Five Walk-Ons Award Scholarships - News, Weather and Sports for Lincoln, NE; KLKNTV.com

Posted by: Matt Lothrop

mlothrop@klkntv.com

Following Saturday's practice Nebraska Coach Bo Pelini awarded five former walk-ons with scholarships.

Spencer Long started every game in 2011 en route to All-Big Ten honors during his sophomore year.

"It's awesome," Spencer Long said. "You know it's just getting recognized for what you do and for the work you put in. It's just great. It's one of the top goals that you have as a walk-on when you come here and it feels great to reach it."

"He's earned his way," Pelini said. "You got to give the guy a ton of credit. He's really turned into a heck of a football player, and put in a tremendous amount of work to get there. It's not easy what he's done."

Seung Hoon Choi stared six games last fall and is expected to start during his senior campaign.

"He's come a long way," Pelini said of Choi, who began playing football in high school. "He's grown up a lot. He's obviously very deserving of a scholarship."

Brett Maher collected All-American honors last fall after going 19-of-23 on field goals.

 "It's a really cool feeling, I'm just glad that all the hard work has paid off," Maher said. "Just like a lot of other guys that got put on today, it's just really rewarding and it makes you think of all the reasons that you've been here and wanted to be here since you were a little kid.:

Justin Blatchford appeared in all 13 games last season and is one of the leaders on special teams.

"I guess I wasn't really expecting it," Blatchford said. "I've just been working towards it and it's always been a goal of mine. I'm just very thankful that it came true. It's definitely a day I'll remember because it's something you look forward to growing up."

Norris grad Justin Jackson is one of three in the mix for the starting center job. Jackson reflected on his journey, then left to call his father.

"It hasn't been easy," Jackson said. "I wouldn't trade the road that I had for the world. It's taught me valuable lesions and how I'm going to… it's molded me into the person I'm going to be for the rest of my life. A lot of up and a lot of downs."