What does a college football walk-on work out consist of in the D-1A level?

Question
Is it combine based? Like, 40 yard dash time, position drills, broad jump, etc. Or, is it like the movie "Rudy" where you get to wear pads and show what you really got? Side Note: I think the Rudy approach is better because it gives coaches a better understanding on what a players athletic ability really is, versus the combine. One college i have in mind is Penn State.

Answer
Danny
It depends on each team as to how the coach will run the walk on try outs.  Some programs do a combine style for Walk ons only.  Other programs have all walk on integrate into drills with team members and they are evaluated that way.  Other programs have walk on try outs for a day or two and there are certain drills they will run that are position specific when a team is looking to bring in new personnel for a specific position.  

The Rudy approach is the way most teams used to have try out.  I whole heartedly agree with you it is the best way to assess players abilities, but that is the way I walked on in my playing day so I have a bias.  I do not know how Papa Joe holds his try outs.  The one thing for sure is you must be in tip top shape.  Hit the gym hard for strength, core and cario tranning.  Then Run, run and run some more to build speed, quickness and endurance.  These areas will help you get noticed, especially during conditioning drills if you are always one of the top finishers in your group.  Explode during wind sprints.  When a walk on is one of the first 2 or three in each wind sprint the coaches take notice.

During the spring Try outs or Summer try outs the NCAA limits the number of days a team can be in full pads.  So most of the try outs are in shorts and T-shirts, some days Helmets only other days shoulder pads and helmets.  Now days there is little full contact full pads hitting during Spring and Summer camps.  Coaches want to see player's speed, agility, strength, endurance, skills for their position and the fundamentals of the player.

Victor Winnek
NCAA Football Official