Walk-on Players

[Tree Pride]

I was wondering, on average, how many walk-on players we have had on our roster over the last three years? What type of on-field contributions did they make? Are walk-ons limited to invited players by the coaching staff? Any information or stories would be great. Thanks in advance.

 

[IndianaState45]

Pretty sure kids have to first express interest with coach, maybe turn in some high school film, then a few are picked to try out in spring ball where we have needs. Most get cut but a few make it. Don't know much about contributions...guessing its minimal. Some kids are recruited walk ons out of high school which is a more favorable spot to be in. Coaches see something in you and want to develop you likely in a new position. Its a hard road to travel. Not easy at all. I think Miles has some kind of tryout before spring ball to decide what walk ons are invited into spring. Also in the fall i've seen a few kids show up on the sidelines after camp and join in as tackling dummies to fill out a roster or add depth on the practice squad. They join after camp because there are head counts to stay under before the season starts.

 

[bent20]

Why do you ask?

 

[Tree Pride]

My son will be DIII football in the fall for a top 25 team and has been thinking about transferring to ISU after one or two years. Through me, he has been a fan of ISU sports for over ten years. One of his goals was to play for ISU when the losing streak was going on.

 

[SupportTheSyc's]

My son will be DIII football in the fall for a top 25 team and has been thinking about transferring to ISU after one or two years. Through me, he has been a fan of ISU sports for over ten years. One of his goals was to play for ISU when the losing streak was going on.

If he was interested in playing for ISU during the lean years (not so long ago) that says something about the young man. Walk on opportunities are tough but if he has the desire and interest I would encourage you to put together and send coach a highlight video-

 

[TJames]

Have them contact Coach Miles through the football office. Indiana State has had a fine tradition of walkons, both invited walkons and guys just showing up, getting a chance to play. The caveat, though, is that they must be willing to put up with a lot in terms of sitting the pines until they get a chance to play. We've had a lot of guys who werent recruited who have just shown up and have bided their time until getting a chance to show what they could do. Troy Johnson is one such example. He just showed up at Memorial Stadium and hung around until Coach Raetz told the equipment people to give him some equipment. He ended up being an All-MVC linebacker for the Sycamores and had a shot with the NY Jets as an undrafted free agent. You just have to be willing to stick it out. Most walkons leave if they dont see immediate gratification.

 

[Whistlegoat]

I need to intercede here because NCAA rules prohibit fans, boosters, ISU staff, coaches, student athletes from communicating about, encouraging or providing guidance on the possibility of transferring with a student athlete of another school, their parents or anyone on their behalf without a formal written release from the prior school. Therefore, I would respectfully ask that all communications with the person alleging to be the parent of an NCAA student athlete who is attending another school to please cease. This is one of the many dangers of social media and fan message boards.

Thank you for your cooperation.

On a side note, in the sport of football, if a student athlete transfers from a D3 school up to D1, they have to sit out a year and cannot compete.

 

[Whistlegoat]

I should also add that this rule also prohibits fans, boosters, student athletes, coaches, and staff from communicating with any prospective athlete, their parents or anyone else on their behalf. Recruiting must be left exclusively to the coaches. Otherwise, it can end up rendering that prospect/recruit ineligible to play at ISU. Thanks for your help.

 

[TJames]

Good call Whistle. Good to see that you are monitoring things NCAA-rules-wise.

 

[Whistlegoat]

Hey, Tom. I know you guys are all well-intentioned. Just needed to step in so it didn't go too far. I know you and everyone else cares about helping me and our school do things right. Thanks again. See you soon.

 

[TJames]

Whistle, you are correct. Usually if I am asked, I just tell people to contact coaches. No recruiting on my part.

 

[Tree Pride]

I do not want our program or anybody in trouble in any way, shape or form. My son still hasn't decided on where to go to college. His twin sister will be attending ISU this fall and he has the desire to play for ISU but he wants to actually play college football. We were not sure of the actual opportunites given to walk-ons. If these posts could be against NCAA guidelines please take them down.

 

[Bally #50]

Hey, Tom. I know you guys are all well-intentioned. Just needed to step in so it didn't go too far. I know you and everyone else cares about helping me and our school do things right. Thanks again. See you soon.

We should ALL thank you for monitoring us here on SP. Although we all have the same goal in mind, the NCAA has some pretty strict rules on how we promote our school and our athletic department and as you have just stated, it is not always as simple as a phone call. Not only do I appreciate your contributions, I also commend many in Ron's office for keeping an eye on us here in general.

 

[bent20]

I don't know how the NCAA can monitor or enforce such "violations" on fan message boards. Seems like they would need an army of people monitoring them all. And I'm not sure it should be a violation. It's people talking and sharing information. That said, it is better to be cautious.

 

[TJames]

Bent, the NCAA depends on each school to monitor its fan websites and to do what Whistle has done. When a violation is spotted, then its up to the school to take care of the issue and then to self-report the violation to the NCAA.

My only question, and its the same question that I had when I worked at Indiana State, is that there are so many gray areas on this topic. You have some schools that are on top of things and follow the exact guidelines of the NCAA. And then you have other schools who let things slide and take advantage of the situation.

Indiana State is trying to do things the right way and for that they should be commended. But when other schools take advantage of that "doing things the right way" thought process, they present an unfair competitive advantage recruiting-wise to my way of thinking. I've seen it happen.