NU Walk-On Success
- Thread starter ChappyCat
- Start date
Barry Gardner, walk-on offensive lineman turned tackling machine.
Doug Bartels (edit - sorry, missed you incorporating him)
Doug Szymul
Tom Hruby (for non-football reasons)
Hoping TJ Green joins this list
Only problem with Green joining that list is it likely means CT is out and or Hunter has problems.
Fair - was thinking more a reflection of assuming Green is starting a few games before Thorson comes in. So in retrospect, editing to "hoping Green makes it (if he has to play ever at all)"
Or he is just plays better than them. Not likely but think about the up side of that.
As a backup getting reps is fine. Just don't necessarily want to see injuries or poor performance from headliners as being the reason he is on the fieldFair - was thinking more a reflection of assuming Green is starting a few games before Thorson comes in. So in retrospect, editing to "hoping Green makes it (if he has to play ever at all)"
Did Bryan Heinz start his career as a walk-on or am I making that up?
Same question for Adam Crum
Some for the "lesser heralded" list... Amado Villareal, Ricky Weina, Mark Woodsum, Phil Brunner, Tyris Jones, Mike Jensen, Steve Flaherty
Same question for Adam Crum
Some for the "lesser heralded" list... Amado Villareal, Ricky Weina, Mark Woodsum, Phil Brunner, Tyris Jones, Mike Jensen, Steve Flaherty
Thanks!
YES on Tom Hruby- what a great story- love that guy!
And I share your hope on TJ Green, ONLY for the games that CT CANNOT go. But many signs are pointing toward CT being ready to go for August 30th.
Yes- both Heinz and Crum were walk-ons. And good thinking on the names that followed- thanks GCG.
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Not sure about Crum, but Heinz definitely was - good catch.
Steve Flaherty still has what I consider the most clutch play by an NU player in recent history (well - somewhat of an exaggeration, but still). His final kickoff against Syracuse went to the goal line, making Syracuse return the kick and wasting 5 seconds off the clock (which anyone watching the game realized is more than enough time for them to score the winning points the way Dugar was playing).
Feel like there are several ST specialists that we are not thinking of.
Crum- The "Alaskan Assassin"
https://dailynorthwestern.com/2004/09/30/archive-manual/alaskan-assassin-finds-home-at-nu/
Saying no to that is just ridiculous. I said it was unlikely but if he beat out those two it would be because he is the best QB Nu has seen in 50 years.
Going way back, Otto Graham. Randy’s brother Rob also walked on and caught some of Randy’s passes.
Thanks for the memories. After Adam returned to Alaska he ran into my brother at a store here. Adam mentioned to him that there was a fan from Alaska who used to bring smoked Alaska Salmon and Alaska Reindeer sausage to the Parents and Players Northwestern tailgates.
At the time my brother didn’t recognize that was me.
Yes, Heinz & Crum were both walk-ons. I think Heinz had 5 picks one year for a defense that sorely needed turnovers, and of course Crum became one of the few Alaskans in history to start for a Big Ten football team.
Also, Jacob Schmidt was my favorite walk-on under Fitz. Not a star but his tough inside runs and blocking made a big difference in some key victories.
Rob Dean was very good as well. Rob was a starter on defense before Randy started at QB, though Randy also was a good punter before he started at QB. Looks like Rob also played basketball one year at NU. Both were excellent students (>3.9) and mature way beyond their years. Both played handball in the 1976 Olympics as well.
Probably the most valuable walk-on in NU history......
I don't think so. He was a QB who could punt well and saw the field initially as a punter. Both were quick learners and good athletes.
Yes: Long-snapper John Henry Pace (circa 2009-12), who I believe got a scholarship only in his last year of eligibility
Matt Stewart. His book about being a walk on is excellent, and it makes the case that he was a very important part of the '95 Rose Bowl team: Amazon product ASIN B007QSBYP4
