Another View of Cormani McClain's Walk on Status

[Jeff from Jax]

The NCAA is considering eliminating walk-ons due to roster limitations.

Multiple programs have twisted the NCAA's rules by paying for scholarships for walk-ons through NIL, which helps the program avoid the scholarship limit. This is something we saw recently with new Florida Gators cornerback Cormani McClain.

https://athlonsports.com/college-fo...on-big-ten-elimination-key-roster-awful-thing

While there continues to be heated debate over the football roster figure, a plan socialized with administrators, as well as coaching staffs, entails a reduction in the 120-person football roster by as many as 35 spots. The concept would eliminate all walk-on positions at most power schools, though programs are not required to provide scholarships to the NCAA maximum of 85 players.

https://sports.yahoo.com/could-a-ne...-the-end-for-football-walk-ons-170937165.html

What’s The Difference Between A Walk-On And A Preferred Walk-On?​

Preferred walk-ons arrive to college with a roster spot guaranteed for them. Walk-ons, however, arrive to college without a guaranteed roster spot. Neither preferred walk-ons nor walk-ons receive a scholarship their first year on campus. They both have the opportunity to compete for them in later years, but preferred walk-ons are often first in line for available scholarships.

Preferred Walk-On: These recruits are guaranteed a spot on the roster by the college’s coach. The coach wants the recruit on their team, but didn’t have a scholarship available for them. While they do not receive any financial assistance, they receive the same attention from the coaching staff and benefits (?) that the scholarship athletes do. This means that they need to continue to treat every practice as if it were a tryout so that they can keep their place on the team and compete for future scholarships and playing time.

It's a Common Path - an average Division 1 college football program has a roster of 118 athletes. However, they are generally under a scholarship limit of 85. This means that the average Division 1 college football program has 33 walk-ons on the roster at any given moment. Multiply this by the 130 programs in the country and you’ll realize there are roughly 4,000 walk-ons in D1 college football. Being a college walk-on, while not as glitzy as signing a scholarship, is a time-proven and respected path.

https://www.recruitref.com/blog/whats-the-difference-between-a-walk-on-and-a-preferred-walk-on

 

[SeaPA]

They need to do something, the ability to funnel $ to pay tuition makes the scholarship limit meaningless.
Not sure what the answer is. I hate to see walk-ons eliminated, there have been some great stories and great players through the years.
Maybe a limit on how many can dress out or be on the sideline on gameday?? Quality players aren't likely to go somewhere as an NIL walk-on if they aren't gonna dress or get to feel like part of the team on gameday.