By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Max Halpin’s football career at Western Kentucky University ended much better than it started. After spending the first two seasons as a walk-on and overcoming a serious back injury, the Lakeside Park resident became an award-winning center on one of the best offensive lines in the country.
The self-confidence and perseverance Halpin needed to succeed is an uplifting story that resonates with sports fans, but he doubts if he’ll be hearing from any book authors or movie producers.
“I wouldn’t go that far,” he said with a chuckle. “But it’s definitely been a fun ride and I wouldn’t change a thing that happened for anything. It’s been something special.”
Halpin, 22, ended his college career in grand fashion this season. The 6-foot-3, 295-pound senior center played on a Western Kentucky offensive unit that was among the best in the nation. The Hilltoppers were ranked No. 1 in points per game (45.5) and No. 5 in yards per game (523.1) among NCAA Division I teams prior to this weekend’s bowl games.
The Covington Catholic High School graduate was so effective at his position that Conference USA coaches named him first-team all-conference and he was on the watch list for the Rimington Award that’s goes to the premier offensive center in each division of NCAA football.
Earlier this season, Halpin was nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy that goes to the college football player who began his career as a walk-on and became an outstanding performer.
“Definitely the success of the O-line and the success of our team boosted my publicity and let people know about me,” he said. “I believe our O-line is the best in the country. I think what we’ve done together really boosted me up in the discussion for the Burlsworth and everything else.”
Western Kentucky won the Conference USA championship for the second consecutive year and defeated Memphis, 51-31, in the Boca Raton Bowl to finish the season with an 11-3 record. The Hilltoppers picked up 598 total yards in the season finale behind the dominating play of its veteran offensive line.
Jeff Brohm resigned as head coach of the Hilltoppers before they played in the bowl game and a member of his staff was named interim head coach. Halpin said that unexpected change created some tension among the players.
“It was a little rough the first couple of days, but after that everybody kind of banded together and kept to our ultimate goal to win the bowl game,” he said. “All the seniors set the right example. We all kept together and did the right things to keep the team on the right track.”
The bowl game was televised on ESPN. Dave Wirth, who was CovCath’s head football coach when Halpin played there, was glad to see his former player’s college career end on a high note.
“I’ve been coaching 21 years now and Max’s success story down there (at Western Kentucky) is one that’s really near and dear to me,” Wirth said. “As a high school coach, that’s why you do it — to see kids like him go on and make something of themselves and accomplish big goals that they set.”
Halpin was recruited by several smaller colleges after his senior year in high school, but he decided to join the Western Kentucky team as a walk-on instead. It took him two years to earn a scholarship and then he suffered a herniated disc in his back while lifting weights.
He played three games before the pain got so bad that coaches had to pull him from the starting lineup. He needed surgery to correct the problem and recovered in time to play in every game during the last two seasons.
The Hilltoppers coaching staff was glad to have Halpin back at center, setting up the run blocking schemes and pass coverage assignments on the offensive line.
“When they signal in the play I tell the rest of the offensive line what the play is and then I scan the defensive front,” he said. “When I figure out what the defensive front is I make the calls to tell the O-line what to do and make any adjustments based on what the defense does before the snap.”
Halpin’s mental capacity to make those adjustments and his physical ability as a blocker helped the Western Kentucky offense rank among the best in the nation. Now he’s waiting to see if he’ll attract any attention from NFL scouts.
Instead of looking for jobs with the degree in business administration that he received last month, Halpin hired an agent after the season ended and will begin sport specific training sessions in January with other NFL prospects at a training center in Ohio.
“I’m going to go 100 percent football to see if I can make it,” he said. “I’m probably not going to get invited to a combine (for top prospects). If that doesn’t happen, they always have a pro day at (Western Kentucky) and all the NFL teams come there.”
Halpin’s high school coach said there’s no doubt in his mind that he’ll be on an NFL roster this spring.
“I definitely think he’s got a shot at a late round draft choice,” Wirth said. “Worst case scenario, he’s going to sign a (free agent) contract the day after draft day and repeat the process he did down at Western, which is go make another dream come true.”