Tradition continues as 17 Nebraskans become walk-ons

Every fan that's walked through the gates of Memorial Stadium, into the third largest city in Nebraska on Saturdays knows about the walk-on tradition at Nebraska.

Last season alone, nine former walk-ons put on the scarlet and cream as starters in front of those fans in the stadium and the ones in living rooms from Omaha to Scottsbluff.

One of those fans was Lincoln Southeast tight end/defensive end Trey Foster.

Foster wasn't a typical fan and he wasn't just a typical player for the Knights.

In his senior season, Foster was named first team

All-Nebraska by the Omaha World-Herald and Lincoln Journal Star as a defensive end.

And that talent was enough to draw interest from Ohio and South Dakota State and even a scholarship offer from Southeast Missouri State.

But those schools weren't even on Foster's radar.

"I can't say they really (stood a chance)," Foster said. "The community has always told me ‘you're going to be a Husker, you're going to be a Husker,' and it's really grown on me."

And it's likely the 17 Nebraskans walking on had a similar experience based on the tradition of the program at NU.

That tradition is something that Nebraska coach Bo Pelini is getting used to.

"I get a little more comfortable with it now that we're going into year five," Pelini said. "I'm developing an understanding of who these guys are and what they can become and they kind of remind you of some guys that are in your program now.

"And you can compare them to some guys who maybe were at a similar point a couple years ago."

Since Pelini feels more comfortable, he's also optimistic for the future of the walk-ons, and some of them might make an impact right away.

"I think there's good talent in that group," Pelini said. "Not only some guys that fill some specific needs for us number one, but number two, it's a good group of football players. Guys that have a lot of potential to grow, I like this group of guys, I do, I think there's a lot of talent there."

And that optimism from Pelini and company has Foster ready to start his career at NU. He looks to those players of the past as his inspiration.

"A lot of great Huskers started off as walk-ons and became great players," Foster said. "I can see myself doing that and becoming a scholarship player in the next year or so and doing some great work."

But even last week, Foster was unsure about which university he would attend to play college football. Then Thursday night he made the decision to pass up on the opportunity to go to school on a scholarship and play for Nebraska, his hometown team since he was 7-years-old.

"I just can't see myself going anywhere else," Foster said. "Nebraska was just the best thing that I saw."

And with all the pressure that's been on Foster with this decision, he's just happy to finally say he's a Husker.

"I'm relieved. These last couple weeks have been stressful," Foster said. "But I can say I'm glad with the decision I've made."

robbykorth@

dailynebraskan.com