Brandon Gearing In-Depth
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Transcript of Brandon Gearing In-Depth
Walk-On Football Players in the NCAABy: Brandon Gearing
The Daily Grind
Photo Credit: Ben Chapman
Photo Credit: Ben Chapman
No Rest for The Weary 7 a.m. Lift
9 a.m. First Class
11 a.m. Second Class
12 p.m. Lunch
2 p.m. Last Class
3 p.m. Practice
6:30 p.m. Homework
8:30 p.m. Dinner
11:30 p.m. Bed
Photo Credit: Ben Chapman
A decorated recruit?6-foot-3, 255 poundsAll-State football playerMember of the
Connecticut All-Star football team
Two-time Stonington High School defensive MVP
Recruited to play at Boston College and Vanderbilt University
Photo Credit: stoningtonctfootball.vnsports.com
Nothing To Show For ItNo scholarshipNo playing timeNo freebees Still happy?
Photo Credit: UConnHuskies.com
By the Numbers…20 of 105
852
“They’re vital to our success as a program. They help us in practice and keep our guys fresh.” – Edsall
A UConn Success
Story•Marcus Easley, 2010 UConn Graduate
•Currently with the Buffalo Bills
•Only second player ever drafted out of UConn
Photo Credit: AP
National Success•Walk-on at Kansas State in 2003•All-American by his senior season in 2007•Most prolific season by a receiver in team history•Now with the Green Bay Packers
Photo Credit: AP
“Necessary Depth”Walk-ons used mostly on the scout teamHelp to prepare starters for competition each
weekKeep the starters freshEmulate the other team’s offense and defenseStudy film, learn plays/playing styles
A lot to know“I know almost the entire offensive playbook
of every team in the Big East.” – Chapman
Trinity CollegeHead coach Jeffrey DevanneyRoster limit = no walk-onsNortheast Suburban Athletic Conference
(NSAC)No scholarshipsNo depth
Photo Credit: athletics.trincoll.edu
“We risk injuring guys that we need out there on the field during games. We’re definitely cautious with some players, especially at positions where we don’t have quality depth.” - Devanney
Southern Connecticut State UniversityHead Coach Rick
Cavanaugh Not the same roster
limitations as TrinityUses walk-ons for
scout team but gives them a fair chance to start
More players trying to walk on at a Division 2 school Photo Credit: southernctowls.com
“They have just as good a chance as anyone else to earn a spot on the field. We have less scholarship guys than a school like UConn, so it’s easier to allow ourselves to see what [a walk-on] can do.” - Cavanaugh
Why bother?At a Division I school with little to no chance
that you’ll playWhen you pay for school but still do the same
work as your teammatesWhen you have to pay to eat in the team
dining hallWhen you aren’t taken to road gamesWhen no one but your closest friends even
knows that you’re on the team
“It’s an experience that tens of thousands of high school football players would love to have.” - Chapman
This is whyChapman, left, is
celebrating UConn’s victory in the International Bowl in Toronto, Canada in 2009
UConn won 38-20 over the University of Buffalo
Photo Credit: Ben Chapman
“I just love the game. To me, just being on the sideline, working with players that talented, experiencing Big East football games, being a member of a Division I football team that wins bowl games – it’s awesome.” - Chapman
The End