Walk-ons don't get the glory, but they're still important

Alabama A&M University Bulldog coach Anthony Jones: "Walk-ons are a huge part of our program with the scout teams," he wrote. "They also add depth to our team and help on special teams until they develop into quality players, once they learn the game at the college level."

Wednesday was National Signing Day, when recruited athletes commit to football programs and receive scholarships. Throughout my coaching career, I felt winning recruiting battles was as important as winning games, and I'm sure coaches today feel the same. However, there is another aspect of building a successful team that most college fans overlook: the importance of acquiring walk-ons. The NCAA clearly defines the role of a walk-on. Walk-ons cannot receive institutional financial aid.

Alabama's legendary coach, Bear Bryant, was responsible for that rule being instituted in the 1960s. To override the NCAA's scholarship limit at that time, Bear provided football players with baseball, track, tennis and even golf scholarships to create a deep roster that is essential in building a competitive team. Walk-ons may not be important to fans, but to coaches they are often vital to a program -- especially since the NCAA capped Division I football scholarships at 85 (Division I-AA limit is 63 scholarships).

Eighty-five scholarship players sounds like a lot, but those numbers are often reduced by 5 to 10 percent due to injuries, eligibility problems, disciplinary suspensions and players quitting or transferring. Also, factor in one or two place-kickers, one or two punters and a long snapper who rarely are involved in rough, tough drills and scrimmages. That reduction in numbers can have a negative impact on a critical part of building a successful team: practice.

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