FORT COLLINS — College walk-ons are a ritual of spring football.
They work as hard, if not harder, than their teammates with scholarships. Coaches yell at them as loudly as they do everyone else, and their parents keep inquiring about a scholarship.
While spring practices give them more of a chance on the field, many Colorado State walk-ons historically land roster spots if not scholarships.
Among the Rams getting significant looks in practices are James Skelton, a redshirt freshman linebacker from Chatfield often running with the first unit; redshirt freshman wide receiver Alex Johnson, a Cherry Creek product who had a breakout scrimmage Friday; sophomore running back Derek Good of Berthoud; and junior letterman Tyson Liggett, a wide receiver from Limon.
“It’s tough right now,” said Johnson, who caught a 50-yard touchdown pass Friday. “We have all our receivers coming back (from last year). I’m trying to work hard and hopefully make my spot in a couple of years and make the older guys keep working hard.”
He had NCAA Division II offers out of Cherry Creek but had planned to be a walk-on at Arizona State. Cherry Creek receivers coach Pete Rebstock, a former Rams receiver, encouraged Johnson to try CSU.
Skelton’s only other walk-on offer came from Northern Colorado. He was named by the CSU staff as the top defensive scout-team player last fall.
Both said their parents regularly ask about the possibility of receiving a scholarship.
CSU coach Steve Fairchild won’t offer any scholarship hints during spring ball. “Those guys are working their way up the depth chart,” he said. “Some may end up being on the field.”
Tweet, tweet.
Fairchild said CSU fans can text, Twitter, tweet and photograph to their heart’s content at the Rams’ practices.
Repeated violations of the “no cellphone” edict prompted Colorado coach Dan Hawkins to shut down practices to fans, except for scrimmages.
“I would like our fans to come out here and Twitter or tweet or whatever they do,” Fairchild said. “I’ll close it if I don’t want anybody to see it.”
Natalie Meisler, The Denver Post
