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Walk-on role suits Gdowski just fine
COMMENTARY
Dale Miller
dale.miller@theindependent.com
Nebraska football fans celebrated the return of a vibrant walk-on program under coach Bo Pelini.
But that’s nothing compared to how the football players who now get to fill those walk-on spots feel.
Grand Island Senior High’s Andy Gdowski is one of 16 walk-ons announced by the Huskers on Wednesday, 13 of whom are from in-state.
Some might question taking the option of walking on. They wonder about turning down scholarship money to play at other Division I or lower level schools.
They wonder about not going where a player could compete for playing time right away and instead going to where they could be perceived to be at the bottom of the roster.
Just talk to Gdowski. There is no doubt in his voice that walking on at Nebraska is the best — and only — choice for him.
“(Associate head coach) Barney Cotton said they were real interested and wondered if I would try walking on,” said Gdowski, a 6-foot-3, 235-pound defensive end. “I’m really excited to go down there and get started.”
Ohio was another Division I program that was looking at Gdowski, but he wasn’t offered a scholarship.
In-state Division II schools were told by Gdowski what his No. 1 choice was.
“UNK and UNO looked at me, but I told them I wanted to play at the Division I level,” he said.
Getting to join the Huskers fulfills a longtime dream for Gdowski.
“I went to a couple games, and growing up as a Husker fan, it’s every kid’s dream to be part of the program,” he said.
“When they offered me the chance to walk on, I was excited.”
Gdowski said the coaching staff’s attitude toward walk-ons helped him feel even better about his choice.
“When I went down there and they talked to me, they said walk-on players have a major role in the program,” he said. “Everyone is treated equally. It doesn’t matter if you’re a walk-on or a scholarship player. That won’t control how much time you play.”
As if signing to play for your dream college isn’t enough, joining the Huskers now as they appear to be on the upswing under Pelini adds to Gdowski’s enthusiasm.
“It’s exciting, especially after seeing what they did in the Holiday Bowl and throughout the season,” he said. “They’ve shown what they can do and what’s to come.”
Gdowski’s dominant play on the defensive line was part of the reason the Islanders fielded one of the top defenses in Class A over the past two years. As a senior, he had 58 tackles, five sacks and a fumble recovery.
He knows it’ll be an adjustment making the move to the college level.
“The speed of the game will probably be the biggest difference,” he said. “Obviously the athletes will be better. I already do a lot of work in the weight room, but I’m sure that will pick up. It’ll be an adjustment being on a college campus. It’ll be a challenge but nothing I can’t handle.”
Gdowski feels Grand Island head football coach Jeff Tomlin and strength and conditioning coach John Swanson have given him a great foundation.
“They are two of the best coaches I’ve ever had,” Gdowski said. “They’ve taught me the proper work ethic. I know what it takes and how to work hard from the past four years. It’s pretty close to the work ethic I’ll need at Nebraska.”
Dale Miller is a sports writer for The Independent.
dale.miller@theindependent.com
Nebraska football fans celebrated the return of a vibrant walk-on program under coach Bo Pelini.
But that’s nothing compared to how the football players who now get to fill those walk-on spots feel.
Grand Island Senior High’s Andy Gdowski is one of 16 walk-ons announced by the Huskers on Wednesday, 13 of whom are from in-state.
They wonder about not going where a player could compete for playing time right away and instead going to where they could be perceived to be at the bottom of the roster.
Just talk to Gdowski. There is no doubt in his voice that walking on at Nebraska is the best — and only — choice for him.
“(Associate head coach) Barney Cotton said they were real interested and wondered if I would try walking on,” said Gdowski, a 6-foot-3, 235-pound defensive end. “I’m really excited to go down there and get started.”
Ohio was another Division I program that was looking at Gdowski, but he wasn’t offered a scholarship.
In-state Division II schools were told by Gdowski what his No. 1 choice was.
“UNK and UNO looked at me, but I told them I wanted to play at the Division I level,” he said.
Getting to join the Huskers fulfills a longtime dream for Gdowski.
“I went to a couple games, and growing up as a Husker fan, it’s every kid’s dream to be part of the program,” he said.
“When they offered me the chance to walk on, I was excited.”
Gdowski said the coaching staff’s attitude toward walk-ons helped him feel even better about his choice.
“When I went down there and they talked to me, they said walk-on players have a major role in the program,” he said. “Everyone is treated equally. It doesn’t matter if you’re a walk-on or a scholarship player. That won’t control how much time you play.”
As if signing to play for your dream college isn’t enough, joining the Huskers now as they appear to be on the upswing under Pelini adds to Gdowski’s enthusiasm.
“It’s exciting, especially after seeing what they did in the Holiday Bowl and throughout the season,” he said. “They’ve shown what they can do and what’s to come.”
Gdowski’s dominant play on the defensive line was part of the reason the Islanders fielded one of the top defenses in Class A over the past two years. As a senior, he had 58 tackles, five sacks and a fumble recovery.
He knows it’ll be an adjustment making the move to the college level.
“The speed of the game will probably be the biggest difference,” he said. “Obviously the athletes will be better. I already do a lot of work in the weight room, but I’m sure that will pick up. It’ll be an adjustment being on a college campus. It’ll be a challenge but nothing I can’t handle.”
Gdowski feels Grand Island head football coach Jeff Tomlin and strength and conditioning coach John Swanson have given him a great foundation.
“They are two of the best coaches I’ve ever had,” Gdowski said. “They’ve taught me the proper work ethic. I know what it takes and how to work hard from the past four years. It’s pretty close to the work ethic I’ll need at Nebraska.”
Dale Miller is a sports writer for The Independent.
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