Over the years, look at Impact walk-on for West Virginia Football

Admittedly, this is anything but a full list, that would be almost impossible. But WVSPorts.com looks back on a handful of walk-in players who have had an impact on the West Virginia Football program over the years.

This list is designed for the players who started their career as walk-ons, even if they later recorded a scholarship.

Offensive Lineman Rich Braham – 1990-93

Braham was the most decorated name on this list. He was a product of the University High School and continued in West Virginia, where he became an outstanding offensive line. Braham made 37 starts on the left Tackle for the mountaineers during his career and was a senior captain last season. The epitome of toughness, Braham, fought on the way to a career in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals with several injuries.

Fullback Owen Schmitt-2005-07

Schmitt just wanted an opportunity to demonstrate what he could do on the next level after playing at Wisconsin River Falls, a D-III program. He found that in West Virginia, where he not only proved that he could play at this level, but also became an integral part of climbers from 2005 to 2007. During his career, he hurried for 1,003 yards and 13 touchdowns, while he added 288 reception sheets and two points. And these sums do not even contain the holes that he has opened for Pat White and Steve Slaton.

LB Najee Good-2008-11

Goode continued from Cleveland in West Virginia and had to earn his role in the course of his first few seasons, but played a much larger role in his last two seasons. Goode appeared in 56 games during his career and started at Sam and then Mike Linebacker in the last two seasons. Goode ended his career with 142 tackles, 26.5 tackles for losses and two interceptions before playing for several NFL teams. He was last at the Jacksonville Jaguars.

WR Zach Abraham-1991-94

The native triadelphia continued in West Virginia and while he needed some time to only result in one game in his first two years, he saw in his third season with 10 catches for 174 yards and a score. But it was his last year, in which he made a legend in many eyes, since a successful campaign with 41 catches for 752 yards and 6 touchdowns, including the 60-yard touchdown, defeated the leadership of Pitt in 1994 in the last seconds after the bankers' banks.

K Paul Woodside-1981-84

Woodside is another member of the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, but his career originally started as a walk-on from Falls Church, Virginia. During his four -year career -Woodside, Woodside would describe the record book of West Virginia Kicking Record and set up school records for goal recordings (323 points), field goals (74) and field gates (93). He also met 79.6 percent of his field attempts. As an all-American of the first team, he will be remembered forever for many things, including his field gate of the fourth quarter to lead the mountaineers in 1984 over Penn State.

LB Scott Gyorko-2001-04

A university product that continued in West Virginia after not receiving any offers outside the high school and certainly had the best of his college experience. Gyorko started his career as a backup, but switched to a starting role in which he ended his four -year career with 222 Tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 3 forced Fumbles.

LB Ben Collins-1998-2002

Collins came to West Virginia after an excellent career in North Marion, where he was more known for his offensive talents. He played defense in Morgantown and after developing as a starter with 98 tackles and 4 duels for losses and interceptors during his senior season. He was also the player who brought his gloves to thwart Pittsburgh's attempt to play in the 2002 fight.

FB MOE FOFANA-2001-03

Entered the program in Maryland and while he finally received a scholarship for his efforts, impressed as a block during his career. Fofana only touched the ball five times for 28 yards and a touchdown during his time in Morgantown, but earned the respect and trust of many due to its blocking.

WR Grantis Bell-1985-88

Bell was initially recruited from Südflorida as a walk -in observation so that he created the list, even though he was classified in his career at an early stage. He played 46 passes for 819 yards and six touchdowns every four years, including a touchdown gripper in the Fiesta Bowl for mountaineers.

LB Justin Arndt-2013-16

Arndt started his career as a walk-on from Martinburg and played a role in special teams and has a reserve with the mountaineers in the first three years. But in his last season Arndt increased his game and deserved a starting role in which he would make 84 duels, 7.5 duels for losses and 3 sacks admirable.

DB Rich Rodriguez-1982-84

Rodriguez is much more known for what happened after his game days when he became head coach, but he spent three years in the field for the mountaineers and made a significant game in Penn State Game in 1984 to take off. He ended his career with 53 tackles and 3 picks. Rodriguez trained the mountaineers before traveling to Michigan, but finally returned.

Ol Nick Malone 2019-2024

Malone, a Morgantown product, spent six years with the football program and developed into a player who was wearing redshirt and was used as a rotary piece in the offensive line and as a special team as well as a particularly short end in a starter. Malone started 17 games, including all 13 last season in the right tackle and was a productive option for mountaineers in advance. He received a scholarship offer.

DB Malachi Ruffin 2018-2023

Ruffin went to West Virginia after an attempt and was mainly used as a deep piece to start his career before appearing in his last two seasons at Cornerback as a key piece of the rotation in the defensive backfield. Ruffin took 10 starts in his last two years and ended his career with 77 tackles, 12 passports and 3 picks.

WR Hudson Clement – 2022-24

Clement went from Martinsburg to West Virginia and had an effect as a real newcomer with 22 catches for 480 yards and 4 touchdowns after a redshirt and received a scholarship offer. In the second year, Clement continued to play with 575 yards and 3 points well, but entered the transfer portal.

WR Preston Fox – 2020 current

Fox went from Morgantown to West Virginia and received a scholarship in the course of his career. The wide recipient moved in 43 passes for 548 yards and 3 touchdowns and set up in the return game as an important special team player. Fox had 37 punt return for 301 yards and added 476 yards at 19 Kick -Returns.

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