Link: 2016 WR Mac Hereford Accepts Preferred Walk-On Spot At 'Bama

KrAzY3

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Since Saban arrived and had a couple of recruiting classes under his belt, I can only think of one non-specialist walk-on with a large role - Will Lowery. Am I forgetting someone?
I suppose you mean large on field role, which means you placed two qualifiers. I don't feel the need, a large contributor is a large contributor, on field or off, on special teams or off.

Clearly, even Nick Saban's 5 star loaded teams have had huge contributions from walk-ons. Carson Tinker alone being a big one. Nysewander has already been mentioned along with Lowery. There are and have been others on the verge, we've seen walk-on running backs getting carries, we saw a receiver last year factor into the depth chart and no doubt would have risen in importance if anyone else got hurt, and if Luke Del Rio had stuck around he might have had some meaningful playing time by now. But walk-ons are a vital part of the team as a whole and sometimes it seems like people scoff at them. I don't care how highly he was ranked, I care that he wants to contribute to the team and Nick Saban wants him to be a part of it. Nick Saban has ended up handing out multiple scholarships to walk-ons as well, so I suppose we all know how he feels about them in terms of importance.
 
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Tideflyer

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I suppose you mean large on field role, which means you placed two qualifiers. I don't feel the need, a large contributor is a large contributor, on field or off, on special teams or off.

Clearly, even Nick Saban's 5 star loaded teams have had huge contributions from walk-ons. Carson Tinker alone being a big one. Nysewander has already been mentioned along with Lowery. There are and have been others on the verge, we've seen walk-on running backs getting carries, we saw a receiver last year factor into the depth chart and no doubt would have risen in importance if anyone else got hurt, and if Luke Del Rio had stuck around he might have had some meaningful playing time by now. But walk-ons are a vital part of the team as a whole and sometimes it seems like people scoff at them. I don't care how highly he was ranked, I care that he wants to contribute to the team and Nick Saban wants him to be a part of it. Nick Saban has ended up handing out multiple scholarships to walk-ons as well, so I suppose we all know how he feels about them in terms of importance.
`nuff said. Agree 100%
 

RTR91

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I suppose you mean large on field role, which means you placed two qualifiers. I don't feel the need, a large contributor is a large contributor, on field or off, on special teams or off.

Clearly, even Nick Saban's 5 star loaded teams have had huge contributions from walk-ons. Carson Tinker alone being a big one. Nysewander has already been mentioned along with Lowery. There are and have been others on the verge, we've seen walk-on running backs getting carries, we saw a receiver last year factor into the depth chart and no doubt would have risen in importance if anyone else got hurt, and if Luke Del Rio had stuck around he might have had some meaningful playing time by now. But walk-ons are a vital part of the team as a whole and sometimes it seems like people scoff at them. I don't care how highly he was ranked, I care that he wants to contribute to the team and Nick Saban wants him to be a part of it. Nick Saban has ended up handing out multiple scholarships to walk-ons as well, so I suppose we all know how he feels about them in terms of importance.
Of course, I mean on the field role. Reason I had those qualifiers?

Will Lowery was on campus at a time when Bama had serious depth issues, which allowed him to play.

Carson and Nysewander are the only two guys not kicking the ball that walked-on the team and became household names (maybe not household, but you understand the recognition I mean).

I'm not in anyway trying to diminish the importance of walk-on players. Greatly understand the need for them. Just saying since Saban has been able to really recruit his guys (probably 2009 class forward) walk-on players haven't seen the playing time like they previously might.

You are correct in that Alabama provided a scholarship to Parker Barrineau, and you point out the big factor in his playing time last season - depth. In order to really contribute, Bama needed numerous WRs get injured.

Please understand I'm not trying to say walk-on's are useless or anything like that. I know they are very important. Just don't get the hyperbole so many (sure I've done it at times, too) like to use with each walk-on: "If he works hard, he'll see the field. I like his grit." The walk-on players Bama tends to play are the ones that have been in the program for years and have more playbook smarts than the more talented freshmen that are taking a redshirt.

Was nick gentry always on scholarship?
Yep. Was recruited by Shula.
 

TiderJack

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Of course, I mean on the field role. Reason I had those qualifiers?

Will Lowery was on campus at a time when Bama had serious depth issues, which allowed him to play.

Carson and Nysewander are the only two guys not kicking the ball that walked-on the team and became household names (maybe not household, but you understand the recognition I mean).

I'm not in anyway trying to diminish the importance of walk-on players. Greatly understand the need for them. Just saying since Saban has been able to really recruit his guys (probably 2009 class forward) walk-on players haven't seen the playing time like they previously might.

You are correct in that Alabama provided a scholarship to Parker Barrineau, and you point out the big factor in his playing time last season - depth. In order to really contribute, Bama needed numerous WRs get injured.

Please understand I'm not trying to say walk-on's are useless or anything like that. I know they are very important. Just don't get the hyperbole so many (sure I've done it at times, too) like to use with each walk-on: "If he works hard, he'll see the field. I like his grit." The walk-on players Bama tends to play are the ones that have been in the program for years and have more playbook smarts than the more talented freshmen that are taking a redshirt.



Yep. Was recruited by Shula.
Good and accurate post.
 

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