Recruiting 101 With Amy: Recruited Walk-On vs. Scholarship Athlete

If you’re trying to navigate the college recruiting process, you may have heard the term “recruited walk-on” or “prefered walk-on.”

A recruited walk-on is a player that a college coach really wants to have as a member of his or her team but doesn’t have any scholarship money to offer. Sometimes that happens when a coach has already promised all of his or her scholarship money for a particular class to other athletes but comes across a player who he or she would love to have on the team. These players, who are responsible for paying their own tuition or applying for merit- and need-based scholarships, would have the opportunity to earn a scholarship spot down the road, if one becomes available.

The recruiting process for recruited walk-ons is very similar to that of scholarship athletes, only there will be no financial package attached.

Another strategy some coaches will employ is a two-and-two. That means an athlete joins the program with an understanding that he or she will spend two years as a walk-on athlete but get a scholarship for his or her final two years of eligibility. If you are offered a two-and-two deal, you should get it in writing to make sure that the coach keeps his or her word. Also keep in mind, if the coach leaves partway through your college career, that deal may not stand.

A key point to keep in mind is that once you’re on a college team, walk-ons and scholarship athletes are all treated the same. They get the same equipment, do the same workouts, and are held to the same standards by the coaching staff.

Additional Episodes Of Recruiting 101

When To Get Started In The Recruiting Process
How To Narrow Down Your Search
What College Coaches Are Looking For
My Role Vs. My Parents' Role
Your Chances Of Getting A Scholarship
The Right Time To Make A Decision
Making Yourself Stand Out