auburn4ever 1,266 Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 Will any walk ons be given scholarships this year? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AubieRick 41 Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 Will Hastings and Griffin King Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auburn4ever 1,266 Posted August 18, 2017 Author Share Posted August 18, 2017 That's awesome. Glad they got on scholarship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LakeBum 187 Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 Congratulations! Being a walk-on is a tough road and takes a lot of hard work and perseverance! WDE to both of you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LKEEL75 2,566 Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 36 minutes ago, LakeBum said: Congratulations! Being a walk-on is a tough road and takes a lot of hard work and perseverance! WDE to both of you! Actually to all 6! link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corchjay 5,311 Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 These are the boys that play for the love of the game. If you've ever known anyone that has walked on at a major university you are basically a blocking and tackling dummy. You probably put in twice the work as scholarship players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triangletiger 1,599 Posted August 19, 2017 Share Posted August 19, 2017 6 hours ago, corchjay said: These are the boys that play for the love of the game. If you've ever known anyone that has walked on at a major university you are basically a blocking and tackling dummy. You probably put in twice the work as scholarship players. Makes me think of the movie 'Rudy' with Sean Astin. Good football movie, for anyone who's never seen it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WFE12 9,191 Posted August 19, 2017 Share Posted August 19, 2017 'ONE OF THE BEST MOMENTS OF MY LIFE': SIX WALK-ONS RECEIVE SCHOLARSH 'ONE OF THE BEST MOMENTS OF MY LIFE': SIX WALK-ONS RECEIVE FOOTBALL SCHOLARSHIPS Gary Walker, who recorded a safety last season on his first college play, was one of six walk-ons to receive scholarships for 2017. Aug. 18, 2017 By Jeff ShearerAuburnTigers.com AUBURN, Ala. - When his sister started crying tears of joy, Gary Walker felt his eyes watering, too. "It was one of the happiest phone calls I've ever made home," said Walker. "My sister started crying. That kind of messed me up a little bit." Walker and five fellow Auburn walk-ons received scholarships Thursday, the highlight of Auburn's rookie night festivities. "Exhilarating," said Walker, a sophomore defensive lineman, whose father, Gary Walker Sr., played for Auburn from 1993-94. "It was one of the best and most honorable moments of my life, to know that all of that hard work had finally paid off. I appreciate the coaches and the coaching staff for the opportunity they've given me." Receivers Will Hastings and Griffin King, fullback Keenan Sweeney, linebacker Chase Ritter and tight end Tucker Brown also received scholarships. "Anytime you can award a scholarship to a well-deserving young man is a special feeling and all six of those guys definitely earned it," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. "Especially me being a former walk-on, it's even more special. Really proud of those guys." Will Hastings made three receptions in Auburn's 2016 season opener. "I was super excited," said Hastings, a junior who made 11 catches and scored a touchdown last season. "Living my dream and showing people that I can do it. I've had some people walk up to me and say, `You're a real inspiration to a lot of people,' so that means a lot. That's a testimony to me, my family and all of the people who supported me." King texted his family as soon as the meeting ended, leading to a congratulatory call from his brother, Gray, a former Auburn walk-on receiver. "My brother called me two seconds after the text went through," Griffin said. "He was just really excited for me. I'm lucky to have him as someone to support me." Like Will Hastings, Griffin King, No. 89, is a 5-10 receiver. While the receivers, Hastings and King, had a hunch they might hear their names called, Ritter was caught unaware. "I wasn't expecting that," Ritter said. "I was ecstatic. That was big time. It's a great honor just to be part of this team. This team has been a tremendous blessing to me. There are very few times in life where you get to be around this kind of group. We have such leadership on this team, and great character." Chase Ritter was not expecting to hear his name called when Auburn awarded scholarships on Thursday. When Malzahn announced the scholarship recipients' names, their teammates cheered loudly. "To know that all of the teammates were behind me, when everyone went nuts, it was surreal," Brown said. "To play in general, regardless of scholarship or not, is just a dream come true. I've always been a true Auburn fan. It's very humbling. I appreciate all of the coaches who believed I was deserving." For Sweeney, who also granted a scholarship last season, the prospect of earning the honor again motivated him. "I'm blessed to do this," Sweeney said. "I'm grateful that Coach Malzahn and this coaching staff gave me another chance. I just want to help this team. It doesn't matter if I'm playing scout team, running with the No. 2s or playing special teams, even signaling plays, I just want to help. I'm very proud. It's very humbling." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUpreacherman22 3,876 Posted August 19, 2017 Share Posted August 19, 2017 That's AUsome! Congrats to those 6 well-deserving young men! War Eagle! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auburn4ever 1,266 Posted August 19, 2017 Author Share Posted August 19, 2017 Congrats to all the guys who were given a scholarship. Y'all earned it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rednilla 5,383 Posted August 20, 2017 Share Posted August 20, 2017 21 hours ago, triangletiger said: Makes me think of the movie 'Rudy' with Sean Astin. Good football movie, for anyone who's never seen it. No, not just a good football movie. It's THE football movie. It's required material for anyone who cares about the pigskin. I hate Notre Dame, but you can't help but to love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abw0004 10,108 Posted August 20, 2017 Share Posted August 20, 2017 16 hours ago, Rednilla said: No, not just a good football movie. It's THE football movie. It's required material for anyone who cares about the pigskin. I hate Notre Dame, but you can't help but to love it. Eh. I am more of a Remember The Titans fan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rednilla 5,383 Posted August 20, 2017 Share Posted August 20, 2017 2 hours ago, abw0004 said: Eh. I am more of a Remember The Titans fan Oh, my favorite football movie is actually Friday Night Lights, but Rudy is the forebearer of them all. Like I said: it's required material. And it does fit this topic (walk-ons receiving scholarships) more than any other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fredst 9,064 Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 I think this is awesome and am proud for these guys. They have earned it.AU has a long history of productive walk-ons. Having said that, I have to admit I long for the day when our roster stays full of high quality talent and we don't have any scholarships to offer to walk-ons, at least not every year. I also hope all these guys ball out this year. WDE to all of them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gr82be 14,402 Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 58 minutes ago, fredst said: I think this is awesome and am proud for these guys. They have earned it.AU has a long history of productive walk-ons. Having said that, I have to admit I long for the day when our roster stays full of high quality talent and we don't have any scholarships to offer to walk-ons, at least not every year. I also hope all these guys ball out this year. WDE to all of them! I hear what you're saying but I also like the fact that a guy who really wants to play for Auburn can walk in and earn a scholarship and realize his dream. Sometimes there are really good players that just aren't highly recruited or there just wasn't room when all the LOIs were signed, sealed and delivered. I will always hope there is at least on spot available for a walk on. The odds are unfortunately pretty good that somebody will either leave or be asked to leave that will give them the opportunity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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