Expert: Vic Winnek - 1/19/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello my name is Mitch I recently moved back home while working out with some friends at the local high school we made a bet to see I still have what it takes to play  football my 40 was 4.43 vert 42'1/2 bench was 225 12 times my height is 6'1 weight is 230 i was amazed i just i couldnt believe that after 3 years I still could do  most of the stuff i did in high school my question is I have been looking at some colleges to go to so i can further my education i was wondering do you think i should try to walk-on at a college or beacuse of my age it is to late? Schools considering are Indiana,Duke, and the University of Illinois and out of all these schools which do think would offer me the best chance to walk on>?

ANSWER: Mitch
If you have the desire to walk on and "try" you should go for it, but if it is only to win a bet the likelihood of you succeeding is not great.

With respect to your age, I can't answer that as you did not indicate how old you are.  please know that there have been college walk-ons to Div. 1-AA, Div. II and Div. III teams who were in their 30's, 40's and I believe there was a D-III player who was in his early 50s (don't have the verified info at my finger tips on that one.)  So it is not too late, unless you have no eligibility left, but that is an issue that can be addressed by the school's compliance officer on a case by case basis.

You are applying to all Div. schools.  That is a bit more difficult, but do able.  To know which school will give you the best chance of walking on will be up to the school's head coach.  I recommend you contact the shcools football office and inquire which school allows walk-ons to try out in your situation.
You size and stats are respectable.
Best of luck.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: my age is 22 and no is walk just for the bet I went to the navy and most of my firends are Marines and Army guys so they think the Navy made me soft so i was not just to prove to them but also myslef that if i was going to do it I had to reassure myspef that i had decent stats enough to be considered at a decent college program

Answer
Mitch,

The fact that you were in the Navy and you are 22 should present no problems for you.  You should have all 4 years of eligibility.  You also have two very important advantages to assist you in walking on: 1) you at 22 are or presumably are more mature (physically, mentally, emotionally, etc.) than those you will be competing with;  2)  You served in the military - there you have learned to be disciplined and coachable.  Having served in the military for the last few years can be a great advantage to you in getting the chance to walk on.  Make sure you visit the schools, meet the coach or at least go to the football office and speak to someone there and let them know you want to walk on; that you have just been discharged from the Navy and you are now attending college and that you have something to offer the team and that you maturity, discipline and leadership skills can help add to the team even if it is from the role of a 2nd string player or a scout team member.  Ask for the chance.

And finally, thank you for serving the United States and protecting her shores.

Best of luck to you,

Victor Winnek