Wednesday, September 5, 2012

No. 18 Cowboys Grow Walk-on Program, Reap Rewards


STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) - It doesn't take a scholarship to be a contributor for No. 18 Oklahoma State these days.

Beyond the hundreds of millions of dollars invested in facilities that helped the Cowboys (1-0) become a national contender, the program is also putting more into its walk-on program and reaping the benefits.

Coach Mike Gundy said Oklahoma State is taking on about 20 more walk-ons - 50 instead of 30 - than when he first became head coach and there's even a waiting list. In the Cowboys' 84-0 rout of Savannah State in the opener, 25 players who are or once were walk-ons got a chance to play.

There are two starters, center Evan Epstein and safety Shamiel Gary, who left Mountain West programs to come to Oklahoma State as walk-ons. Backup defensive end Tyler Johnson also joined the team without a scholarship after playing minor-league baseball, much like record-setting quarterback and first-round NFL draft pick Brandon Weeden did.

Read Complete Story - Click Here

by AP College Football Writer



No comments:

Post a Comment