Went to walk on for Huskers

COLUMBUS -- Judd Went will have the opportunity to follow in his father’’s footsteps.

Went joined the University of Nebraska football program as a walk-on when he signed an acceptance letter in front of family and friends in the Lakeview High School weight room. His father, Ryan, was also a walk-on for the Huskers in 1980.

He said getting the opportunity to play as a walk-on is something his dad will never forget.

“My dad told me it was one of the best experiences he ever had,” Went said. “He said he never regretted it, and it’s a good honor to go down there and play.”

Went joins 26 scholarship signees, with two transfers and 30 walk-ons that will be a part of the Nebraska program next fall.

The opportunity for Went to join the Huskers as a walk-on is perfect timing, since the program hired head coach Bo Pelini in December, along with numerous assistant coaches including Barney Cotton and Ron Brown, who come back to join the Nebraska staff.

Cotton was the one that made the call to Went about walking on at Nebraska. Went said the decision was made after that call. He turned down scholarships from Hastings College, Dana, Concordia, Doane, Morningside and Fort Hays State for the chance to walk on at Nebraska.

“How many kids get the opportunity to get a call from a guy like Cotton?” Went said. “Since the program is starting over and on a new page with the new coaching staff, I feel it’s a good opportunity.”

Went will have the chance to prove he is capable of getting a scholarship. Walk-ons have had success like Todd Peterson, who is a starting wide receiver for the Huskers.

Lakeview coach Kurt Frenzen said he sees Went doing well as a walk-on.

“I believe Judd will go down there and contribute at a high level,” Frenzen said. “He goes down there and gets in the system and understands what expected of him. I believe strongly that he’s not a kid that’s going to go down there and sit on the bench for 4-5 years. He’s a kid that will work hard and have an opportunity to start, and the coaches have made that clear that all players will get treated equally whether they are a scholarship or a walk-on.”

During his time playing for the Vikings, he was a major contributor in their back-to-back Class C-1, District 5 championships seasons.

Went was a three-year starter and saw significant playing time as a freshman, helping Lakeview to four playoff trips.

During his senior season, he helped the Vikings to a 6-3 record while playing offensive tackle and defensive end. He recorded 45 pancake blocks on the offensive line while coming away with 25 unassisted tackles, 28 assisted, two tackles for losses, two sacks and a fumble recovery on defense.

He earned first team All-State in the Omaha World Herald, Lincoln Journal Star and Huskerland Prep Report and was named all-district offensive and defensive line from 2005-07.

“This will be the first time in four years where Judd won’t be a contributor to the Lakeview program,” Frenzen said. “It’s one of those things where you have guys like Judd that come through the program, and you appreciate them when they are here. When they are gone, you learn to appreciate them more.”

Went said he can’t wait to play for Pelini in the fall.

“It’s a great honor for me to maybe come down and help the team out a little bit,” Went said. “I went down a few weeks ago and was impressed with all the coaches and everything that was down there. I feel like I made the right choice in going down to Lincoln.”