Loren Bass
This week marks the first week that football walk-ons will hit the field as Blazers. Graduate assistant safety’s coach, Brian Simmons, advises current college students to “work out at the campus recreation center about two or three times per week, run, and [just] get in overall good condition.” The first two days of each semester students are permitted to sign up on a sheet in the football office which leads to an actual tryout later in the week including cuts. This year sixty-five guys signed up to walk on, fifty-nine participated in try outs, and twenty made the team.

“Most of the time the walk on guys play junior varsity the first year which gives the coaches time to evaluate their talent,” Said Simmons “and after JV’s season is over walk-ons practice with the varsity players.”

“It feels real good to be on the team,” said Stevie Jones a freshmen walk-on from Macon, Georgia. “I have always wanted to play here since I was little. Not knowing if you are going to make the team is hard; with so many guys coming out the competition was good.”

The number of walk-ons varies every year depending upon the demand at certain positions, although guys are not to be discouraged. One success walk-on is defensive end # 47, Travis Harrison. Harrison played JV in 2004-2005 and is now a two year varsity starter and was all conference in 2006. Also, special teams/ running back #25, Donnie Powell played junior varsity in 2005 and worked his way to varsity for the 2006 season.

“Walking on lets me know that I have what it takes to be a Blazer,” says veteran walk-on Chester Smith, a junior from Albany, Georgia. “I was nervous about walking on because I did not know how great the next player was and if I could beat him out. [Seeing your name on the list for accepted players] is a great sigh of relief.”

Junior varsity’s first game is September 13 at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, Georgia. The JV also plays Webber International at home, on September 27 and Ware Prep Academy at home on November 1.