The glare of the stadium lights. The distinct smell of freshly mowed grass. The chance to show the world that you have the ability to play with the best of them. This is the opportunity many high school football stars dream of. Yet not all aspiring football players are able to see this dream come true. However, there is one opportunity that gives this dream a second chance: the walk-on.

Each year, Arizona State University, like universities throughout the country, allow aspiring football players to try out for a position on their coveted line up. These players, many ignored or overlooked by recruiting coaches, are given the opportunity to prove their skills on the football field.  This makes the group particularly prone to possessing the tenacity and determination necessary to perform well when given the chance.  ASU in particular has a long tradition of taking walk-on players, some of whom go on to make it big. Indeed, players such as Paul Fanaika, Adam Archuleta, Vince Amoia, and Brian Jennings went on to a successful professional career. Perhaps most famous of this group is former ASU linebacker Darren Woodson, who went on to a spectacular career as a safety for the Dallas Cowboys and ended up winning multiple Super Bowl championships. Like them all, Woodson got his start as a walk-on.

Walk-ons are not second-rate players who simply could not make the cut during their high school days. In fact, one such walk-on, Santana Moss of the Miami Hurricanes, went on to be one of the greatest wide receivers in school history. Many of these players simply wish to try out for a position different than that which they traditionally played. Others may have suffered debilitating injuries during their high school years that prevented them from getting the recognition they deserved. So to those thinking that they just don’t have what it takes because they weren’t recruited straight out of high school, think again. And for those walk-ons who desire a college scholarship, there are options specifically targeted for them. One such option is the Levi Jones Walk-on Scholarship. Jones, a former walk-on at ASU who went on to be drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals, established the scholarship in order to help walk-on players at ASU.

Commenting on the tenacity of fellow walk-ons, Jones said: “Walk-ons have to work twice as hard as everybody else, and for someone to come in under those pretenses and flourish, it shows how much character they have. It isn’t easy being a walk-on.” 1

1 Young, Bob. “From ASU Walk-on to NFL Draft Pick.” The Arizona Republic. 28 April 2009. <http://www.azcentral.com/sports/asu/articles/200 9/04/28/20090428p2main0429.html >