Washington State Cougars linebacker Nate DeRider, a fifth-year senior who came to the school as a walk-on, got the gift of a lifetime last night when he was officially awarded a scholarship for the upcoming season.
That hasn’t always been newsworthy, given that walk-ons have been earning their way onto scholarship for as long as there have been walk-ons and scholarships. But lately, teams have taken to planning elaborate announcements to celebrate the occasion — and then recording the fun.
On this night, DeRider got up in front of the team, said a few words about himself, then went to sit down — but Leach wanted more.