

cause you know, hawaii is cheap to attend...

MustangLaxer wrote:cause you know, hawaii is cheap to attend...

I don't think a bunch of east coast kids go to Hawaii with chances of walking on. Walk-ons are more than likely somewhat local guys, unless they were already going to there regardless of the chance to walk-on.

Water Pony wrote:Not familar with the possibility or approach to investigating it. Anyone have comments?

You should try playing some pickup basketball with the guy and recruit him that way.