The season for many college football players is over. But some of those players are looking to move up to bigger schools plus high school players without scholarships want to keep their dreams alive. College coaches everywhere are looking for walk-on players to be diamonds in the rough but none more urgently than North Carolina.

Getting walk-ons can be especially important to schools such as UNC which has had some scholarships removed by NCAA sanction.

Walk-ons don’t get all the advantages of scholarship players of course, but they do get most of them. Walk-ons don’t get meals or housing paid for, but generally have the same access to all the other services. such as academics and career counseling, and all the facilities, such as the weight room and the academic center.

Several former walk-ons (many eventually earn scholarships) and current walk-ons started or otherwise played this year at Carolina. The most notable are Tommy Heffernan, who started nine games at linebacker this season, and Tommy Hibbard, who has been the starting punter for the past two seasons.

Due to the injury to Casey Barth, walk-on Thomas Moore was the place kicker for the final two games of the season. Defensive back and walk-on Pete Mangum started a game this season as did wide receiver Nic Platt. Other walk-ons who saw significant action were defensive back Jeff Schoettmer and guard Peyton Jenest. Special teamers Adam Curry and Alan Champagne also saw action.

Look for even more walk-ons to have an impact at Carolina over the next three years until the Heels have their full complement of scholarships. There are 15 slots that need to be filled by non-scholarship players.