Getty Image / Brett Deering
College football has countless traditions that help it stand out against its pro sports counterparts. One of those traditions is the importance of walk-ons.
Walk-ons, players who are not on scholarship and are paying their own way at the university and sometimes have to go through a tryout to make the team, have been a big part of the lore of college football. But, at least in big-time college football, the era of walk-ons could be coming to an end.
The sport is going through big changes,and pretty much everything is on the table, given the fact that mandatory revenue sharing with the players is likely coming soon. That money is going to have to come from somewhere, and universities are exploring ways to cut costs within the football program.
According to Yahoo! Sports college football analyst Ross Dellenger, walk-ons could be a casualty if smaller roster sizes to limit revenue-sharing costs come into play. Here’s more.
Can you imagine a world without college football walk-ons?
Well, it’s at least under consideration.
As part of a proposed new athlete compensation model, power conference leaders are considering significantly reducing football rosters, potentially moving from a roster of more than 115 to as few as 85-95 players. That figure (85) aligns with the maximum scholarship number permitted under NCAA rules.
The concept, circulated across administrative meetings over the last week, is part of what could be a sweeping and historic transformation of the industry in the coming few months — all of it rooted in a settlement agreement of various antitrust lawsuits. Any settlement of these cases — House, Hubbard and Carter — is expected to feature as much as $2.9 billion in back damages for former players, a future revenue sharing model with current athletes and an overhaul of the NCAA scholarship and roster structure.
C’mon, power brokers. There’s no way you can get rid of walk-ons! Everyone remembers star walk-ons like Baker Mayfield or Jared Aberderris. But, fans of any team can tell you about a few unsung heroes over the years that made plays for their school.
I think everyone understands that change is inevitable. But, it seems like keeping this tradition. is something most can agree on!