ABC Comments

by crazylady on Sep 29, 2008 10:18 PM CDT

Just wondering if any of you out there watched the game on ABC? I was at the game, but heard at work on Monday that the commentators made reference to "you can't build a national program with walk-ons." Just wondering if that was true or if anyone could set me straight on that? If that is true, I have a few ideas of how to "let my light shine on them" if you know what I mean.

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Spielman said it

During the pregame they were talking about the walk on tradition that is back and Chris Spielman made that statement.

by ryan.senkbile on Sep 30, 2008 7:40 AM CDT reply actions

Past Walkons

I don’t think you want a set # of walkons, but if they can rise to the top of the depth chart, more power to them. I also think they add to the team in the spirit they bring etc.

In the past there have been at least 5 walk-ons make first team All American, about 30 first team All Conference, dozens of starters, hundreds of lettermen and sent 27 players to the NFL.

You can check out the post I made on the subject with a link to a site

by CB1954 on Oct 1, 2008 6:00 PM CDT up reply actions

key words

“in the past”

Bones. It's not just a noun it's a verb. Not just a nickname, a movement.

by Ridiculous Matt on Oct 1, 2008 6:21 PM CDT up reply actions

here's the full quote

Sean (McDonough, the other broadcaster), like I told you…the walk-ons are nice and they work hard and they earn scholarships. They’re good college football players, but if you want to be a program of prominence, you don’t want to be playing with walk-ons. Maybe one or two, but when you have five or six or seven on your team, then you’ve got a little bit of a problem."

Agree or disagree?

Go Big Red Nebraska!
Our Cobs Are Bigger Than Yours!
Corn Nation!

by Jon Johnston on Sep 30, 2008 5:21 PM CDT reply actions

Disagree

I’ve personally known several walk-on players, and I guess I feel that in the past they have immensely helped to make the team be in the category of prominence. However, that was under the direction of Tom Osborne, who had the program down to a science. It may take a while for the Pelini program to understand how to utilize these Nebraska players. I do know for a fact, and will usually speak from that aspect unless I indicate differently, that there is a little confusion as to how to utilize and prepare the walk-ons this year. I certainly attribute some of that to a new head coaching program and the amount of work they had to accomplish in such a short time. The one thing that seems to be an issue from my perspective is the dedication and heart of some of the players. I’m not degrading our players by any means, but Osborne always looked at the character and the heart of the players he recruited, mostly of the walk-ons. The born and bred Nebraska boys have alot to offer. The 5 star recruiting sites usually meant little to Osborne.

by crazylady on Sep 30, 2008 9:59 PM CDT reply actions

I agree

and as much as I like to talk trash about Nebraska this is not meant as an attack: I honestly don’t believe you can be an elite program playing with walk-ons. There is no doubt that NU is a top-10 all-time program, but the days of winning national championships running the ball with a bunch of “Nebraska boys” are long over. College football has changed and I don’t believe NU will EVER again reach the elite level that they used to be at. You have to recruit top players to consitently be a top program and you can’t do that in Lincoln. You guys might have a few top 25 years here and there (your awesome fan support definitely helps), but I would be absolutely SHOCKED if NU wins another national championship in my lifetime (and I’m pretty young). Just my opinion…

by nebraskasux on Oct 1, 2008 4:31 AM CDT reply actions