Leading up to the Ohio State game, there was a lot of talk about the walk-on program with interim Athletic Director Dave Rimington making the media rounds and making the storied tradition his primary focus. Well Saturday, before the game, Nebraska made another addition to its walk-on class.
The Huskers picked up a preferred walk-on when Lincoln Southwest long-snapper, tight end and defensive end Cameron Pieper committed to the Huskers.
Blessed to announce my commitment to the University of Nebraska. #GBR 🔴🏈 pic.twitter.com/FE5R73bm50
— Cameron Pieper (@PieperPieper) October 14, 2017
Pieper was getting interest from many schools including Iowa, Iowa State, Wyoming and South Dakota and had taken some visits this season. When I saw him play earlier this season, I kept an eye on his long-snapping since Nebraska is talking to him about playing that position and he did very well snapping throughout the game.
I got a chance to speak with Pieper briefly on the field pregame where he told me about his commitment and he couldn’t have been more fired up. So, what led him to make the commitment?
“I’ve wanted to go here my whole life, so it’s very surreal right now. I’m just letting it all sink in. When I told my dad, he got teary-eyed. My dad played here (former Husker walk-on and scout team member Aaron Pieper) so I think it was always his dream for me to play here too.”
When Rimington talks about what makes the walk-on program so special, these are the types of stories he has in mind. There will never be a question if Pieper “gets” what it means to play for Nebraska.