5 Tips For Being A Successful Walk-On | College Football

[@danjaltine6012]

I appreciate all the information you’ve been giving. Really helpful

[@clayraterman]

Anytime! Just trying to give back to all you guys supporting me, wish you the best brother!

[@user-gu1sz7cw4u]

Appreciate it giving out great information I am watching them bc I plan on trying out at Texas Tech whenever they have them

[@clayraterman]

Of course my man!! Go make it happen

[@johnnyzeen5029]

Playing Defensive Tackle or Dee Line (6'2 ft 275lbs) on Scout team gotta be the most difficult job to consistently achieve. The tasks are unpredictable and perhaps stressful in a weekly basis. Did I regret it? Absolutely not. 🙂

[@clayraterman]

BINGO

[@BornAgainJohn]

We’re u scout team all 4 years?

[@LilAlex4hunnid]

Valuable information thanks 🙏

[@clayraterman]

Yessir! Let me know if you have any other questions

[@jakewilkerson3509]

Hey Clay, just watched your vids on walking on and had a few questions. I have never played football before but I’ve played other sports here and there on the side. I’m interested in playing Linebacker as it seems interesting to me when I watch football and so on. I’m currently 6’0 190 but not the most built but I still have a few months before I have to get ready to tryout. I’m hoping to go to a bit of a smaller school which is still division 1 but I’m really hoping you can help out a bit as I don’t have much previous experience. I’ve already looked up main fundamentals etc for the position but what are things I should focus on? Is there any IQ knowledge i need to know beforehand or will I be taught the basics of learning plays and etc when I get there? And any main things I should focus on for the position or getting body shape ready wise? Would really appreciate any help. Thanks!

[@clayraterman]

Um that's a tough one - they definitely won't spend a lot of time teaching you stuff as a walk on. That's also probably too small for linebacker - more of a corner or safety type. If you don't know anything about football I'd suggest learning about it more first. Rules, coverages, etc. although none of that will matter for the tryout so could be a waste of time. I'd still give the same advice as I always do and say focus on the 40 yard dash and shuttle run because those are the two most important drills at the tryout and what they will look at the most. Then once you make the team you can worry about all the other football related stuff. Goodluck my man!!

[@jakewilkerson3509]

clay raterman Thank You! So if I learn basic coverages and rules for either S/LB and prepare for the tryouts will learning plays and play calls be taught there? Or is there a way I can learn those on my own so I have some knowledge of play calls etc?

[@jakewilkerson3509]

Or because my main concern is how to read plays etc that they will run there in the case I make the team, will that be shown and taught on the scout team or like I said above is there a way to prepare for it?

[@clayraterman]

@@jakewilkerson3509 Every defense is different, every school is different, every coverage is different, every position is different. You should just learn the basics of football lol you're worrying about a bunch of stuff that won't help you at all in the tryout and also that you can't even learn until way after you're on the team. There's no plays or calls or anything at a tryout usually and if there is they'll tell you what to do.

[@jayblackburn3553]

Jake Wilkerson Well, I’m a linebacker trying to walk on as well. I’ve played football my whole life and injuries really messed up my college plans. I had 3 hernias and the healing process took much longer than expected so I’m basically starting at square 1. But, I can help you out. If you’re trying to go for linebacker, here’s what I suggest; Maybe look into D2 and 3 schools. I’m not trying to be insulting, but take this for example; New Mexico State University has 22 linebackers. Now I’m pretty sure they run a 4-3 defense, but don’t quote me on that. That means, there’s only 3 of those 22 linebackers on the field. And they have back ups, and 3rd string guys as well. So realistically only about 9 of those guys have a shot at getting field time, and 9 is a pretty gracious number. This is a D1 school, not the biggest, not the smallest. It’s enrollment is 14,432 students as of 2018. Now let’s look at a decently smaller D1 school, Coastal Carolina. It’s enrollment is 10,663, and they have 20 linebackers. Out of these 22 linebackers from New Mexico State, only 9 of them are under 6’2. Out of the 20 from Coastal Carolina, 10 of them are under 6’2. But, if we look at a much much smaller school, a D2 school, Fort Lewis College, who’s enrollment is only 3,331 students, they only have 9 linebackers. And out of those 9, only 1 of them is ABOVE 6’2. Quite the difference, huh? That’s just kinda something to look in to if you’ve never played before. D2 is also pretty competitive, I played against a guy who was named 2017 defensive player of the year, tacker of the year, 3x state champion and 1st Team All State Linebacker and he’s playing for a D2 college right now. But if we take a look at a D3 school, called Adrian College, we’ll find that they have 17 linebackers, which is a pretty decent number for D3, but there are only 3 guys who even stand 6’ tall. So the moral of this entire book I’m writing is: Smaller schools=Better chances of making the team. And since this comment is so long I may as well tell you some key things about playing linebacker as well. With just about any defense, the linebackers job is to read the Guard, to the Flow. The guard is right next to the center (guy who snaps the ball) ((again I’m not trying to be insulting I’m just trying to be clear here)) If the guards helmet pops up, it’s usually a Pass. Then you’d drop in to your coverage responsibilities. If his helmet stays low, it’s a run, which is when you’d fit your gap. If you do research on that, that’ll be your best way of really understanding the position as much as you can. Linebackers have to be extremely smart, football smart that is. You’re gonna have to study immensely, and really make it a habit to watch the guard as much as you can when watching games or film. So in summary, my best advice to you would be to look at smaller schools for now and maybe plan on transferring after you get some good highlight reels. Study the basics of the position, such as Guard Reads, Run Fits, Pass drops and Film Study. Film is what makes you good. No debate. Keep lifting and training for walk-on drills as much as you can, and study study study. I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors!

[@TeeJayParkour]

What do you think about walking on for my senior year?

[@clayraterman]

I think who cares what other people think about it If you wanna do it go try

[@AlwaysArctic]

How many tries did you try out before you made it ? And is there a limit on how many tries you get ?

[@clayraterman]

I made it on my second one, but they didn't have any roster spots the first time I tried so it wasn't even a completely fair go at it initially. And every school is different but I would say there's probably no limit and they likely won't even know or remember who you are

[@TristanTriedIt]

So on your second one does that mean thats ur second year of college or you can do two tryouts in one year at the college

[@clayraterman]

@@TristanTriedIt There's usually 2 a year

[@TristanTriedIt]

@@clayraterman okay thanks bro. Now lets say I go to tryouts and make the team. Do they offer you a scholarship or only on certain cases?

[@clayraterman]

@@TristanTriedIt lol no they do not just offer them up.....it's rare and hard to earn them. Based on performance throughout your time there and if there is a chance you definitely will need to earn it

[@TristanTriedIt]

Can you end up getting an athletic scholarship after you make the walk on?

[@jdcopeland123]

Yea

[@clayraterman]

@@jdcopeland123 What he said ^^

[@johnmackshighlights8103]

Walk ons not heard nor seen

[@clayraterman]

What does that mean? Plenty of walk ons have been heard and seen haha - google successful walk on stories and there's tons. Depends on the person though...

[@johnmackshighlights8103]

clay raterman I meant at the start when they first walk in the door and the boost the GPA joke

[@clayraterman]

@@johnmackshighlights8103 ohhh lol I got you! Yeah that part is funny