The University of Notre Dame's (UND) football program awarded a scholarship to a walk on player who has never taken a meaningful snap in four years playing for the team.

Listed as a running back in his senior season on his UND athletics bio page, Josh Anderson's most significant contribution to the Fighting Irish on the football field is "immeasurable service as Notre Dame's top running back on the offensive scout team each week."

However, listed below are several accolades related to leadership and academics, two things UND has historically held high in their athletic department. In fact, the school considers academics so important, evidence - or even allegations - of cheating can result in a student-athlete missing game time or being kicked off their team.

So because Anderson works so hard to stay on the football team despite knowing he will probably never see the field in a meaningful game, the school decided to reward him. Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly called a meeting at 8:15 on Thursday morning to introduce the team's all-green Under Armour Shamrock Series uniform to be worn on Nov. 15 when the Irish play Boston College at Fenway Park in Boston.

Notre Dame's equipment manager, Ryan Grooms, told Anderson coach Kelly asked if he would wear the uniform to the meeting to show it off. During the meeting, Kelly referred to Anderson as a model, but for how he conducts himself on and off the field.

"He's a great model, that's why I brought him up here. Because he models a lot of the things that are right with Notre Dame football," Kelly said at the meeting, according to a video of the announcement. "He's worked hard since he's came here, he's a walk-on and today, Josh, congratulations, we're awarding you a scholarship."

IMG 6623 from Notre Dame Football on Vimeo.

The room then erupted as several players swarmed Anderson to congratulate him. Anderson indicated he was completely surprised and though the meeting was being kept secret because of the uniforms, not Kelly's announcement.

"Grooms came to me and said they need someone to model the jersey," Anderson said in a release. "I said I would do it. No big deal. He said to make sure I didn't tell anybody so I kept it a secret. This morning, I had no clue still. I was just putting on a uniform. Afterwards, when coach Kelly started saying such good things about me, it kind of hit me. I still can't really process it."

(Source: UND Athletics)