As the Tennessee Volunteers continue their impressive football season, one player has been quietly making a significant impact on the team's success - walk-on safety Will Brooks. Despite not being on a scholarship, Brooks has emerged as a standout performer, making crucial plays that have helped the Volunteers secure crucial victories.

Outperforming Scholarship Players, Earning His Spot on the Field

Proving His Worth on the Gridiron

Will Brooks' journey to becoming a key contributor for the Volunteers has been anything but conventional. As a walk-on, he has had to work tirelessly to earn his place on the team, and his performance on the field has more than justified his inclusion. Brooks has positively impacted at least three of the Volunteers' wins this season, making game-changing plays against NC State, Alabama, and Kentucky.In contrast, the team's highly touted scholarship quarterback, Nico Iamaleava, has struggled at times, even negatively impacting the team's lone loss to Arkansas. This stark contrast in performance has led some to question the fairness of the current system, where a walk-on player like Brooks is outperforming a scholarship athlete.

Deserving of a Scholarship and More

The disparity in compensation between Brooks and Iamaleava has not gone unnoticed by the team's supporters. Gary, one of the literary contributors, has pointed out the absurdity of the situation, noting that while Iamaleava is earning $2 million per year, Brooks is not even on a scholarship. This raises the question of whether the current NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) era is truly rewarding the players who are making the biggest impact on the field.Given Brooks' consistent and impactful performances, many believe he deserves not only a scholarship but also significantly more financial compensation than Iamaleava. The argument is that if Iamaleava is earning $2 million per year, Brooks should be receiving at least three times that amount, given his superior on-field contributions.

Exploring Alternative Funding Options

In the face of this perceived injustice, some have suggested that the best course of action might be to start a GoFundMe account for Brooks. This would allow passionate fans and supporters to directly contribute to his financial well-being, ensuring that he is adequately compensated for his efforts. The idea is that with the right level of support, Brooks could not only receive a scholarship but also earn a substantial income, potentially even surpassing that of his highly paid counterpart.

Versatility and Potential for Expanded Roles

Beyond his impressive defensive performances, some have even suggested that Brooks could be utilized in a more versatile role, potentially seeing action in the Wildcat formation to bolster the Volunteers' struggling offense. This would not only showcase his athletic abilities but also further highlight the need for the team to properly recognize and reward his contributions.However, the reality is that the current NIL landscape is still evolving, and the chances of a walk-on safety like Brooks earning the same level of compensation as a highly touted quarterback recruit remain slim. The system, while intended to provide more opportunities for student-athletes, still seems to favor the high-profile, blue-chip recruits over the unsung heroes who are making a tangible impact on the field.

Recognizing the Unsung Hero

Despite the challenges, the growing chorus of support for Will Brooks is a testament to the appreciation and respect he has earned from the Tennessee faithful. His consistent and impactful performances have not gone unnoticed, and the calls for him to be properly recognized and rewarded are only likely to grow louder as the Volunteers continue their successful season.Whether through a scholarship, increased NIL opportunities, or even a crowdfunding initiative, the hope is that Brooks' story will inspire others and serve as a reminder that true talent and dedication can sometimes outshine the hype and expectations surrounding highly touted recruits. In the end, the Volunteers' success may very well hinge on the continued contributions of this unsung hero, and the team's ability to properly recognize and reward his efforts.