Catching Up With NFL Scout Bill Rees

He has two sons who are are Division I football players; at and Danny at UCLA. For over a decade, he was in charge of player personnel for several NFL teams, including the Chicago Bears. He recently completed a stint on the recruiting staff at Northwestern. Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Patch caught up with Bill Rees and he offered these insights on how the college recruiting game works.

Two Scouts football players have recently committed to Division 1 programs as "walk-ons": 2011 grad Connor Calavaris (Notre Dame) and 2012 grad Bo Dever (Michigan). Some schools have "preferred walk-ons." Clear this up.

When the NCAA went to 85 scholarships, teams still needed more players on the roster. A preferred walk on is a player very close to scholarship, and has redeeming qualities, good speed, good football skills. You are able to supplement the other 85 scholarship players by prioritizing other players. History has shown that a number of these players have gone on and become starters. 

Is there a benefit to being a preferred or conventional walk on?

It varies from school to school. Some schools cap the number of players in camp at 105, so they would have 20 walk-ons (85 on scholarship). If you are considered a preferred walk-on you've had an opportunity to play at other places. You've turned down scholarships at other schools. 

Why would an athlete turn down a scholarship to be a walk-on?

There might be a void at a certain position on the roster. If a kid comes in and does well he might on the rotation, playing special teams. Someone gets nicked up, he may move up the depth chart. You have to be patient. If you are on the roster, there's no difference (between walk on and scholarship). They are treated the same, part of every meeting and practice, dress for all the home games. 

What are examples of Northwestern athletes who started as walk-ons but became key contributors?

(Senior guard) Doug Bartels is a pre-med major who walked on and earned a scholarship (in 2008). He's had a real good career. (sophomore wide receiver) Mike Jensen is another guy. He played special teams and put himself in a position to be a starter. 

What should parents and student-athletes ask themselves when considering a walk-on opportunity?

What are the expectations? Where is (college) located? What is track record of walk-ons? How many have earned scholarships? Do you want to play in the Big Ten or the Ivy League, which is not as competitive athletically? Each case is different.