Jun. 8—CHAMPAIGN — Illinois coach Bret Bielema famously got his start in college football as a walk-on.
The Prophetstown native tried out at Iowa. Not only did he make the team, but he earned a scholarship, was a starter and eventually became a team captain.
Being a walk-on is an important part of Bielema’s coaching origin story.
Now, there is talk that the new college football model may not include walk-ons.
“I think the walk-on world as we know it is definitely going to evolve and change,” Bielema said during a Thursday press conference at the Smith Center, where the fourth-year Illini coach addressed a number of different topics. “More walk-ons will have to start off with scholarships.”
Like other coaches, Bielema is waiting for some clarity from the powers that be.
“Everything from the viewing of scholarships to roster sizes, no one knows the answer,” Bielema said. “Maybe a lot more fluid.”
Bielema has watched as three of his former walk-ons are now on scholarship in the Group of Five or at FCS schools. Good for the players, but it cuts into his team’s roster depth.
Bielema wants there to be level playing field. Or as close to it as possible.
“If you allow every school to have a roster of 100, some of the schools that have been in place for 50 years as powers, it’s going to be easier for them to add more to their roster,” Bielema said.
The move away from the ability to have walk-ons seems like a horrible idea for college football. Every school has a compelling walk-on story. The movie “Rudy” wouldn’t have been made without the walk-on aspect.
We all love to root for underdogs and walk-ons are by their nature underdogs. Not valued enough, at least initially to earn a scholarship. Now, they give out an award to the top former walk-on, the Burlsworth Trophy. Past winners include Baker Mayfield, Hunter Renfrow and Stetson…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/bob-asmussen-walk-ons-endangered-144700444.html
Author : The News-Gazette, Champaign-Urbana, Ill.
Publish date : 2024-06-08 14:47:00
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