STARKVILLE — Each year, hundreds of walk-ons join college football teams hoping to make their dreams come true.
Some do it for the love of the game and relish the opportunity to be on a college team.
Others shun the chance to be on scholarship or to have playing time at a lower level in an attempt to earn their way onto the field.
Three Mississippi State walk-ons just want to wear the colors of their favorite college team and to play close to home.
West Point High School graduate Dexter Shelton, Heritage Academy grad McKellar Proffitt, and Starkville native Jonathan Phillips are three of MSU”s walk-ons looking to find their way onto the field this spring.
Phillips was home-schooled before spending two years in the Army. The 6-foot, 190-pound defensive back didn”t play high school football.
In his second season as a walk-on, the former combat medic had the highlight of his career: An interception in the 2010 Maroon-White Spring Game.
At 22, Phillips enjoys being one of the older, yet most inexperienced players on the team.
He said he felt like a “hog on ice” when he first started practicing because of how awkward it felt to backpedal and to learn the footwork required to play defensive back.
“It”s funny because (teammates) don”t really know how old I am, just that I was in the Army,” Phillips said. “I”ve been with groups of guys from all over the world, and these are some of the coolest kids I”ve ever been with. We take care of each other. I”ve learned more from them than anybody about football because I didn”t have any practice experience. Wade Bonner, Charles Mitchell, they”ve all helped me out. That”s been the biggest thing.”
Phillips” path to MSU started when he injured his shoulder during combat deployment shortly after joining the Army in 2006. The injury took him out of active duty, so he returned to Starkville and joined the Army ROTC program at MSU.
“That”s what got me on campus, but all I ever wanted to do is play football, so I walked on,” Phillips said. “Coach (Dan) Mullen, and (safeties) coach (Tony) Hughes have really helped me out. They”ve been patient with me.”
Shelton, also a second-year walk-on, is the most experienced of the three.
The former West Point High standout spent the 2008 season as a cornerback at William Penn University (Iowa), racking up 23 tackles and two pass breakups in seven games. He played that season with older brother, Jonathan, who had 22 tackles.
Dexter had just earned a starting role before he decided to transfer to MSU in the fall of 2009.
“I wasn”t sure if I wanted to do it,” Dexter said. “It was tough coming into a situation where you”re just looking to get playing time. But I felt like I could participate in a higher level of football, so I decided to come here and compete with the best.”
Dexter left the team last spring to tend to family issues but returned this spring.
The 5-foot-8, 160-pound cornerback admits he faces a tough road to earning playing time, especially with a deep group of experienced defensive backs ahead of him.
But the recent success of former walk-on Emmanuel Gatling, who earned a scholarship and started at strong-side linebacker last season, encourages all of MSU”s walk-ons.
The chance to play special teams could be an immediate route to getting on the field, much like former walk-on and special teams ace Marvin Bure did last year.
“We got a lot of good players out here, a lot of talent,” Dexter said. “I think I just got to be a hard-nosed competitor. The playing time isn”t going to come immediately, but I”m willing to sit back and wait my turn and be a competitor.
“I want to put a little bit of weight on so I can bring that thump.”
Proffitt, who played offensive line at Heritage Academy, had always considered playing college football. Two weeks ago, he decided to get serious. Instead of pursuing opportunities at other schools where there was a greater possibility of playing earlier, Proffitt came to MSU.
“I didn”t want it to be something I regretted not doing,” Proffitt said. “I tried out (and) they called me 30 minutes later and they said I made it. I was pumped. I”ve been coming here and watching games since I could remember. This is the only play I”ve ever wanted to play.”
Proffitt has moved to tight end since joining the team and said the realization he”s a Bulldog hit him when he caught his first pass in practice.
“It”s still crazy being out here on the field with these guys,” he said.
Proffitt, Dexter, and Phillips will return to spring practice March 24.
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