As House Settlement Threatens Future of Walk-Ons, Linebacker Terrell Foster Wants to ‘Grind’ at Georgia

In an evolving college football landscape reshaped by the House v. NCAA settlement and the advent of player compensation, the traditional path of the walk-on — a long-celebrated symbol of grit and perseverance — faces an uncertain future. Once seen as a badge of honor, walking on to a major program is now a path that may no longer exist in its current form. But for Georgia linebacker Terrell Foster, that uncertainty only fuels his drive.

Foster, a preferred walk-on in Georgia’s 2025 recruiting class, didn’t come to Athens for headlines or NIL deals. He came to grind. As the nation debates the future of non-scholarship athletes in college football, Foster remains locked in, focused on earning his place on one of the nation’s most elite rosters. While others may see a roadblock, Foster sees an opportunity.

The House settlement, which could dramatically shift how college athletes are compensated, has sparked concerns among coaches, administrators, and walk-on hopefuls across the country. The proposed revenue-sharing model, which mandates schools to allocate a portion of their revenue to athletes, will likely come with roster limitations. Programs may be forced to make tough financial decisions, and many fear that walk-on opportunities will be among the first casualties.

For schools like Georgia — a powerhouse in the SEC with deep recruiting pipelines and a championship pedigree — walk-ons have historically been a critical part of the culture. Kirby Smart, Georgia’s head coach, has long championed the development of walk-ons, many of whom have blossomed into key contributors and even NFL prospects. But now, that developmental pipeline could shrink, or even disappear altogether.

Enter Terrell Foster. At 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, Foster brings the kind of old-school linebacker mentality that’s tailor-made for Georgia’s bruising defensive scheme. He’s not flashy. He doesn’t light up social media. What he does is hit hard, work tirelessly, and embrace the grind — all traits that made him an appealing addition to Georgia’s roster, even without a scholarship.

“I know what I signed up for,” Foster said during spring workouts. “There’s no promise of playing time, no NIL package waiting for me. But that’s never been what this is about. I came here to compete, to get better, and to earn everything. That’s how I’ve always done it.”

Foster’s journey to Athens wasn’t lined with five-star accolades or All-American banners. A standout at a small high school in rural Georgia, he played both ways, led his team in tackles, and was often the first to arrive and the last to leave practice. He sent his own film to coaches. He went to every camp he could afford. He wasn’t ignored — but he wasn’t the priority either.

Georgia offered him a preferred walk-on spot, meaning he had a guaranteed place on the roster without a scholarship. For Foster, it was all he needed. A shot.

And in a world where opportunity is becoming harder to come by for non-scholarship players, Foster is determined to make the most of his.

“You can look at it like the door is closing for walk-ons,” Foster said. “Or you can look at it like, ‘I got in before it closed.’ That’s how I see it. I’m here, and I’m going to prove I belong.”

Georgia’s coaching staff has praised Foster’s approach, noting that his work ethic stands out even in a program loaded with blue-chip talent. Linebackers coach Glenn Schumann, known for molding NFL-ready defenders, has taken notice of Foster’s instincts and willingness to do the dirty work.

“He’s not here to be a practice body,” Schumann said. “You can tell the difference between guys who are just happy to be on the team and guys who want to earn a spot. Terrell wants it. He’s not afraid of the challenge.”

Walk-ons like Foster have long been a staple of college football lore. Programs like Georgia have celebrated players such as Stetson Bennett, who famously began his career as a walk-on before leading the Bulldogs to back-to-back national championships and becoming an NFL Draft pick. These stories of underdogs rising through the ranks have been part of what makes college football special.

But with the financial realities of the House settlement looming, those stories may become rarer.

Under the proposed changes, schools will be required to pay student-athletes directly, possibly up to $20 million annually. That money has to come from somewhere. Many insiders believe that schools will cut walk-on spots, reduce roster sizes, or divert resources away from players who aren’t guaranteed to contribute.

For programs like Georgia, which currently carries over 100 players on the roster including walk-ons, the need to scale back could change the very DNA of how teams are built. It’s not just about finances — it’s about opportunity. And it’s that opportunity that Terrell Foster is trying to seize while he still can.

“I don’t take a single rep for granted,” Foster said. “I know every time I step on that field, it could be the last time a kid like me gets a shot at this level. That pushes me every day.”

Despite the growing noise surrounding the settlement and its implications, Foster remains singularly focused on improvement. He’s been active in film sessions, frequently meeting with coaches to break down technique and schemes. In practice, he’s earned praise for his effort on special teams and scout-team reps, often taking on roles to mimic opponents’ best players.

His teammates have embraced him as well. In a locker room filled with future NFL talent, Foster has found camaraderie and respect, not pity or condescension. They recognize the effort. They see the hunger.

“He doesn’t say much, but you notice him,” said senior linebacker Smael Mondon. “He’s in every drill, finishing every sprint, watching extra film. That’s the kind of guy who makes the team better.”

As the House settlement nears finalization, questions linger about how programs will adapt. Will walk-ons become relics of a bygone era? Will elite programs only carry scholarship players moving forward? No one has definitive answers yet, but the uncertainty has cast a long shadow over players like Foster.

Still, he’s undeterred.

“I didn’t come here with expectations of it being easy,” Foster said. “I knew what I was walking into. This is Georgia — one of the toughest places to play, let alone walk on. But I chose this. I want to be tested.”

While the legal and financial frameworks of college football continue to evolve, Foster’s story serves as a reminder of what the sport has always been about at its core: passion, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

Even if the walk-on path becomes more limited in the years ahead, players like Foster show why it has always mattered — and why it still does.

“He’s the kind of kid who makes your program better,” Kirby Smart said recently. “He may not have the stars next to his name, but he’s got the heart, the toughness, and the drive. That’s what Georgia football is about.”

Foster doesn’t know what the future holds for walk-ons like him, but he’s not wasting time worrying. He’s lifting, running, watching film, and preparing — just like every other Bulldog on the roster.

“If this is the last era of walk-ons,” he said, “then I’m going to make sure I represent it the right way. No shortcuts. No excuses. Just the grind.”

As Georgia chases another championship and the sport around it undergoes seismic changes, players like Terrell Foster remind everyone what makes college football special. Stars and scholarships may steal headlines, but it’s the grinders — the ones who fight for every inch — who embody the spirit of the game.