Purdue Football News

8-19-06

Three walkons awarded scholarships; six others keep them

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Per his custom, Purdue head football coach Joe Tiller has awarded deserving walkons with scholarships.

This year, Tiller chose fifth-year cornerback Paul Dubler, junior cornerback Aaron Lane and fifth-year kicker-punter Casey Welch.

Four other fifth-year players - safety Pat Kohtz, wide receiver Chase Lecklider, offensive guard Dan McGowen and offensive guard Nick Raben - will retain their grant-in-aid, as will junior defensive tackle Jermaine Guynn and junior tight end Jerry Wasikowski.

Dubler, from Gurnee, Ill., is in his third season with the Boilermakers. He has appeared in one game, against Syracuse on Sept. 5, 2004, and recorded one solo tackle. Dubler is an organizational leadership and supervision major who served a sports marketing internship for a pro rugby team in London this summer.

Lane, from Fort Wayne, Ind., transferred to Purdue from the University of Saint Francis in 2005. He did not play for the Boilermakers last season but this spring received the team's Newcomer Award on defense after moving from running back to cornerback. Lane is a law and society major.

Welch, from Ford City, Pa., transferred to Purdue from West Virginia University in 2003 and has yet to see any action with the Boilermakers. As a high school senior he was recognized for "contributing the most to the good of the team." Welch has earned his degree in industrial technology and will take graduate school classes this fall.

Tiller now has awarded 34 scholarships to walkons over the last 10 years.