Walk-ons

[PonyPower]

The paper says we had 14 walk-ons show up Sunday. Anyone know who they are, what position, how big, where they went to HS, etc.?
Thanks

[WildHorse]

Any big linemen in the group?

[Guest]

Don't know if anyone saw this, but I read this on SMUMustangs.com.

Newcomers Open Football Practice Two-a-Days Begin on the Hilltop

DALLAS, TEXAS -- SMU head coach Phil Bennett put his newcomers through a pair of two-hour practices on Tuesday at the Pettus Practice Fields as the Mustangs kicked off the 2002 season.

"It was great to get out there today," Bennett said. "We have some young guys that have a lot of potential and we have some spots where some of the new guys might be able to contribute."

One player that will be counted on immediately is punter Ryan Mentzel of Midlothian, Texas, who is expected to be SMU's punter on opening day against Navy on August 31.

"I am now the punting coach," Bennett said with a laugh after the morning practice. "Just watching Ryan, you can tell he has what it takes. He gets the ball off very quickly."

The newcomers will continue two-a-days on Wednesday. SMU's veterans report on Wednesday night and go through an orientation day on Thursday. The first full squad workout is set for Friday morning at 8:00 a.m.

"These first couple of days for the newcomers are very important because things will pick up when everyone is out here" said Bennett. "I was really pleased with their effort today and think we have a good group to work with."

In other SMU football news, Bennett announced today that senior defensive end Markus Pratt will report with the team's veterans on Wednesday. The Navasota, Texas native, who was ineligible last fall, is back in good academic standing at the university but needs a waiver from the NCAA for its 24 credit hour rule to be eligible for the season.

Pratt led the Mustangs with six sacks and 14 tackles for loss in 2000 and has 12 career sacks.

[Smuboy]

You asked who some of these walk-ons were. Matt Young is a walk-on who had great success in Houston Memorial's tough distict 21-5A (with the perennially state ranked Aldine schools). He led the distict in rushing with 1,687 yards his senior year for a 7.81 yards per carry average. He scored 18 touchdowns despite sharing the backfield with another talented running back. Matt weighs in at about 200 pounds and his high school coach Gary Koch claims that Matt loses no quickness in his uniform. A solid citizen, Matt was named outstanding senior boy at Memorial high. No, I am not a relative.

[Recruiting Guru]

I'd heard last year that SMU was recruiting Matt, and strongly considered offering a scholarship. Matt is a very productive player who has exceptional acceleration. He might not run a 4.2, but he hits his top speed very quickly. He also changes directions well and has an elusive quality that helps him make defenders miss.