Aggie walk-ons to provide depth

Walking on at a major college is difficult. Playing as a walk-on is even more difficult.

Seven Aggie walk-ons are bucking those odds and may get some quality playing time.

“Like I told them the first time I talked to them: it doesn’t matter how you got here, if you can help us win, you’re going to play,” first year head football coach Mike Sherman told a recent news conference.

Fullback Nick LaMantia, who was the only fullback on the roster with playing time, is getting quality reps. The presumed starting fullback Jorvorskie Lane suffered a stinger and has been sidelined or going at half speed at practice for several days.

LaMantia was a 12th Man walk-on as a linebacker. The 12th Man program allows any student to try out and possibly secure a place on the team. He switched to fullback in 2007 and played in 13 games.

Colton Haverda is a 189 pound freshman redshirt running back from San Antonio. Antonio Vela is a squad man from Round Rock. He did not play in 2007. Ryan O’Bryant is a 228 pound junior and did not play in 2007. Drew Williamson, a senior, played in only two games last year. Randy Bullock is a freshman placekicker. Derrick Dumas is a junior 228 linebacker and played in two games in 2007.

Kevin Matthews, a walk-on out of Sugarland, TX, has a good chance to start at center.

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Sherman promised his players early on that everyone would get a chance to play. None of these players are likely to start. The most likely to play are Mathews, LaMantia and Haverda. LaMantia will possibly will serve back up roles for Lane.

The place kicker role is open. Contenders are Bullock and Richie Bean, who was a kick off specialist with 19 touchback in 2006. Bean kicked extra points in 2007.

Still getting this for a walk-on is quite an accomplishment.

The Aggies wrapped up two-a-day works on Wednesday with a spirited water balloon fight. They will be preparing for the opening game with Arkansas State on Aug. 30.

By Jay Goode
Big 12 Fans Texas A&M Correspondent

More Texas A&M articles from Goode:

• Stephen McGee picked to lead the Aggies' 2008 campaign
• Surprising newcomers may add depth to Aggie backfield
• 2008 Season Projection for Texas A&M
• R-E-S-P-E-C-T! How do the Aggies get it?
• Will Sherman be different?
• Can Jorvorskie change lanes?
• Again the Texas A&M Aggies find themselves searching for success

Find more Big 12 football articles online through Big12-fans.com!