NORMAN, Okla. — Sooners head coach Bob Stoops shocked the team and center Erick Wren Monday afternoon when he awarded the senior walk-on a scholarship.

“It was surprising,” Wren said. “I did not expect it to happen like that. You know, I was just expecting a phone call or something, and for my team and my coach to do that, that was truly amazing.

“It’s pretty exciting. I can tell you that. It’s a moment I’ve been waiting for for a long time.”

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Extremely proud of how hard @ErickWren has worked for himself and his teammates. He has truly earned this scholarship! pic.twitter.com/OOivtCufaz — Bob Stoops (@OU_CoachStoops) September 26, 2016

His offensive coordinator, Lincoln Riley, of course, can relate to Wren as a former walk-on himself.

“Yeah, it was a great moment,” Riley said. “And I always, I don’t want to say sympathize, but I feel for those guys a little bit more because I was there and I know what that feels like. I know the hardships they go through, the sacrifice to do it, and for him to have done it as long as he has and kind of take the journey that he has and then end up on a field at a place like this is pretty special.”

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Upon hearing the news, Wren called his father, who was obviously as ecstatic as his son.

“Oh yeah, most definitely,” Wren said. “You know, my dad tells me not to worry about it. He told me just to focus on football and school, you know, and my relationship with God. First of all, I give all honor to God because he was the main contributor in this. He gave me the talent and ability to make it this far in my life.”

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So, now Wren is no longer the walk-on, but the scholarship lineman who steps into the starting center role alongside fellow former Mesquite (Texas) Horn product Jonathan Alvarez, who has shifted to guard following Cody Ford’s injury.

But, as the video of the moment he earned his scholarship suggests, the team already embraced him as one of its own, scholarship or not.

“Well, my team and my coaches have always made me feel a part of everybody else,” Wren said. “I mean, I don’t feel a difference. I mean, of course talking to you guys and all the attention, yeah, you get that, but as far as the love that the team has shown, that’s always been there.”

Perhaps he’ll command more respect in the huddle, now, though.

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