The best current and former walk-ons in the Pac-12 this Fall.
Photo: Jennifer Buchanan USA Today
Article by Christopher Caravello
With the off-season finally winding down in the Pac 12, we look at several players who have put in the hard work to walk on to their respective programs, with many earning scholarships. The amount of
dedication and drive it takes to not only walk onto a D1 football program, but also make an impact, is an impressive feat and speaks volume about these young men’s character and work ethic.
1. Ryan Bowman - UW
After walking on his freshman year, Bowman earned a scholarship and gained recognition for his relentless play on the Huskies defensive line. After his first season as a full-time starter, Bowman earned a spot on the 2nd team All-Pac-12 defensive team. Bowman has 22.5 career tackles for loss and 13 sacks.
2. Josh McCauley - Arizona
McCauley earned his scholarship prior to the 2019 spring game and has started the last 22 games that he has appeared in for the Wildcats. Going into the 2020 season he was named to the Rimington Watch List, awarded to the nation’s top center.
3. Josiah Bronson - UW
A scholarship player at Temple, Bronson transferred to UW as a walk on then re-earned a scholarship last offseason. Bronson should be in line for a huge year with the opt-out departure of DL standout Levi Onwuzurike. After starting 11 games last season and being granted a 6th season of eligibility, the Huskies are counting on him to anchor what should be an elite defense.
4. Blake Mazza - WSU
After transferring from Arkansas to walk on at Wazzu, Mazza became the first Lou Groza Award finalist in program history last season while also making the 1st team all- Pac-12 team.
5. Edefuan Ulofoshio - UW
After impressing the coaching staff with his 3 starts late in the 2019 season, Ulofoshio earned his scholarship in one of new head coach Jimmy Lake’s first orders of business after taking control of the program. Ulofoshio finished with 47 tackles, 3.5 TFL and 3 sacks last season.
6. Oscar Draguicevich - WSU
A transfer from Incarnate Word, Draguicevich was named to the preseason Ray Guy Award, given to the nation’s top punter, for the 2nd season in a row.
7. Brady Russell - Colorado
It only took the Colorado Tight End 1 year to earn himself a scholarship after being awarded Scout Team Player of the Year. Now a junior, Russell is a solid contributor in the passing game and a team leader.
8. Jaydon Grant - OSU
Grant earned his scholarship in the 2019 offseason and is projected to be the nickel DB for the Beavers this season, while also being named to the preseason Wuerffel Trophy preseason watch list for his role in the community.
9. Case Hatch - ASU
After walking on to the team last offseason, Hatch was a tireless worker who made a position switch from LB to H-Back and excelled on special teams, being named a Pac-12 All-Conference First Team Special Teams selection. Before the Sun Devil’s bowl game, he was placed on scholarship. Pro Football Focus rated Hatch as the 11th highest graded special teams player in the conference in 2019.
10. Christian Zendejas - ASU
After stepping in for an injured starter in 2019, Zendejas never relinquished the kicking job and earned himself a scholarship from Herm Edwards. He enters 2020 on the Lou Groza pre-season watch list.
11. Peyton Henry - UW
After suffering what could have been a career killing moment in Eugene during the 2018 season, Henry rebounded to not only hold onto the starting job but thrive for UW. After kicking a career long FG in week 2 of the 2019 season, Henry was rewarded with a scholarship.
12. Jake Tonges - Cal
After being placed on scholarship right before the 2019 season began, Tonges shot up the depth chart and hauled in a key 60-yard TD in the win against Ole Miss and will be a valuable contributor at TE this season.
13. Dillon Sherman - WSU
After earning a ton of playing time his first 2 seasons in Pullman and earning himself a scholarship, Sherman missed all of 2019 with an injury. Now healthy, he looks to compete for a starting role for the Coug defense at linebacker.
14. Stanley Berryhill III - Arizona
A contributor on special teams and as a WR, Berryhill III earned his scholarship before the 2018 season and will look to be more of a factor for the Wildcats passing game in 2020.
15. Devaughn Vele - Utah
Vele returned from his Mormon mission to walk on to the Utes squad last offseason as a WR and looked promising until an injury delayed his debut. Now he looks to make an impact for a Utah offense that will need to rely on a ton of new personnel in order to get back to the league title game.
16. Noah Williams - Stanford
Williams received his scholarship during the 2018 season and returned the favor by causing a huge fumble with under a minute left against Oregon in a shocking Cardinal comeback victory a few weeks later.
17. Thomas Reid III - Arizona
Reid III earned his scholarship prior to the 2019 season after being a special team’s standout in 2018 when he was honored with a 2018 All-Pac-12 (Honorable Mention) selection and being named Arizona’s Special Teams MVP player.
18. Greg Dulcich - UCLA
After a solid 2019 campaign, Dulrich earned a scholarship this offseason and has the inside track at leading a talented position group for the Bruins.
19. Jack Westover - UW
The latest walk-on to earn a scholarship at Washington, Westover helped blow the game open at Arizona last year with a TD catch and key block on a TD run.
20. Brycen Tremayne - Stanford
After earning his scholarship prior to the 2019 season, Tremayne went a perfect 3 catches for 3 touchdowns and even scored on a blocked punt.
Honorable Mention:
Armani Marsh - WSU
A preferred walk-on who earned his scholarship prior to the 2019 season, Marsh appeared in all 13 games and should see considerable action at CB in 2020.
Jordan McMillan - USC
After walking onto the team in 2018 and making a 4th quarter interception against Notre Dame, McMillan has become a reliable reserve in the SC secondary.
Race Porter - UW
A phenomenal athlete in high school, Porter is projected to be the starting Punter and also the holder on FG’s and XP’s for the Huskies.
Quincy Jountti - USC
A transfer from Sacramento State, Jountti earned his scholarship before the 2019 season and won USC’s Joe Collins Walk-on Award and the Lifters Award.
Hayden Furey - Utah
After a promising true freshman campaign that had him contributing on special teams, Furey has the potential to start seeing snaps on defense.
Rourke Freeburg - Arizona
A contributor on special teams up to this point, Freeburg will be called into the fold at LB due to the departures of multiple starters the past offseason.
Harrison Beattie - Oregon
The lone true freshman on this list, Beattie isn’t guaranteed to find the field this season kicking field goals, but his 5-star rating and fall practice heroics speak to his potential.
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