WATCH: Bryan Harsin surprises walk-on linebacker Jake Levant with full scholarship
Jake Levant is a walk-on no more after Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin surprised the third-year player with a full scholarship. In a video tweeted by the Auburn football account, Harsin throws Levant for a loop before dropping the good news.
With the team huddled around after practice, Harsin harps on his players about throwing their hands up when they’re “guilty” of something — a penalty or the like. Who had their hands up on Saturday, according to Harsin? Well of course it was Levant, who he singled out in front of the whole team.
“Threw up your hands like you were guilty,” Harsin said. “Guilty of getting a full scholarship today.”
After teammates mobbed Levant in the video, it cuts to Harsin and Levant talking.
“You were a little worried there, weren’t you? You were in trouble there? No, not in trouble at all,” Harsin said to Levant.
He turned and began addressing his team before turning back to Levant.
“Don’t forget all eyes are on you. All eyes are on you, every single thing you do every single day. And I promise you whether it’s this or any other moment in your life, all eyes are on you and hard work does not go unnoticed,” Harsin said. “You deserve it, proud of you.”
After a second mobbing of Levant by his Auburn teammates, a bevy of individuals come and congratulate the newest scholarship player for the Auburn Tigers.
Levant isn’t the only person Harsin has elevated this offseason
Harsin has immense trust in Jeff Schmedding, and that trust turned into an amazing opportunity for the defensive mind at Auburn.
After serving as Harsin’s defensive coordinator at Boise State, the Tigers head coach brought him as he left Idaho to come to the SEC. During his first season at Auburn, Schmedding was the Tigers’ assistant head coach, linebackers coach and defensive run game coordinator.
Promoted to defensive coordinator earlier this offseason, Schmedding recognizes opportunities like these don’t come around often.
“The opportunity to be a coordinator in the SEC, to me it’s the opportunity of a lifetime,” stated Schmedding. “There’s no doubt about it, and I don’t look at it lightly. I mean, it’s one of those things you’ve worked a long time for, and you’re in this position. But try to stick with the day-to-day process. We’ve got a great staff, and a great vision that Coach Harsin gives us. We’re going to stay the course on that.
“Humbled, and hungry to get this defense where it needs to go.”