milehighbob
Banned
Exactly, but Nebraska did not have top 5 classes year in and out with Tom, but his system and the culture pushed Nebraska over the top.
Tangent Thread - Walk-Ons Addition
- Thread starter ActualCornHusker
- Start date
SouthLincoln Husker
All-American
In fact, the rating system was not part of college football when Tom was a head coach.
WyoHusker56
Starter
Hunter Renfrow was a little important on a couple of those teams and he was a walk-on with his best offer out of HS being Appalachian State.
LumberJackSker
All-American
How many other walk ons started at clemson? Nobody is saying walkons are bad or a very small percentage of them can develop into players that can make a difference.
WyoHusker56
Starter
I was responding to a comment that said there was "nothing but 4 and 5 star" kids on the championship teams. We are also discussing the merits of walk ons and I was pointing out that Clemson had a walk on turn into a major contributor. I wasn't contending we need lots of walk ons starting.
Danny Bateman
Heisman Trophy Winner
Tbh right now NU needs both - they need to bust their butts recruiting the absolute best talent we can attract to campus (and hopefully have them not bust) AND need hard-working, determined walk ons that can bubble up and crack the starting lineup to make a difference. We simply don't have the recruiting advantages to pass on the latter.
That said, welcome aboard Matt!
That said, welcome aboard Matt!
I never paid too much attention to recruiting service rankings. But I now think there is something to it. Wisconsin’s three-star players were no match against OSU’s four and fives. Those big-time Badger running backs can’t do anything against that talented OSU DL. I said I trust Frost in his recruiting evaluations. We may not need to achieve top-five recruiting classes to succeed at the highest level. But I’m thinking average classes within the top 15. Can we achieve that? Time will tell.
Huskers93-97
All-American
Couldn’t agree more. I would venture to say we had tons of 4 and 5 star talent in the 90s. They just didn’t have the ratings like we did today. Does anyone think Frazier, Ahman, philips, wistrom and the other like 40 players off the 95 team who got drafted were 3 star players? No
BigRedBuster
International Man of Mystery
This discussion is frustrating.
Yes, there are fans who every time there's a walk-on that starts, they rant and rave about how bad things must be if a "walk-on is starting". Like, it's some disgusting situation and complete failure of the program. I remember having discussions on here when Spencer Long was starting with people claiming we suck because we have walk-ons starting on the O line. Well.....really? Our O line might not have been great, but he was the best O lineman probably on that line. The issue wasn't him.
The issue is that the walk-on program is a great way for us to cycle through a lot of kids that previously wouldn't have a chance to play at UNL. Every once in a while, they find a diamond in the rough that contributes and some even play professionally. What is wrong with this? Why do people get upset about it?
Now, going to the other extreme, if you have nothing but walk-ons, you aren't going to have a very good team because the averages aren't there that enough of them are going to be good players.
This entire walk-on discussion gets old.
Yes, there are fans who every time there's a walk-on that starts, they rant and rave about how bad things must be if a "walk-on is starting". Like, it's some disgusting situation and complete failure of the program. I remember having discussions on here when Spencer Long was starting with people claiming we suck because we have walk-ons starting on the O line. Well.....really? Our O line might not have been great, but he was the best O lineman probably on that line. The issue wasn't him.
The issue is that the walk-on program is a great way for us to cycle through a lot of kids that previously wouldn't have a chance to play at UNL. Every once in a while, they find a diamond in the rough that contributes and some even play professionally. What is wrong with this? Why do people get upset about it?
Now, going to the other extreme, if you have nothing but walk-ons, you aren't going to have a very good team because the averages aren't there that enough of them are going to be good players.
This entire walk-on discussion gets old.
Huskers93-97
All-American
Your missing the point. Yes we all know we have had walk ons contribute in our history. Your not alone in knowing that. The point is the majority of the team was made up of what you would call 4 and 5 star talent.
The question is- can Frost get us back to recruiting at that level. Top 10-15 level. With walk on contributors to fill in the gaps of the high rated guys who bust or get beat out.
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BigRedBuster
International Man of Mystery
Yes, just because we have a good/productive walk-on program that contributes a player or two a year to the team, doesn't mean recruiting 4* and 5* players becomes less important.
We need both.
Back to this kid. It will be interesting to see what happens. Chances are he won't become a great WR for us. Just because you have speed doesn't mean you're a football player. BUT...if he can develop.....oooo....that could be fun.
I’m telling you that you are wrong. Those teams were not 4/5 star made. Were there 5 stars certainly 1 or 2. 4 stars? Yes. But I will Bet you a majority of starters on those teams would be 3 stars on down. I’m not disagreeing we need 4 stars. We need 4 stars who are studs though.
