The University of Nebraska long has had a storied tradition of winning. Since 1969, the program has won at least nine games a season. The Cornhuskers opened a record run of 39 winning seasons — including last fall — in 1962.
One of the reasons the Cornhuskers have been so good — so consistent — for so long, is their unique walk-on system. Each year, the coaching staff recruits players from the state to come to the university, not offering scholarships, but instead offering the chance to suit up for the legendary Big 12 program.
"When you're growing up in the state of Nebraska, the only (Division I) college team you can root for in the area is the University of Nebraska," said Brian Washington, a defensive graduate assistant for the Cornhuskers. "For some, it would be a dream come true to be part of this program.
"We happen to have a lot of guys who would do anything to be part of the Nebraska program. It so happens that these guys are very talented football players. "They would rather walk on here than go play at a Division II or Division III school."
The majority of Nebraska's walk-on players don't just show up and ask for a jersey — most are recruited to walk on, and some even sign a letter of intent to play with the Cornhuskers. That, coupled with the 30 to 35 freshmen that show up in the summer, makes for an expansive program with many players eager to shine in the red and white.
One of Nebraska's best known recent walk-ons is Joel Makovicka, who played extensively for the NFL's Arizona Cardinals in 1999 and 2000, starting the majority of games at fullback. Makovicka wanted to be a Cornhusker, regardless of offers from other schools.
Makovicka followed his brother, Jeff, in becoming a Cornhusker. Jeff made the team as a walk-on in 1992, and, partially because of his success, the younger sibling Joel received offers from Division I schools. Still, Joel said he wanted to become a Cornhusker. He walked on, and earned a scholarship after 1995, his first year with the team.
"There was always this feeling when you're growing up in Nebraska that if you played good football and would always compete, you would get the chance to play in front of all those people in Lincoln," Makovicka said in a teleconference call from Tempe, Ariz.
That is what makes the walk-on program so appealing, according to Washington.
"With the knowledge of our coaching staff, if you're fortunate enough to get some playing time as a walk-on, you have a very excellent chance at earning a scholarship," he said.
"We usually take 25 who might see action in the games, but some years we've had anywhere from 50 to 75 who see action on the scout team and help out in practice."
Perhaps the greatest advantage of the walk-on program is not simply landing players like the Makovickas, who turn out to be stars. The dozens of other walk-ons often make terrific scout team players and help make practices spirited.
