What does it take to get an invited walk on offer?

[Ranger Dan]

My friends have a son who is a good football player, but apparently not good enough for a P5 offer. He is a senior this year and is a two way starter for the second year in a row (OT and DT) for a 6A school that is routinely in district and PA state playoffs. He was actually supposed to start as a Sophomore, but had an injury in camp. He's also near the top of his class academically, and a great kid. He has film on max preps and huddle, but isn't listed on any recruiting service. I don't think he's done a lot of camps. He has some small school scholarship offers and is being recruited by Ivy and Patriot League schools. Both of his parents are Penn State grads, but they want him to focus on education. He wants to have the best football opportunity. Because of my relationship with this family and love for Penn State football, I would love to see him wear blue and white.

My question is, how would someone like him get an invited walk on offer? Does Penn State scout and develop a list of kids who they will eventually make walk on invitations to, or is it up to the player (or his coach/parent) to make the connection?

 

[ga.lion]

My friends have a son who is a good football player, but apparently not good enough for a P5 offer. He is a senior this year and is a two way starter for the second year in a row (OT and DT) for a 6A school that is routinely in district and PA state playoffs. He was actually supposed to start as a Sophomore, but had an injury in camp. He's also near the top of his class academically, and a great kid. He has film on max preps and huddle, but isn't listed on any recruiting service. I don't think he's done a lot of camps. He has some small school scholarship offers and is being recruited by Ivy and Patriot League schools. Both of his parents are Penn State grads, but they want him to focus on education. He wants to have the best football opportunity. Because of my relationship with this family and love for Penn State football, I would love to see him wear blue and white.

My question is, how would someone like him get an invited walk on offer? Does Penn State scout and develop a list of kids who they will eventually make walk on invitations to, or is it up to the player (or his coach/parent) to make the connection?

Have his coach send Penn State some film and obviously camping at the school can open doors. Good luck to him.

 

[BisbeeMike]

It helps to camp at PSU in the summer, at least it did back in the early 80's. Now, I don't really know the parameters. If they have some tape on you, that's also helpful.

 

[Ranger Dan]

Yeah, i know that camps are the way to get yourself noticed. He's a Sr. now so that is no longer an option. I'm certainly not in a position to interject myself into the process, but I do hope that I could someday see him fulfill his athletic dreams and get a great education.

 

[jrd23psu]

I believe they used to have walk-on tryouts. I remember my roommate in college trying out as a kicker, but this was like 17 years ago. I have no idea if that's still a thing. His coach can probably send tapes to whoever the recruiting coordinator is at PSU. I imagine all tapes sent in are screened by someone and if they think it warrants it they pass it along.

 

[LafayetteBear]

Do you know, or have a connection to, any current coaches or former players? I don't know how it works at PSU, but I suspect that it is like Cal. Sons and grandsons of former players, players recommended by influential local high school coaches, and other players with some kind of "in" get these offers. The fact that this kid has a good GPA is very helpful, because they need these kids to help bring up the team's average GPA. It works that way everywhere, except perhaps the Ivies.

 

[Ranger Dan]

No, I don't know any current or former players, nor have connections to any influential coaches. There is one 3 star kid on his team, so I guess someone at penn state would have watched game film with him in it.

 

[bison13]

Yes they are in contact with kids who are interested in being a 'run-on'. Send the HUDL film and transcript, a GA will probably look at it and could have someone take a look based on what they see. If he goes to the main campus they do still have try outs as well, just pay attention to social media to find the dates.

 

[dwiz]

They do have run on tryouts like the week before the first game, but by then he'd have to be enrolled and attending school. He'd miss out on playing football elsewhere without a transfer.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

What does it take to get an invited walk on offer?

There is no simple answer to this. Several things go into the process.

At this point, since the kid is a senior and it does not appear that he's been on PSU's radar from PSU camps, Rivals camps, etc., it's on the kid, his parents, and his high school coach to try to promote him. After that it's up to PSU.

The first step is to complete the on-line questionnaire for PSU football. That can be done at THIS LINK.

Beyond that, the kid or his parents, could contact the PSU Recruiting Coordinator. They should explain his situation -- that's he's seeking to be a PWO, that his parents are PSU alums, etc. It should take about 30 seconds for them to find the e-mail address of the PSU Recruiting Coordinator. (Sorry if it seems I'm being difficult; I don't like giving out e-mail addresses.)

The high school coach could also contact the PSU Recruiting Coordinator and also make a case for the kid.

Beyond that, if the high school coach has any connections at PSU, or if the kid, his parents, or the high school coach know a former player, they should try to get their connection or the former player to put in a word for the kid.

I believe they used to have walk-on tryouts.

There are preferred walk-ons (PWO), and then walk-on tryouts. There is a limit as to how many players can be in preseason camp. PSU has to manage the number of PWOs they offer/take so that number of scholarship players and PWOs do not exceed the roster limit for preseason camp.

Walk-on tryouts take place at the end of preseason camp. Basically, the number of players allowed on the roster is higher during the season than during preseason, so teams have the ability to add walk-ons. It's difficult to make the team as a walk-on, but it's possible. Often the decision is a combination how well the kid does at the tryout, what position he plays, what the team's needs are at that position, and what the roster numbers look like.

Unlike walk-ons, PWO's do not have to tryout. They are basically given an invite to preseason practice. Whether they stay on the team in future years depends on how they do in practice, and whether they want to stay with the program if their potential for seeing actual game time is pretty limited. PSU is rather honest with the PWOs and the walkons.

Good luck to the kid.

 

[BTMurphy]

Summer camps were the difference for my nephew. He spent a lot of time attending numerous camps between his junior/senior seasons, including Penn State's. The process for coaches offering schollies or preferred walk on's is the same, usually determined by the space and/or needs of their school (and of course, how badly the coach wants him).

As an example, in his case, he was offered multiple "lesser" D1 schollies (Connecticut, Temple, Pitt, and a slew of Mac and patriot league schools). Penn State, with Mccreary as his lead recruiter, ended up offering a preferred walk on after deciding Kevin Newsome was their guy. He desperately wanted to go there, but felt he needed the security of a definite scholarship. Oh well.... he regrets it to this day.

Anyway, those camps are the key for getting noticed... coaches love to see you in person

 

[58psu77]

With all due respect to my PSU degree, if he hasn't made the P5 lists he should rally focus on those Ivy offers you mentioned.

 

[58psu77]

With all due respect to my PSU degree, if he hasn't made the P5 lists he should really focus on those Ivy interests you mentioned.

 

[Woodpecker]

Tell him to go to Princeton

 

[BisbeeMike]

I would imagine the parameters for getting a preferred walk on offer from any D1 program in 2017, are far different than they were a generation ago. The game has changed a great deal in many different ways. I wouldn't pretend to offer any advice, however, because bad advice to a 17 year old is just about one of the worst things you can give. I was given bad advice at 17 and it diverted my life in the wrong direction in dangerous and difficult ways, for the next 3 years.

Give him all the information he needs, do NOT push him to hurry a decision, allow him as much time as he needs, allow him to enjoy his summer off, do NOT force him to enroll a week after he graduates high school(what happened to me), and whatever he wants to do, let him do it, whether that is dreaming big at PSU, or heading to a D2 or D3 school, or living the Ivy life, or working at a gas station. Let him do what he wants.

 

[BUFFALO LION]

Tell him to go to Princeton

If he has an offer from Princeton, he should jump on it. One of the two or three most beautiful campuses in the Ivy League (I rank it and Dartmouth tied at the top), and one of the big three academically with Harvard and Yale.

Overall, for just the campus atmosphere alone, I would take Princeton over either Harvard or Yale. In all honesty, I think Yale's campus and where it is located is a complete dump. At least Harvard has its easily accessible Boston culture and close by other Universities (higher stable of eligible chicks looking for social status) going for it. : ^ )

 

[sluggo72]

If he has an offer from Princeton, he should jump on it. One of the two or three most beautiful campuses in the Ivy League (I rank it and Dartmouth tied at the top), and one of the big three academically with Harvard and Yale.

Overall, for just the campus atmosphere alone, I would take Princeton over either Harvard or Yale. In all honesty, I think Yale's campus and where it is located is a complete dump. At least Harvard has its easily accessible Boston culture and close by other Universities (higher stable of eligible chicks looking for social status) going for it. : ^ )

I agree if he doesn't have an offer from PSU, I'd tell him to go to the Ivy's if he can or a layette Lehigh or Davidson would love him. Don't forget a place like Davidson aid is based on financial need. So if you show a 100% need, you have a full go. Plus the aid is in the form of a scholarship not a loan, so there is no payback!! Plus they have an on campus laundry which is part of the tutition so he won't have to worry about that!!!

 

[marshall23]

For some perspective think about this: prior to 1972 there were no scholarship limits. Schools like Alabama, perhaps even PSU could stockpile talent and keep all they could afford. I think in that year they went to 105 and 95 around 1978. In the 90's the current 85 came into play. A kid that might have been a D1 scholarship player at a P5 school but 86-120 in talent is going elsewhere. That's why a non P5 school can upset a P5 or even a bowl championship squad can upset a Michigan on occasion.
There is some incredible D3 talent around the country. A great football player who runs a 4.8 instead of a 4.6, an OL or DT who is 6ft instead of 6'3".
Unless this young man doesn't care if he rides the pines(and gets the hell beat out of him on the scout team) and has measurables (over 6-2, 260+, BP of +350, squat +475 etc. and the genetics for growth potential) I would encourage him to pursue the Ivy League experience.

 

[Ranger Dan]

To clarify, he does not have scholarship offers from Ivy League teams. They technically don't give athletic scholarships, but I think that they find academic or other scholarships to get kids there. While he has been invited to recruiting weekends at multiple Ivy League schools, I don't think there has been any "offers" per se. I'm told that he has two scholarship offers, and I would say that these schools are significantly below his academic potential. Supposedly there are a handful of schools that said they would give him a second look if they sent tape from the first 4 or 5 games of his senior season. I mentioned walking on to Penn State and his mom said that this would be his dream. It's amazing what the apparent gap is between a good high school player and a P5 type player.

 

[Sproul]

Send the tape to pitt.

 

[Ranger Dan]

Send the tape to pitt.

I wouldn't do that to a kid that I like and admire...

 

[Art]

To clarify, he does not have scholarship offers from Ivy League teams. They technically don't give athletic scholarships, but I think that they find academic or other scholarships to get kids there. While he has been invited to recruiting weekends at multiple Ivy League schools, I don't think there has been any "offers" per se. I'm told that he has two scholarship offers, and I would say that these schools are significantly below his academic potential. Supposedly there are a handful of schools that said they would give him a second look if they sent tape from the first 4 or 5 games of his senior season. I mentioned walking on to Penn State and his mom said that this would be his dream. It's amazing what the apparent gap is between a good high school player and a P5 type player.

Just to clarify regarding the Ive League. Most, if not all, scholarships are based on financial need. Each school has its own definition and some are quite generous.There are no academic scholarships.. A few have endowed scholarships that have an academic component, but these are few and far between and tend to be very competitive.

Ivies also don't make offers. Coaches can and will say various things, but they amount to nothing until the prospect gets what is called a "likely letter" (meaning that he or she is likely to be admitted) from the admissions office. The process for generating these is still in full swing, though kids who are high on the priority list and have the requisite academic credentials have received theirs.

 

[rohrmd9]

I believe they used to have walk-on tryouts. I remember my roommate in college trying out as a kicker, but this was like 17 years ago. I have no idea if that's still a thing. His coach can probably send tapes to whoever the recruiting coordinator is at PSU. I imagine all tapes sent in are screened by someone and if they think it warrants it they pass it along.

Pretty sure they still do.

 

[Ski]

Just to clarify regarding the Ive League. Most, if not all, scholarships are based on financial need. Each school has its own definition and some are quite generous.There are no academic scholarships.. A few have endowed scholarships that have an academic component, but these are few and far between and tend to be very competitive.

Ivies also don't make offers. Coaches can and will say various things, but they amount to nothing until the prospect gets what is called a "likely letter" (meaning that he or she is likely to be admitted) from the admissions office. The process for generating these is still in full swing, though kids who are high on the priority list and have the requisite academic credentials have received theirs.

Art, since you know much more about this than I ever will, do Ivy League football coaches have any clout when it comes to their school's admissions processes -- that is, does athletic skill give a prospective student at these institutions an intangible that gets him admitted where academics and other factors alone would not do it? I imagine the answer is dependent on the institution involved, but I wonder if you had any insight on the general attitude of the Ivies when it comes to athletics and admissions. Thanks.

 

[Art]

Art, since you know much more about this than I ever will, do Ivy League football coaches have any clout when it comes to their school's admissions processes -- that is, does athletic skill give a prospective student at these institutions an intangible that gets him admitted where academics and other factors alone would not do it? I imagine the answer is dependent on the institution involved, but I wonder if you had any insight on the general attitude of the Ivies when it comes to athletics and admissions. Thanks.

Some, but not a whole lot.

Admissions to Ivies is guided by something called the Academic Index. The Index is comprised of three parts: 1) Class rank/GPA; 2) SAT I scores; 3) SAT II scores. A perfect index score is 240, 80 points per part.

Each school calculates it's average Index for all non-athletes offered admission and a League average is computed The minimum score per athlete cannot be below one standard deviation from the League average. In recent years this has hovered between 171-176.

Then the fun begins. For each team, the average of all prospects cannot be less than one standard deviation from the school's average. Prospects who are above the average should have no problem. Prospects within the one standard deviation band are generally in good shape. Chances diminish for those in the standard deviation bands below.

Exceptions can be made for prospective athletes whose Index score is below the permissible League minimum. Needless to say, the bases for these exceptions is nebulous. Let's put it simply: the exception better project as All-Ivy.

Final decisions are made by the admissions offices. Coaches can fiddle a bit. But for each exception a coach wants to bring in, and more than one or two ain't happening, there have to be one or more that are well above the school average to compensate.

 

[emrtmakesshiteup]

Do the coaches still teach PE? When I took Coaching Football sandusky taught it. We did all kinds of drills and he wanted to know what term I was. I essentially was a senior and it ended there. It kind of freaks me out as to what he really wanted!

 

[Ranger Dan]

To follow up, my friends’ son made 2nd team all state in 6A and will be playing football for Johns Hopkins. It would have been cool to see him at Penn State, but JHU should provide a great opportunity for his education.

 

[81b&w]

Tell him to watch Rudy, except that ND is evil

 

[indoorgolf]

My friends have a son who is a good football player, but apparently not good enough for a P5 offer. He is a senior this year and is a two way starter for the second year in a row (OT and DT) for a 6A school that is routinely in district and PA state playoffs. He was actually supposed to start as a Sophomore, but had an injury in camp. He's also near the top of his class academically, and a great kid. He has film on max preps and huddle, but isn't listed on any recruiting service. I don't think he's done a lot of camps. He has some small school scholarship offers and is being recruited by Ivy and Patriot League schools. Both of his parents are Penn State grads, but they want him to focus on education. He wants to have the best football opportunity. Because of my relationship with this family and love for Penn State football, I would love to see him wear blue and white.

My question is, how would someone like him get an invited walk on offer? Does Penn State scout and develop a list of kids who they will eventually make walk on invitations to, or is it up to the player (or his coach/parent) to make the connection?

Go to the Ivy League school get a great degree play some football, have a good life. Forget the walk-on.

 

[psuro]

To follow up, my friends’ son made 2nd team all state in 6A and will be playing football for Johns Hopkins. It would have been cool to see him at Penn State, but JHU should provide a great opportunity for his education.

He is better off there than trying to walk on at PSU. Good luck to him. Sounds like a great kid.

 

[Rollin Stone]

Do the coaches still teach PE? When I took Coaching Football sandusky taught it. We did all kinds of drills and he wanted to know what term I was. I essentially was a senior and it ended there. It kind of freaks me out as to what he really wanted!

They do not. Sandusky was the last coach that taught that was still coaching which is why he had tenure. Dick Anderson taught but when he left to go to Rutgers he was no longer tenured.

The coaches stopped teaching in the 70’s