Six Walk-Ons Earn Scholarships

Will Hastings during the 2016 season opener against Clemson (Photo: Auburn Athletics/Dakota Sumpter)

Thursday was a big day for six Auburn Tiger walk-ons, as they were awarded scholarships for the 2017 season.

News first broke on twitter, as wide receivers coach Kodi Burns posted a photo of him with wide receivers Will Hastings and Griffin King with the caption: "Big S/O to my guys that paid their own way to be a part of this special Auburn WR family! Not Anymore!!! #Scholarship!!! #WDE"

Hastings, who enrolled at Auburn as a placekicker, converted to wide receiver. He caught 11 passes for 98 yards during the 2016 campaign. The Little Rock, Arkansas native is expected to have a breakout season in 2017. King was a contributor to the special teams in five games last season.

Turns out, four other Tigers earned scholarships on Thursday night as well.

James Crepea of AL.com reports that H-Back Keenan Sweeney, offensive lineman Tucker Brown, defensive lineman Gary Walker Jr, and linebacker Chase Ritter all earned scholarships for the upcoming season.

Brown helped the team last season by serving as a blocking tight end for special teams. Walker played in three games last season, with his crowning achievement being a tackle that resulted in a safety against ULM on October 1. Ritter, Sweeney, and King each made at least one appearance in 2016.

Reactions: