.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
The University of Mississippi Athletics
Orgeron Awards Football Scholarships To Six Ole Miss Walk-Ons
8/22/2005 | Football
Aug. 22, 2005
OXFORD, Miss. - When Ole Miss named Ed Orgeron as its 35th head football coach last December, he made it clear that his depth chart would be "etched in sand" and that non-scholarship players would be given every opportunity to move up that depth chart and contribute to the team.
Orgeron took that pledge a step further here Monday when he announced he was placing six non-scholarship members of the 2005 squad on scholarship.
"Part of our walk-on program is having guys come in here and compete to earn a spot on our team," Orgeron said. "They are given every opportunity to be rewarded if there is an open scholarship to fill."
Current walk-ons who were awarded scholarships this week include senior offensive lineman Ryan Jones of Brandon, Miss., junior kicker-punter Will Moseley of Bailey, Miss., junior wide receiver Matt Pierce of Mobile, Ala., sophomore kicker Matt Hinkle of Jackson, Miss., sophomore running back Seth Michaelson of Baton Rouge, La., and sophomore linebacker Dontae Reed of Memphis, Tenn.
"I'm proud of these young men and the way they competed to earn scholarships," Orgeron said. "Having a solid walk-on program is important to the success of our football team. When it comes to getting on the field, it doesn't matter if you're on scholarship or not. The best players are going to play."
The Rebels will also have four players on this year's team who have completed their undergraduate degrees defensive lineman McKinley Boykin of Bessemer, Ala., linebacker Kelvin Robinson of Jackson, Miss., quarterback Micheal Spurlock of Indianola, Miss., and offensive lineman Tre' Stallings of Magnolia, Miss.
