Somebody who dropped in on the University of Wisconsin football camp without knowing the players' names or numbers would have a hard time picking out freshman running back Bradie Ewing as a walk-on.

From the first time he showed up on campus, Ewing has shown coaches and teammates he belongs.

"I had him in camp one summer," running backs coach John Settle said of his first exposure to the Richland Center product. "I thought he was good enough to play (at UW). You hear people say, 'Well, he plays in a small league. Competition may not be that (strong).'

"He has come out here and proven every day that he belongs. I put him in against the (number) one defense. It doesn't matter who he's playing against, he makes plays. As a coach, when you've got a young guy who can do that, he's a guy you've got to try and get on the field."

The coaches made an early decision Ewing would be a major contributor on special teams this year. After another strong performance in Saturday's scrimmage, Settle said Ewing is competing with redshirt freshman John Clay to be the third tailback. Clay missed last week with an ankle injury.

"If John Clay doesn't get squared away, (Ewing) is pushing to be that third guy," Settle said.

So, how does it happen that a relatively unheralded walk-on from a small school comes in ready to contribute right away, while more celebrated freshmen from high-profile schools struggle?

"I think it's a pretty neat statement," offensive coordinator Paul Chryst said. "Those (walk-ons) are guys that have — I don't want to say saved us — but made big impacts on us.

"That recruiting process is such an inexact science. (Ewing) is a football player. He doesn't shrink in these situations. He competes in them."

Ewing, 6-foot-1, 212 pounds, is a versatile athlete. Anybody who gets recruited — even as a walk-on — by the UW basketball and football programs has to be talented.

He was an accomplished prep athlete who excelled in everything he did: football, basketball and track and field. He rushed for 3,911 yards and 41 touchdowns in his football career. He also was class president.

His approach to his first camp could serve as a model for all freshmen.

"A lot of guys don't give themselves a chance," Chryst said. "We talk about that with the young guys all the time — 'Give yourself a chance to compete.'

"That's by studying, that's by knowing what to do; it's by listening, it's by watching other guys. I think Bradie's a great example. He's giving himself a chance."

Ewing has good football instincts. He runs with vision and a little bit of power. He can catch the ball. Beyond that, he has not been in awe of his surroundings.

"The thing I was pleased with, from Day One, nothing frightened him," Settle said. "He has shown no fear from the Day One install (of the offense), which was a lot of install.

"He took his playbook, he studied it, he digested it. He came out and he knew his protections. He wasn't intimidated, whether it was the plays or the (other) players. He has taken his lumps in one-on-one pass (protection) vs. linebackers, but he has given a couple lumps as well. I like his maturity."

Being prepared has allowed Ewing not only to play fast, but also look comfortable in everything he does.

"It gives you confidence, 'I know what to do,' " Chryst said. "So, then, 'I can go out and play.' I think he's had a tremendous camp. If you didn't know the paperwork, you'd swear (he's on scholarship). He belongs here, I know that much."