A kid my son had played against in HS was at fall practice at my son's college his freshman year. I knew his parents a little bit...and had heard he was going to school there, but had no idea whether he was a walk on or had a scholly. Get to the first day of scrimmages and his parents are there. I start talking to them and found out he was a walk on. They honestly had no idea that his chance of making the team was essentially zero. He was a good HS player, but not a D1 caliber IF. He was there thru the fall....then let go. His parents seemed stunned that this could happen. I guess my point is that you need to know the situation. Granted, this one is probably stranger than most....and even strange because I know the kid and parents have friends who have gone thru this and could have given them some insight.