Byrum Has Walk-On Opportunity From U-M
Although he has several FCS and lower-division scholarship offer to play at the next level, a preferred walk-on opportunity from Michigan is one that Sweetwater (Tenn.) offensive lineman Bailey Byrum will seriously consider. He was excited to pick up the opportunity a couple weeks ago, and wants to learn more about the Maize and Blue.
“Coach [Director of Player Personnel Chris] Partridge called my athletic director and told him,” Byrum explained. “When he called, he told my coach to have me call him. I called Coach Partridge and got a chance to talk to him. When we were on the phone with him, Coach Harbaugh was in the room, so I got a chance to talk to him, too. Coach Harbaugh said it’s a very great honor. He explained the way they do their walk-ons, and it sounded pretty great.
“It was a pretty cool experience, actually. I’ve been receiving mail from them, and then they asked for my grades and stuff. We sent those, and then they just called Coach Martin and extended the preferred walkon offer. It’s pretty exciting.”
U-M is casting a wide net on the preferred walk-on offer front, extending opportunities to prospects coast-to-coast. Those who do join the program will have a chance to compete for scholarships if they prove themselves to be worthy while in the Winged Helmet.
The 6-7, 315-pound Byrum, who has been on unofficials to a few FCS programs and Georgia Tech so far this fall, will have to weigh the opportunity provided by Michigan against those from schools that intend to put him on scholarship from the outset. Playing at the highest level is a dream for him, so it’s not such an easy choice.
“I have not thought about that yet,” he admitted. “Our season just ended, so we’ll start thinking more about those things. I’m going to start working on that, and possibly however long it takes for me to make a great decision for myself. Of course, academics are big for me, tradition, atmosphere, where I fit in the most. Of course, I also want a great football program.”
A program like Michigan could use offensive linemen of Byrum’s caliber, especially if he’s willing to come and work toward a scholarship, rather than needing one straight out of high school. He was an All-District offensive lineman - sharing the area’s offensive lineman of the year honor - even though his team finished with just a 5-5 record in their first year under a new head coach.
An early end to his high school season could be a benefit to his recruiting process, though. The U-M coaches have invited him to attend their season-ending rivalry game against Ohio State in just over a week, and that’s something he may be able to make work.
“We might try to get a few more [visits] in,” he said. “Coach has invited me up for the Ohio State game, so we might try to go to that. It would be a great experience.”
If he likes what he sees, it may not be the last time he’s on the field in Michigan Stadium.