San Juan Hills linebacker Jake Javorsky did not get a scholarship.
He did get an opportunity.
The All-Orange County first team selection accepted a preferred walk-on offer from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
A preferred walk-on does not receive financial aid from a college. The athlete generally has a place on the roster assured and does have a chance to receive financial aid — a scholarship – in the athlete’s second year at the institution. Preferred walk-ons can get cut from the team, too.
Javorsky was the Sea View League defensive player of the year in the 2023 season. He had 130 tackles, including 26 for loss, and 7.5 sacks and played at tight end occasionally. He is listed at 6-foot, 220 pounds.
Javorsky said Cal Poly SLO coach Paul Wullf contacted him, and from there Javorsky conversed a few times with Cal Polo SLO linebackers coach Jake Casteel. Casteel also made a visit to San Juan Hills last month.
“A few days later (Casteel) said they wanted to offer me as a preferred walk-on,” Javorsky said. “I was excited about that because I was not being recruited as much as some other athletes.”
Javorsky, who has a 3.84 grade-point average and is interested in studying marketing, visited Cal Poly San Luis Obispo this past Friday. He played in the Orange County football all-star game Saturday.
San Juan Hills coach Robert Frith said his coaching staff and Javorsky worked hard to find a college football program that would be interested in Javorsky. They found success with the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo coaches.
“They believed in him,” Frith said, “and they believed in what we are saying, about what a good player he is.”
Frith said Javorsky has what it takes to become a scholarship player at Cal Poly SLO.
“He’s going to get the chance to play,” Frith said. “He’s going to do well and maybe they’ll throw some (scholarship) money at him in a year.”
