Unranked Checkup: Three former walk-ons that came up big
Every Friday during the football season, we take a look back at some players who are performing well in either college football or the NFL despite the fact that they were unrated as high school prospects. Here’s our rundown from this past weekend, featuring three players that came up big in their team's victories.
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As a recruit: Gillaspia starred in both football and baseball as a high school prospect at Katy (Texas) Taylor, but didn’t receive one scholarship offer. He elected to walk-on at Texas A&M and joined the team in 2014.
What he did last weekend: After redshirting his first year and seeing spot duty during his redshirt freshman season in 2015, Gallaspia was awarded the 12th man distinction, an honor given to only a select number of players in Aggies history. After appearing in every game in 2016 wearing the No. 12 and making several key plays, Gillaspia has picked up right where he left off in 2017. In Saturday’s win he had three tackles, doubling his total on the season. Gillaspia is a fan favorite and his knack for making key special teams tackles only continues to add to his lore.
As a recruit: Despite being an all-state performer that also helped his team win a state championship, Reaves didn’t receive much recruiting attention. With his options limited he elected to walk on at USF and joined the team in 2015.
What he did last weekend: After redshirting his first year in Tampa and playing sparingly in 2016, Reaves has quickly become a favorite of first-year head coach Charlie Strong. Reaves has worked his way into the lineup and been productive when given the opportunity and in Saturday’s win over Cincinnati he led the team in tackles with eight, 1.5 of which were for loss. The output was a career-high for Reaves, who continues to find a way to contribute and will likely be in the mix for even more playing time as his career moves along.
As a recruit: Yelder was a two-sport star coming out of the Louisville area in 2013 but he didn’t receive any scholarship options. He was offered the chance to walk on at Western Kentucky and joined the Hilltoppers later that year.
What he did last weekend: Yelder has gone from a walk on to special teams player to regular contributor in his five seasons at WKU and he’s having a breakout season in 2017. After not catching a pass in his career prior to this year, Yelder is now one of the Hilltoppers main receiving targets. In Saturday’s win over Charlotte he hauled in seven catches for 92 yards and a touchdown and has run his yards on the season to 272. A converted basketball player who is known for his vertical leap, Yelder might just play his way into a shot at the next level if he can keep it up.