N-Sider Big Three: 2012 Walk-ons to Watch

Video Highlights: Andy Janovich, Sam Foltz, Jordan Nelson

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By Randy York

Every recruiting season,I like to play a game called Walk-on Pick Three, where I study Nebraska’s football walk-on class and try to pick three players I think will end up earning scholarships. Even though I’ve kept my projections to myself in the past, I’m willing to go out on a limb for this special class and share the three walk-ons I consider to be the best bets to earn a scholarship.

Please understand this is amateur hour for me. Most highlight videos look good to me and having watched one for every confirmed walk-on in this class, my opinion should be rated no higher than yours. The only difference is, I was in position to ask Jeff Jamrog about his opinions of everyone in the class. When the NU football Academic All-American and assistant athletic director for football, shared his thoughts on certain members of this class, they did not detract from the opinions I had gleaned from statewide prep football followers. So with those qualifiers, let’s introduce the N-Sider Pick Three for this special walk-on class:

Sam Foltz, Grand Island, 6-foot-2, 190-pound athlete: An outstanding athlete, Foltz has great versatility and that ultra-important asset for anyone – outstanding speed. “Sam came to our football camp and ran a 4.47 40, so he has legitimate speed,” Jamrog said. Foltz was first-team all-state on defense. He led his 9-2 team in tackles with 84, including 51 solo stops and four interceptions. He was explosive on offense, too, catching 39 passes for 686 yards and 10 touchdowns. That’s not all folks. He was also the all-state punter. “He runs well, hits well, has great hands and is a great punter,” Jamrog said.

Andy Janovich, Gretna, 6-foot-1, 215-pound fullback: Another standout all-around athlete, who rushed for 799 yards and scored 18 touchdowns, averaging 7.6 yards per carry for Class B state runner-up team. Also recorded 112 tackles for state’s No. 1-rated Class B defense. Was an unbeaten 189-pound state champion in wrestling last year and hopes to repeat that accomplishment as a heavyweight this year. He loves contact and reminds Jamrog of a certain fullback once known for busting faceguards and helmets. “He’s probably the closest I’ve seen to Cory Schlesinger,” Jamrog said.

Jordan Nelson, Omaha Burke, 5-foot-8, 175 pound running back: Nelson is one premier athlete I had the privilege to see play in person. On a Monday night at Memorial Stadium, I watched him rush for 177 yards on 18 carries and catch three passes for 74 more yards in Burke’s Class A state championship loss to Lincoln Southeast. Nelson finished the season with 1,791 yards rushing. He scored 13 rushing touchdowns and caught 25 passes for 700 more yards and eight additional touchdowns. “Jordan’s a good back,” Jamrog said. “He reminds me a little of Rex Burkhead because he can make people miss.”

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