I'm not claiming to be in the know because I am drawing my own conclusions on this, but we as Nebraska fans have this idea in our head that walk ons come in and work harder than every scholarship player for their chance to suit up and see the field on Saturdays. There's this notion it means more to them than the others, but does it really? This is a fairytale story we all like to believe, but I dont think that has been the case in many years.
Nebraska would never have had the "walk on" tradition as we know it if it was not for the culture that was instilled during that time period. The walk on program did not make Nebraska good. Nebraska's success and culture made the Walk on program good. The reason we had kids who became success stories that began their careers as walk ons was because the culture and attitude in the program allowed and contributed to it happening. The kids wanted so bad to be a part of something special.
Not saying we cant still have those success stories as we have, especially this past season, added some very nice walk on prospects, but the culture around the program is not in a place conclusive to that happening. These kids grew up watching Taylor Martinez's Huskers not the Huskers chasing National Championships.
In sum- a winning, championship culture is what will bring us success. A successful walk on program just happens to be a byproduct of that happening.
Nebraska would never have had the "walk on" tradition as we know it if it was not for the culture that was instilled during that time period. The walk on program did not make Nebraska good. Nebraska's success and culture made the Walk on program good. The reason we had kids who became success stories that began their careers as walk ons was because the culture and attitude in the program allowed and contributed to it happening. The kids wanted so bad to be a part of something special.
Not saying we cant still have those success stories as we have, especially this past season, added some very nice walk on prospects, but the culture around the program is not in a place conclusive to that happening. These kids grew up watching Taylor Martinez's Huskers not the Huskers chasing National Championships.
In sum- a winning, championship culture is what will bring us success. A successful walk on program just happens to be a byproduct of that happening.
