2026 commits

[LawGenius305]

5 minutes ago, leezer99 said:

How is that? They are both pro athletes. 

There is a free agent market professionally with trades and drafts to keep the market fair.  If a player quits on the team and university there has to be a system to penalize for the money and time invested.

[leezer99]

3 hours ago, LawGenius305 said:

There is a free agent market professionally with trades and drafts to keep the market fair.  If a player quits on the team and university there has to be a system to penalize for the money and time invested.

Then every university should be signing 4 year contracts and they're not. Imagine you're a kid that gets recruited to play at your #1 choice and then they decide to cut you after one year. Does the university lose a roster spot for a year?

[leezer99]

[ATXGolferGuy]

On 10/18/2024 at 11:20 AM, LawGenius305 said:

Calling BS on roster limits kill opportunities. It opens the door for more opportunities in different divisions where kids can actually play rather than ride the pine.

I haven't read the entire thread but roster limits absolutely will make it harder for opportunities to be made, all at one school.  The elimination of walk-ons in college sports is just one horrible consequence from the NCAA's continued screwing of the athlete. 

 

Take 2nd Team All American DB Michael Taaffe from Texas, had this settlement been in place in 2021 he would not have been able to be a preferred walk-on at UT.....the school he really wanted to be at.  He doesn't see the field during TX 5-7 2021 year, plays in 13 games in 2022, starts 9 games last year and is Honorable Mention All Big 12, started every game this year earning 2nd Team All American Status while anchoring the best defense in college football and a chance to win the National Title. All because he had the opportunity to walk-on....if that chance gets taken away, that is the very definition of a killed opportunity. 

 

While college sports has become big big business over the last 30 years or so, there must be a way to keep at least some elements of the amateurish vibe they once had.  In my view, walk-ons are and should be a major part of that. The fight to save the walk-on   As much as I can't stand the aggy's (that is how us Longhorns spell it), at one time their entire kick off coverage team was walk ons 

 

It's not just football either.  One of baseballs all time greats Ozzie Smith was a walk-on way back in 1974 at Cal Poly.

 

If a kid paying their own way to go to the school wants to try out for the school team, then why should they NOT have that opportunity to give it a shot?  It is one of the very few remaining things that makes college sports so much more special than its professional brother. 

 

I'd urge you to read these linked articles and more on the subject as they are just a taste of what it really means to be a walk-on.

[LawGenius305]

11 hours ago, ATXGolferGuy said:

I haven't read the entire thread but roster limits absolutely will make it harder for opportunities to be made, all at one school.  The elimination of walk-ons in college sports is just one horrible consequence from the NCAA's continued screwing of the athlete. 

 

Take 2nd Team All American DB Michael Taaffe from Texas, had this settlement been in place in 2021 he would not have been able to be a preferred walk-on at UT.....the school he really wanted to be at.  He doesn't see the field during TX 5-7 2021 year, plays in 13 games in 2022, starts 9 games last year and is Honorable Mention All Big 12, started every game this year earning 2nd Team All American Status while anchoring the best defense in college football and a chance to win the National Title. All because he had the opportunity to walk-on....if that chance gets taken away, that is the very definition of a killed opportunity. 

 

While college sports has become big big business over the last 30 years or so, there must be a way to keep at least some elements of the amateurish vibe they once had.  In my view, walk-ons are and should be a major part of that. The fight to save the walk-on   As much as I can't stand the aggy's (that is how us Longhorns spell it), at one time their entire kick off coverage team was walk ons 

 

It's not just football either.  One of baseballs all time greats Ozzie Smith was a walk-on way back in 1974 at Cal Poly.

 

If a kid paying their own way to go to the school wants to try out for the school team, then why should they NOT have that opportunity to give it a shot?  It is one of the very few remaining things that makes college sports so much more special than its professional brother. 

 

I'd urge you to read these linked articles and more on the subject as they are just a taste of what it really means to be a walk-on.

They are going from 85 scholarship players to 105 in football. Who is to say he wouldn't be one of the 105 scholarship players?

 

The NCAA capping rosters is one of the best things they have ever done to create parity in college athletics.  If you can't walk on at Texas, try to play at Angelo State University.

 

I don't see how a walk on can make college athletics special.  That statement makes no sense to me.  NIL and Transfer portal have ruined college athletics.  

[LawGenius305]

On 12/23/2024 at 2:37 PM, leezer99 said:

Then every university should be signing 4 year contracts and they're not. Imagine you're a kid that gets recruited to play at your #1 choice and then they decide to cut you after one year. Does the university lose a roster spot for a year?

Imagine the University investing time, money, and resources into a kid to have them transfer after a year. There has to be a penalty for transferring.  

[leezer99]

9 minutes ago, LawGenius305 said:

They are going from 85 scholarship players to 105 in football. Who is to say he wouldn't be one of the 105 scholarship players?

 

The NCAA capping rosters is one of the best things they have ever done to create parity in college athletics.  If you can't walk on at Texas, try to play at Angelo State University.

 

I don't see how a walk on can make college athletics special.  That statement makes no sense to me.  NIL and Transfer portal have ruined college athletics.  

Tell me you've never watched Rudy without telling me you've never watched Rudy. 

[golferdad8]

On 12/23/2024 at 11:37 AM, leezer99 said:

Then every university should be signing 4 year contracts and they're not. Imagine you're a kid that gets recruited to play at your #1 choice and then they decide to cut you after one year. Does the university lose a roster spot for a year?

I still think of the poor HS kids who commit July of after his Sophomore year of HS and then 14 months later - even after beating half the roster players at amateur - gets cut by the new golf coach (and brings in his new recruits). 

[LOB-Dwight]

10 minutes ago, golferdad8 said:

I still think of the poor HS kids who commit July of after his Sophomore year of HS and then 14 months later - even after beating half the roster players at amateur - gets cut by the new golf coach (and brings in his new recruits). 

Cal?

[LawGenius305]

On 12/31/2024 at 9:53 AM, leezer99 said:

Tell me you've never watched Rudy without telling me you've never watched Rudy. 

A movie about a lot of things that never happened. 

[ATXGolferGuy]

On 1/2/2025 at 8:11 AM, LawGenius305 said:

A movie about a lot of things that never happened. 

Like almost every single movie ever made about real life events, some artistic license was taken....yes the part where all the players lay jerseys on coach Devine's desk didn't happen....but cornerback Pat Sarb DID go to him and tell him Rudy should dress in his spot.....his son even walked on at Notre Dame years later and wore Rudy's number.

 

The main premise of the film though (WALKING ON and playing for his beloved college team) 100% happened.  He did play in the game, and he did get a sack on the Georgia Tech QB.  He was carried off the field, yes not like in the movie but it did happen. 

 

From Walk On to All Americans and PGA Tour Champion These are college golf walk-ons that include All Americans like Jordan Russell from Texas A&M who was dead last on the team his first two years and PGA Tour winners like Johnson Wagner.  It's not about playing at some other school just to play, some kids want to only play out their dream of playing for XYZ school because that is who they grew up watching and rooting for.  Being able to walk on at your school is one of the very last things that separates college sports from the pros.

 

More scholarships does not always mean more opportunities....especially for the guys that don't have stars next to their names. Kids don't give a hoot about parity in college athletics if it takes away opportunities for them to earn a spot on their team. 

 

 

[leezer99]

45 minutes ago, ATXGolferGuy said:

Like almost every single movie ever made about real life events, some artistic license was taken....yes the part where all the players lay jerseys on coach Devine's desk didn't happen....but cornerback Pat Sarb DID go to him and tell him Rudy should dress in his spot.....his son even walked on at Notre Dame years later and wore Rudy's number.

 

The main premise of the film though (WALKING ON and playing for his beloved college team) 100% happened.  He did play in the game, and he did get a sack on the Georgia Tech QB.  He was carried off the field, yes not like in the movie but it did happen. 

 

From Walk On to All Americans and PGA Tour Champion These are college golf walk-ons that include All Americans like Jordan Russell from Texas A&M who was dead last on the team his first two years and PGA Tour winners like Johnson Wagner.  It's not about playing at some other school just to play, some kids want to only play out their dream of playing for XYZ school because that is who they grew up watching and rooting for.  Being able to walk on at your school is one of the very last things that separates college sports from the pros.

 

More scholarships does not always mean more opportunities....especially for the guys that don't have stars next to their names. Kids don't give a hoot about parity in college athletics if it takes away opportunities for them to earn a spot on their team. 

 

 

Maverick McNealy was a walk on at Stanford. 

[LOB-Dwight]

Was Mav a walk on because his dad is a billionaire or beacuse he wasn’t viewed as a recruit that should receive money at a progam like stanford. 

Edited January 5 by LOB-Dwight
Typo

[golferdad8]

2 hours ago, LOB-Dwight said:

Was Mav a walk on because his dad is a billionaire or beacuse he wasn’t viewed as a recruit that should receive money at a progam like stanford. 

The definition of “walk on” is a bit of misnomer. Both recruited athletes & walk-ons need to apply & get past admissions in order to have a spot on a team. This term is even more nebulous when it’s a private college & the walk on is a known applicant, ie son or daughter of famous/rich parents who don’t need any scholarship $. His dad McNeally is well known at Stanford as a generous donor & frequent speaker,(so were VIPs like Bill Gates & Steve Jobs’ daughters). 
 

This applies to the other coast also where Harvard’s had many recent “walk ons.” After all, what’s the difference between recruited & walk on if no scholarship $ are provided as long as the coach offers a spot on the team (upon admission)?

[LOB-Dwight]

4 hours ago, golferdad8 said:

The definition of “walk on” is a bit of misnomer. Both recruited athletes & walk-ons need to apply & get past admissions in order to have a spot on a team. This term is even more nebulous when it’s a private college & the walk on is a known applicant, ie son or daughter of famous/rich parents who don’t need any scholarship $. His dad McNeally is well known at Stanford as a generous donor & frequent speaker,(so were VIPs like Bill Gates & Steve Jobs’ daughters). 
 

This applies to the other coast also where Harvard’s had many recent “walk ons.” After all, what’s the difference between recruited & walk on if no scholarship $ are provided as long as the coach offers a spot on the team (upon admission)?

Rephrased. Had Mav been unable to afford Stanford, was he good enough to have warranted some % of athletic scholarship?  

[leezer99]

8 hours ago, LOB-Dwight said:

Was Mav a walk on because his dad is a billionaire or beacuse he wasn’t viewed as a recruit that should receive money at a progam like stanford. 

 

He got into Stanford on his own merit and Conrad didn't even know he was attending Stanford until Maverick approached him later on. He also got onto the team on his own merit by finishing pretty high in the US Jr Am in 2012 iirc. There was a video somewhere of Conrad speaking about this with other coaches.

[golferdad8]

59 minutes ago, leezer99 said:

 

He got into Stanford on his own merit and Conrad didn't even know he was attending Stanford until Maverick approached him later on. He also got onto the team on his own merit by finishing pretty high in the US Jr Am in 2012 iirc. There was a video somewhere of Conrad speaking about this with other coaches.

He’s a great kid & I’m a fan. However, even if he changed his last name & applied to a college anonymously, I’m not sure that any billionaire’s kid who grew up with his privileges, education (Harker prep school), country clubs, access, etc would get into any selective college on his “own merit.”

As for Conrad not knowing, there’s either revisionist history or it’s a folklore narrative here as I recall a different story from Maverick’s interview with Coach McGraw. Conrad knew the family well & there’s no way he didn’t know a kid named McNealy who went deep twice in the US Jr Am (including after his junior year) & regularly played in the top NorCal private golf courses with Stanford team members was not planning to golf there. 

[Golfquant]

at many schools if a recruit has wealthy parents it is a major plus, as it is highly likely they will support the team in some way (in addition to the fact that they won't need athletic scholarship $)

 

McNealy was basically a recruit with a guarantee, as he was told 1) if he gets in he has a spot on the team and 2) there was almost 100% chance he was getting in due to family influence and donations to Stanford

[happygolucky]

You know the McNealy name goes far at Stanford. Don’t forget Dakota McNealy was also on the team. Another walk-on? How was his junior career?

 

Stanford seems to like Uber rich recruits. If you’re not super rich you better be really, really good. 
 

 

[LawGenius305]

On 1/4/2025 at 4:05 PM, ATXGolferGuy said:

Like almost every single movie ever made about real life events, some artistic license was taken....yes the part where all the players lay jerseys on coach Devine's desk didn't happen....but cornerback Pat Sarb DID go to him and tell him Rudy should dress in his spot.....his son even walked on at Notre Dame years later and wore Rudy's number.

 

The main premise of the film though (WALKING ON and playing for his beloved college team) 100% happened.  He did play in the game, and he did get a sack on the Georgia Tech QB.  He was carried off the field, yes not like in the movie but it did happen. 

 

From Walk On to All Americans and PGA Tour Champion These are college golf walk-ons that include All Americans like Jordan Russell from Texas A&M who was dead last on the team his first two years and PGA Tour winners like Johnson Wagner.  It's not about playing at some other school just to play, some kids want to only play out their dream of playing for XYZ school because that is who they grew up watching and rooting for.  Being able to walk on at your school is one of the very last things that separates college sports from the pros.

 

More scholarships does not always mean more opportunities....especially for the guys that don't have stars next to their names. Kids don't give a hoot about parity in college athletics if it takes away opportunities for them to earn a spot on their team. 

 

 

Walk ons can choose to become a scholar athlete at another university.  Tired of the Participation Trophy award which is what walk on are.

[golferdad8]

3 hours ago, LawGenius305 said:

Walk ons can choose to become a scholar athlete at another university.  Tired of the Participation Trophy award which is what walk on are.

This depends on the school.

I'm more positive on the role of walk-ons, especially if it doesn't cost the school/team any scholarship $ (esp D3 schools). 

 

As for D1's, Bob Meyers as chief architect & GM of the Warriors was a walk-on at UCLA. 

He played himself into a scholarship spot & won an NCAA Championship with the basketball team.

I don't think anyone would say that he was a Participation Trophy guy.

Similarly, Jeremy Lin was a starter at Harvard with no scholarship $, but he was offered a walk-on at Stanford and probably could have helped the team - they just didn't want to give him any money.  

[ATXGolferGuy]

10 hours ago, LawGenius305 said:

Walk ons can choose to become a scholar athlete at another university.  Tired of the Participation Trophy award which is what walk on are.

Wow, that is a very simplistic view of walk-ons and their role in college sports.  I would bet a ton of money that the vast majority of collegiate coaches in almost every sport, would tell you walk-ons are some of the hardest working and most driven members of their teams. 

 

You seem to have animosity towards anyone that is not on scholarship.  Like I said the kids on teams don't give a rip about the parity in college sports when they are being cut from their golf team (elimination of opportunities) and being told to just go play for another university.  Not everyone has that option or wants to uproot.

 

It's like Monday qualifying on Tour...you've got a couple of spots in the field available for those that aren't "on scholarship". Being a Walk-on is not like your pee wee soccer team where everyone gets a trophy, you're busting your butt to earn a spot on the team. 

 

I'd be willing to bet the final "ruling" won't look anything like what is being proposed now. All of these changes are being driven by football anyway, which should just give a giant middle finger to the NCAA and go make a new organization. 

[LawGenius305]

18 hours ago, golferdad8 said:

This depends on the school.

I'm more positive on the role of walk-ons, especially if it doesn't cost the school/team any scholarship $ (esp D3 schools). 

 

As for D1's, Bob Meyers as chief architect & GM of the Warriors was a walk-on at UCLA. 

He played himself into a scholarship spot & won an NCAA Championship with the basketball team.

I don't think anyone would say that he was a Participation Trophy guy.

Similarly, Jeremy Lin was a starter at Harvard with no scholarship $, but he was offered a walk-on at Stanford and probably could have helped the team - they just didn't want to give him any money.  

Today we are going from 85 scholarships to 105 scholarship players for football. Being a Walk on for UCLA isn't the reason Bob Meyers is now the GM of the Warriors.

 

This is the maturation of college athletics.  There is a reason there will no longer be walk ons.  NCAA in certain sports will be moving to a pay for play scheme either through the university or the conference. Everyone on the roster will get paid and they aren't going to pay non scholarship athletes.  This is what the world got when Ed O'Bannon sued the NCAA for Name Image and Likeness. 

 

I personally have no problem with no walk ons.  I don't care about Rudy or Bob Meyers.  Their story has no impact on my life.

11 hours ago, ATXGolferGuy said:

Wow, that is a very simplistic view of walk-ons and their role in college sports.  I would bet a ton of money that the vast majority of collegiate coaches in almost every sport, would tell you walk-ons are some of the hardest working and most driven members of their teams. 

 

You seem to have animosity towards anyone that is not on scholarship.  Like I said the kids on teams don't give a rip about the parity in college sports when they are being cut from their golf team (elimination of opportunities) and being told to just go play for another university.  Not everyone has that option or wants to uproot.

 

It's like Monday qualifying on Tour...you've got a couple of spots in the field available for those that aren't "on scholarship". Being a Walk-on is not like your pee wee soccer team where everyone gets a trophy, you're busting your butt to earn a spot on the team. 

 

I'd be willing to bet the final "ruling" won't look anything like what is being proposed now. All of these changes are being driven by football anyway, which should just give a giant middle finger to the NCAA and go make a new organization. 

Could care less how hard they work. I want to watch games and don't care about the walk on at the end of the bench. Participation trophy.

 

You are now assuming things.  That is the kids problem if they don't want to uproot.  

 

 

[MB19]

On 1/6/2025 at 2:07 PM, golferdad8 said:

This depends on the school.

I'm more positive on the role of walk-ons, especially if it doesn't cost the school/team any scholarship $ (esp D3 schools). 

 

As for D1's, Bob Meyers as chief architect & GM of the Warriors was a walk-on at UCLA. 

He played himself into a scholarship spot & won an NCAA Championship with the basketball team.

I don't think anyone would say that he was a Participation Trophy guy.

Similarly, Jeremy Lin was a starter at Harvard with no scholarship $, but he was offered a walk-on at Stanford and probably could have helped the team - they just didn't want to give him any money.  

Stanford not offering a scholarship to a first team CA/Palo Alto product like Lin (who had the requsite academic pedigree--4.2 GPA, perfect SAT Math score, high 700s in verbal and writing) will forever egg on the face of Trent Johnson.

 

https://www.zagsblog.com/2012/02/10/coach-says-jeremy-lin-was-misled-by-stanford-coach/

 

People can say Lin "came out of nowhere" all they want, but but being NORCAL POY and 1st Team All-State in CA isn't light work.  At the end of the day it's impossible to ignore that Lin was consistently discounted because of his race.

 

At the end of the day, it worked out for Lin and very well for Amaker--who got some well-earned redemption for the thankless work he did at Michigan post-probation--who turned the Harvard gig into so much more for himself and the school, with Lin's help in the early years.

 

This was written before Lin's rookie year started by former D1 Assistant Coach Dan Shell:

 

"

But make no mistake, once Lin secures his spot on the roster, the biggest deal of all is that he will be the first Asian-American player in the NBA since the mid 1950s, and the NBA�s first American-born player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent.

Actually it�s already a pretty big deal. As evidenced by Lin�s three-year guaranteed contract with Nike, and a jersey projected to be an NBA top-10 seller, we're witnessing a pretty rare phenomenon for an undrafted free agent from the Ivy League.

 

Yet, with all the hoopla surrounding Lin, what may be most interesting remains somewhat off the radar. When Lin signed a partially guaranteed two-year deal with the Warriors it brought his basketball career full circle, in a very ironic way.

See, while many won�t say it so bluntly, the fact that Lin was Asian-American probably cost him a Division I scholarship."

Edited January 7 by MB19

[jawsmonster]

Random comments & thoughts:

 

The new rules aren't eliminating walk-ons... they just have-to-count towards the roster limit.

 

All scholarships - for both revenue & non-revenue sports - are now considered 'equivalencies'.  (Some athletes can get a full-ride+++, some can receive particle, and others zero.)  It's the decision of the school / AD / coach.

 

Walk-ons still cost athletic departments $$$.  They aren't 'free'.  Training table, airfare, hotel, equipment, etc.

 

Walk-ons traditionally have not signed NLIs.   Moving forward walk-ons (athletes receiving zero compensation) will likely sign a contract under the new NCAA rules.  I would guess they will have to agree to zero compensation for NIL from the school.

 

No reason why a walk-on cannot negotiate a true NIL deal outside of the school / program.

 

I'm guessing the new NCAA contracts that will replace NLI will also address the transfer portal.  I imagine there will be some sort of buy-out-clause.  This will hopefully create guard-rails for portal chaos.

 

Note:  There are different types of walk-ons:

+ Some start.  Some play.

+ Some only practice.  Some NEVER practice.

+ Some travel, and some don't.

+ Some walk-ons don't earn a varsity letter.  Some do...

+ Some parents pay for walk-on spots.  Some walk-ons are recruited (aka preferred).  Some walk-ons earn the roster spot via tryout.

+ Some coaches (like Coach K) rarely used all their scholarships and rostered true walk-ons... many of which earned the spot during a tryout.  

 

The new rules making 'walk-ons' part of the roster limit curbs some of the craziness pertaining to walk-ons under the old rules.

 

Bottom Line:  If a player is good enough, he/she will earn a spot on the roster.  Compensation or lack-there-of isn't that important IMHO.

 

 

Edited January 9 by jawsmonster

[BallsBreakFast]

With roster limits (and considering possible NIL/media revenue sharing), programs will have to do more homework to identify and pursue the kids they want, their upside potential and team fit. Coaches will have much more at stake so will need to look beyond rankings and curated golf CVs, and likely try to build relationships earlier.  I also think a smart coach rather than take a punt on a questionable recruit, would rather keep a roster spot empty in case of possible transfers, JuCos (good chance they still retain 4 years of NCAA eligibility if court ruling holds up), walk-on, grad student (NCAA proposing a 5th additional year) or maybe to pursue a reclass.  I also think that given that most of the upheavel in college athletics is a result of the O'bannon lawuit and anti-trust, all athletes incl walkons will have to sign some form of agreement giving the school a use license for their NIL, in return for outright compensation, scholarship money, or in exchange for the roster spot itself (for walk-ons).

[kcap]

On 12/17/2024 at 10:40 AM, wegobomber31 said:

His agency Sportfive runs the Amex event and a number of the oppo field events (Myrtle Beach, Puerto Rico and I think ISCO) as well as the KFT Veritex. He’ll get those starts for sure. 

Playing at AMEX .  Started slow but decent good comeback on day 1.

 

what a run of 6 holes on the second round!!

 

it is awesome to watch.  Wishing him luck and I hope he makes the cut!