Nebraska Football: Grant Tagge epitomizes a walk-on player

Stories like the one Grant Tagge has are exactly what epitomizes the walk-on program.

For those who think the last name sounds familiar, it should. He is related to Jerry Tagge, the national championship-winning quarterback for Nebraska. Although they are not closely related, the last name definitely holds some weight in Lincoln.

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For now, Grant is trying to make his own mark. From everything I have read about him, he is tough and a hard-worker. That skillset is  exactly the reason why the walk-on program exists. It gives kids like Tagge, who may be overlooked by the larger schools, a chance to make a name for themselves.

As Brian Christopherson of 247Sports notes, Tagge was a two-sport athlete in high school. He was by all accounts a grinder, someone who worked extremely hard. In his senior year, he recorded 110 tackles as a linebacker. With Westside advancing to the Class A State championship, it’s safe to say that his impact was felt defensively.

Now, he looks to be another local kid making an impact for the Cornhuskers. If anything, his hard work and determination to succeed is a testament to the type of homegrown talent the state of Nebraska has created. Some have questioned the  benefit of the walk-on program, suggesting that it takes up valuable spots to land impact recruits.

I myself believe that the walk-on, program and the fact that Frost is making it a big part of Nebraska football, is important. If anything, it gives the local kids a chance to shine. If anything, it gives players like Tagge a chance to continue a family legacy of sorts and live out a dream.

Aside from just continuing a family legacy, it seems like the younger Tagge can play.

When I watch his film, he is aggressive to the ball. He comes up and makes tackles, and doesn’t let the play come to him. He goes to the play. Tagge played both sides of the ball in high school as an outside linebacker and wide receiver. His athleticism was evident at both positions. The speed he had translated well to making disruptive plays on defense. On offense, that speed helped him become a valuable wide receiver target.

My guess is that Nebraska football would use him on the defensive side the ball. They have made an effort to get playmakers at linebacker, and Tagge fits the bill.

Sure, he has a some obstacles to overcome. Nebraska has made linebacker a focus in recruiting. He is going to have to display the same work ethic he did in high school. Work ethic does not seem like a problem for him. If anything, he seems like he can suit up and play right now.

"“I like to bring versatility and toughness to everything,” said Tagge, who is listed on the official Husker roster at 6-2, 185. “Just kind of playing safety in high school, linebacker in high school, rush off the edge. Just kind of doing a little bit of everything. Being versatile. Just knowing what everybody is supposed to do. Kind of being able to communicate and lead people.”"

I hope he can find his way on the team. That would be another great story, and it would further the Nebraska football tradition in his family. Normally, I don’t care too much about tradition. However, it means something to be a Nebraska football player, especially in the state. As long as Tagge can keep the same level of determination and drive that he did at Westside, that should not be a problem.