Brandon Gearing In-Depth

Walk-On Football Players in the NCAABy: Brandon Gearing

The Daily Grind

Photo Credit: Ben Chapman

Photo Credit: Ben Chapman

No Rest for The Weary 7 a.m. Lift

9 a.m. First Class

11 a.m. Second Class

12 p.m. Lunch

2 p.m. Last Class

3 p.m. Practice

6:30 p.m. Homework

8:30 p.m. Dinner

11:30 p.m. Bed

Photo Credit: Ben Chapman

A decorated recruit?6-foot-3, 255 poundsAll-State football playerMember of the

Connecticut All-Star football team

Two-time Stonington High School defensive MVP

Recruited to play at Boston College and Vanderbilt University

Photo Credit: stoningtonctfootball.vnsports.com

Nothing To Show For ItNo scholarshipNo playing timeNo freebees Still happy?

Photo Credit: UConnHuskies.com

By the Numbers…20 of 105

852

“They’re vital to our success as a program. They help us in practice and keep our guys fresh.” – Edsall

A UConn Success

Story•Marcus Easley, 2010 UConn Graduate

•Currently with the Buffalo Bills

•Only second player ever drafted out of UConn

Photo Credit: AP

National Success•Walk-on at Kansas State in 2003•All-American by his senior season in 2007•Most prolific season by a receiver in team history•Now with the Green Bay Packers

Photo Credit: AP

“Necessary Depth”Walk-ons used mostly on the scout teamHelp to prepare starters for competition each

weekKeep the starters freshEmulate the other team’s offense and defenseStudy film, learn plays/playing styles

A lot to know“I know almost the entire offensive playbook

of every team in the Big East.” – Chapman

Trinity CollegeHead coach Jeffrey DevanneyRoster limit = no walk-onsNortheast Suburban Athletic Conference

(NSAC)No scholarshipsNo depth

Photo Credit: athletics.trincoll.edu

“We risk injuring guys that we need out there on the field during games. We’re definitely cautious with some players, especially at positions where we don’t have quality depth.” - Devanney

Southern Connecticut State UniversityHead Coach Rick

Cavanaugh Not the same roster

limitations as TrinityUses walk-ons for

scout team but gives them a fair chance to start

More players trying to walk on at a Division 2 school Photo Credit: southernctowls.com

“They have just as good a chance as anyone else to earn a spot on the field. We have less scholarship guys than a school like UConn, so it’s easier to allow ourselves to see what [a walk-on] can do.” - Cavanaugh

Why bother?At a Division I school with little to no chance

that you’ll playWhen you pay for school but still do the same

work as your teammatesWhen you have to pay to eat in the team

dining hallWhen you aren’t taken to road gamesWhen no one but your closest friends even

knows that you’re on the team

“It’s an experience that tens of thousands of high school football players would love to have.” - Chapman

This is whyChapman, left, is

celebrating UConn’s victory in the International Bowl in Toronto, Canada in 2009

UConn won 38-20 over the University of Buffalo

Photo Credit: Ben Chapman

“I just love the game. To me, just being on the sideline, working with players that talented, experiencing Big East football games, being a member of a Division I football team that wins bowl games – it’s awesome.” - Chapman

The End