There is a player on the team that RUDY becomes friends. That other player had BIG-TIME scholarship offers to other major programs, Indiana, Illinois, etc., Yet he chose to attend Notre Dame. It did not seem like he was happy about it. His reasons made sense to his family and he did as his family bid, going to Notre Dame. But it seemed as if the entire Notre Dame experience was as much a bragging point for his family as anything else. He could have gone to Illinois and maybe started there.

I think we need to be careful about thinking that its the coaches job to make sure every kid at BYU gets a chance to play. What the coaches need to do is make sure every kid gets a fair chance to compete. If someone is NOT playing it is because that have not earned the right to play during practice and inter-squad competitions. Playing is the right of the champions, not the right of the people. This idea that everyone should have a shot is falsely rooted in the argument that everyone should get a trophy. Some kids may not be good enough to hit a 3 deep squad and might never get much time. Or they may not be willing to play Special Teams and earn their way up. Some kids may be fantastic at the FCS or Division II or III level, but do not have the body, or shake and bake or strength to compete at the highest levels.

That is a player's decision. BYU NEEDS players to do time on the scout team, or to volunteer for special teams play. But a player that wants a starting position at BYU or even a back-up spot is not likely going to be a DII, III or even FCS level talent. If my son/daughter only had that level, I would encourage him/her to accept a scholarship, even if it was to Cal Poly, Weber State, North Dakota, etc. The bottom line is a great education...and the STUDENT that applies himself to that end while on athletic scholarship comes out way ahead in life.

Preferred Walk-ons at BYU are always FBS level athletes for whom BYU has no available scholarships. They often fill those roles that Rudy and his friend filled at Notre Dame. I can tell you this axiom of truth:

ONE MORE THING. I PROMISE that when any of BYU's preferred Walk-ons or Scholarship players put in the effort and drive, the heart and determination of Rudy Ruttiger, they can end up a starter, maybe an All American, maybe in the NFL. If not, they belong to an insurance family and transfer to Utah State (LOL). The game is as much about mental toughness as it is physical attributes and developed talents.