TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Being a walk-on athlete is tough. Sometimes they try-out to make the team, sometimes they're recruited and asked to walk on because there is not a scholarship available.
As a walk-on, you're working hard to prove yourself and the ultimate reward is earning that scholarship.
On Monday night, two Florida State football players received that ultimate honor as head coach Mike Norvell rewarded both running back Deonte Sheffield and tight end Wyatt Rector with scholarships.
Norvell, a former walk-on himself, said since he's been a head coach, there hasn't been a year that he hasn't been able to reward a player with a scholarship.
Both Sheffield and Rector are deserving and Norvell said he was more than happy to place them on scholarship.
"I've never given a scholarship to a player that wasn't deserving of it," said Norvell. "That's where you have to earn it. There's nothing in this world for free. You have to go out there and you have to work and you have to prove yourself worthy in order to receive a scholarship. I'm excited for those guys that were able to receive it and there's other guys that are able to receive it."
Norvell also talked about the improvement of the offense this week.
After Saturday's scrimmage, he sought consistency from this group, and by Tuesday he said it's the best this offense has been, collectively. There's still room for improvement, but things are looking better.
"Nobody is going to go out there and have a perfect game or a perfect practice, but if you're engaged and willing to learn from the mistakes you've made you have the opportunity to improve," Norvell said. "That's the biggest thing I'm seeing from those guys. Every play they're getting coached. I really like the response they've had since Saturday. It'll come down to tomorrow, what are they willing to do the rest of the day? We have the opportunity to step on the field tomorrow. They have to go get better."
Norvell confirmed that former Madison County standout Zane Herring has had shoulder surgery and the offensive lineman will miss the rest of this season.
