Preferred Walk-On

A preferred walk-on is a recruit who is guaranteed a roster spot without an athletic scholarship, invited by the coaching staff during the recruiting process. Unlike an open tryout walk-on, a preferred walk-on's place on the team is assured.

Preferred walk-on offers are common when a program is out of scholarship money but still wants a player.

Some preferred walk-ons earn scholarships in later years through performance.

Related terms