Do walk-ons still exist in college sports?

[Anonymous]

30 years ago, my DH walked on to the lacrosse team at a NESCAC. Is that still a thing, or are all athletes recruited these days?

[Anonymous]

A friend's son walked on for baseball at a DIII school. He had gotten in touch with the coach later in the game and the team was "full" initially.

[Anonymous]

I know a kid who walked onto a D1 college baseball team as a pitcher. Seems like college teams have a gazillion pitchers so I guess if you can throw 90...why not add one more.

Not sure the kid will ever play in a game or really just like a "practice squad" kind of add.

[Anonymous]

Yep

[Anonymous]

My suspicion is that at a NESCAC, probably not. Those guys are all DI caliber athletes who chose to attend those schools. Probably more likely at other DIII schools.

[Anonymous]

Yes, they still exist.

[Anonymous]

Recruit- guaranteed spot

Preferred walk on-late applicant missed their teams "guaranteed spots"

Walk on-long shot, but in most cases if you have the game, they'll find a spot for you

Hope that helps!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My suspicion is that at a NESCAC, probably not. Those guys are all DI caliber athletes who chose to attend those schools. Probably more likely at other DIII schools.

That's not really true. Many were hoping to get recruited by an Ivy, but are fine attending and playing for a NESCAC.

[Anonymous]

Yes. DC was offered walk-on spots by several coaches when choosing their college, in more than one sport. Let the coaches know when choosing a school. Don’t expect to be a starter though.

[Anonymous]

In D3 it depends on the sport. In D1 most "walk ons" are the recruited kids for whom there wasn't scholarship money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. DC was offered walk-on spots by several coaches when choosing their college, in more than one sport. Let the coaches know when choosing a school. Don’t expect to be a starter though.

My DC was offered a walk on spot at an Ivy IF he was accepted at the school. But the coach wasn't going to use a chit on him. DC didn't get in.

[Anonymous]

What is a walk on exactly?
I’d never heard this phrase until last night when I watched a football movie with DD. It was a true story about Brandon Bowlsworth and how he played for Arkansas as a walk on initially. I understand he didn’t have a scholarship birth does it mean? Can anyone just join the team?
It’s funny how I never heard it now it’s here on dcum. lol. I didn’t go to school here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. DC was offered walk-on spots by several coaches when choosing their college, in more than one sport. Let the coaches know when choosing a school. Don’t expect to be a starter though.

At least not right away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Recruit- guaranteed spot

Preferred walk on-late applicant missed their teams "guaranteed spots"

Walk on-long shot, but in most cases if you have the game, they'll find a spot for you

Hope that helps!

Unfortunately there is no guaranteed spot even for recruited athletes at DIII. My son is in the process as a baseball player and we are hearing about how many of the schools he is interested in over recruit and then cut in Freshman year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is a walk on exactly?
I’d never heard this phrase until last night when I watched a football movie with DD. It was a true story about Brandon Bowlsworth and how he played for Arkansas as a walk on initially. I understand he didn’t have a scholarship birth does it mean? Can anyone just join the team?
It’s funny how I never heard it now it’s here on dcum. lol. I didn’t go to school here.

Means you weren’t officially recruited and admitted as an athlete but you gain admission on your own, tryout and make the team. Football teams have practice squads so you can walk onto the team, but not a scholarship position (ie you don’t dress for games).

Football is unique that nearly 100% of the players that dress get scholarships. Sounds like he moved from the practice squad to the actual team.