University of North Carolina Athletics
Carolina's Walk-On Success Stories
October 20, 2000 | Football
Oct. 20, 2000
By Brooke Eidenmiller, Media Relations Student Assistant
Dedication, hard work and patience are the foundations upon which future success is often built. On the athletic field, a love of the game is also a requirement. Walk-ons athletes spend lots of time in the shadow of star recruits and must wait for their turn. Although their paths are not always easy, the rewards can be great.
For seniors Ross McAllister and David Bomar and juniors Anthony Perkins and Jeff Reed, perseverance has paid off as they emerge as Carolina football success stories.
Ross McAllister -- Defensive Tackle
A fifth-year senior, McAllister has developed into a true team leader, building upon the success of two solid seasons. After seeing his playing time increase each
season, the defensive end from Dunwoody, Ga., was awarded a scholarship prior to the 1998 season. He played in all 11 contests last year, starting nine of
them, and has become one of the most consistent performers on the defensive line this season. McAllister continues to contribute in big ways.
"I want to play well each game," he said. "In the past I've had the tendency to play one big game and then have a let-down the next week. One of my goals for this season is to not have as many let downs."
Over the last four seasons, McAllister's off-season conditioning has increased his speed, strength and reaction time. "I don't have to think about the plays going on anymore--I just react," he said. "I don't have the natural speed to develop a really dominant game, so being able to react to plays more quickly has helped me a lot." Two sacks against Wake Forest quarterback C.J. Leak during the Sept. 9 contest attest to his quick reaction time.
McAllister admits that the first year as a walk-on is frustrating and offers advice to others in that position: "Set goals early on and stick with them," he said. "Realize that you won't get looked at seriously at first, but keep with it and work your hardest."
David Bomar -- Safety
Gaining the coaches' attention with his work ethic and big-hitting capabilities, David Bomar was named the "Most Improved Defensive Player" by his coaches last
year. Bomar hopes to continue to improve and says his goals are "to play as well as I can, to help my team win and to finish up the season with a victory in a
bowl game."
Bomar has created several big plays for the Tar Heels and was awarded a scholarship prior to the start of his junior campaign. He took over as starting strong safety late in the season last year after Quinton Savage was injured, and responded by averaging better than 14 tackles a game in his four starts. He produced one of the most memorable defensive performances against North Carolina State recording a career-high 19 tackles and teaming with Errol Hood at the 1-yard line to stop Chis Coleman and preserve a 10-6 UNC victory. For his efforts in the win, Bomar was named the National Defensive Player of the Week by The Charlotte Touchdown Club.
"I was so thankful to be in that situation with the chance to make the stop," he says. "It could have so easily been the other way around and we could have lost the game."
Whether he's experiencing elation after a big play or frustration after a missed opportunity, Bomar knows of at least one person who can understand his feelings. His father quarterbacked and captained the Carolina football team in the late 1960s, and this common bond has brought them closer together.
"Knowing that my Dad has played has really helped me out," he says. "He can relate to whatever situation I'm going through."
Bomar's experiences have taught him that in order to walk on the team, you have to love playing football and you have to be willing to work hard.
"If you like the game, you need to pursue your dreams and not let anything stand in your way," Bomar says.
Anthony Perkins -- Defensive Tackle
A philosophy utilized on the football field has become a personal philosophy of life for defensive tackle Anthony Perkins. A junior out of Holly Springs, N.C.,
Perkins believes in giving 100 percent in everything he does. Coaches noticed this maximum-effort attitude on the field and awarded him a scholarship prior to the
1999 season. He played in each game last season and started once. This season he has started all six games and earned the weekly coaches' Player-of-the-Week
award for his efforts against Marshall. Last week against NC State, Perkins recorded his first career sack.
Perkins developed his work ethic while playing high school football. As he got older and as the game increased in speed, he realized that it would take more effort to beat the man across from him. Perkins rose to the challenge, exerting more effort and performing at his highest capabilities. Over time, he adapted this philosophy to his life outside of athletics.
"I know if I give 100 percent, then there's a good chance that I will win my individual battle," says Perkins. "It's not a guarantee, but if you give your maximum effort, you can't ask for anything more. The technique, the ability, the athleticism--that all will come over time, but giving your all is one of the basic fundamentals of becoming a good player."
Older teammates discovered Perkin's abilities early on--they nicknamed him "Full Tilt" the second day of practice his freshman year. Perkin's relationship with his teammates has been an important part of his Carolina football experience.
"This sport requires a lot of camaraderie, teamwork and trust," he said. "I like that. I like knowing that when I'm on the field, I can trust those 10 other people and that I have an obligation to do my job so that those 10 people can trust me as well."
Although he enjoyed spending time with his family at Christmas last year, Perkins wants to be somewhere else this year playing in a bowl game.
"Things haven't happened exactly the way we wanted them to (so far this season), but it is far from over."
Jeff Reed -- Place-kicker
Place-kicker Jeff Reed is another former walk-on who has earned a starting position on the 2000 Tar Heel squad. Torbush awarded the Charlotte native a
grant-in-aid early this season, and Reed has two years of eligibility remaining. Ready to contribute, Reed is savoring his newfound opportunities.
"It's been a great experience," he says. "I got chills my first day in Kenan Stadium--but you never really know how it is until you're on the field in the action and know your teammates and your coaches have confidence in you to get the job done."
Reed is gaining confidence as the season rolls on. Although he had not kicked in a college game prior to the Carolina opener against Tulsa, he has shown consistency and accuracy throughout the early games of the season, making 8 of 9 field goal attempts this season. Reed says successful kickoffs would not be possible without the help of a great coverage team.
"They're making big plays every game," he says, "which can be a real momentum turner. If you don't have confidence in them, it's tough to be consistent and accurate. I know that every kick is on me because I know that the snapper and the holder will be there."
Currently tied for 13th in the country in field goals, Reed made a career-long 48-yard field goal against Marshall, equaling the 11th longest in UNC history.
Reed attributes his present success to great coaching, hard work and a couple of lessons from former kickers.
"Josh McGee, Derrick DePriest and Brian Schmitz really helped me by telling me what I was doing wrong and by making sure I didn't miss two or three kicks in a row," he said. He also realizes that present opportunities have come through playing the waiting game: "It's all a matter of dedication and waiting for your turn. At times it gets tough, but in the end, it pays off. Right now, I'm just...ecstatic."
