National Signing Day 2014: Villanova preferred walk-ons include Ryan Bell & Matt Brown

These players will attend school without an athletic scholarship, paying their own way and playing for the love of it. Some of they will be key for depth at an important position. Some will be key pieces in the 'Cats' weekly scout teams as the first units prepare for each opponent. Others, like Poppy Livers and Kevin Gulyas, come to Villanova with the intention of earning a scholarship the hard way.

This signing day is no different. The following athletes are expected to join Villanova football next season as preferred walk-on players:

• Ryan Bell, Ridge HS (NJ) - TE/OLB - Caught passes for 766 yards (16.3 ypc) as a senior tight end, the Basking Ridge native checks in at 6'3" and 215-pounds and could play on either side of the ball. He also recorded 46 tackles and 4 tackles-for-loss at Ridge this fall. [Watch his highlights]
• Matt Brown, Malvern Prep (PA) - WR - Brown played as a running back and defensive back at Malvern Prep, but will move over to Brian Flinn's wide receiver group once he arrives at Villanova. The 5'9" and 175-pound receiver committed to the 'Cats back in November and plans to work toward earning a scholarship.