There wasn't much Daniel Polk, Jr. couldn't accomplish on the field.
 
Not bad for the walk on who would leave Midwestern State as a first-team All American and as a finalist for the award presented to the top player in NCAA Division II – the Harlon Hill Trophy.
 
Polk can now add one more accolade to the pile as the 6-2, 202-pound quarterback joins MSU's 2017 Athletic Hall of Honor Class.
 
"This is a very surreal moment," Polk said. "It's like an affirmation that what I did there was acknowledged. I feel more gratitude than anything."
 
Polk is set for induction prior to halftime Homecoming festivities during MSU's football game against West Texas A&M Saturday night at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m.
 
The Midwestern State Athletic Hall of Honor represents the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the MSU Department of Athletics. The accomplishments of those enshrined exemplify the character, spirit, commitment, high level of achievement and reflect the honor, excellence and traditions of the university.
 
Individuals are recognized for their contributions as student-athletes, coaches, administrators or outstanding advocates of Midwestern State Athletics.
 
Assessing Polk's collegiate playing career by the numbers is mind numbing. Polk graduated as the school's all-time leader in total offense (8,276 yards), rushing yards (3,590), scoring (266 points) and touchdowns accounted for (82).
 
That just scratches the surface. He was the only quarterback at any level of college football to throw for 2,000 yards and run for 1,000 during his senior campaign of 2007. He was the first and remains the only signal caller in the storied history of the Lone Star Conference to accomplish the feat.
 
Polk ran for 100 yards 12 times during his career which includes the best rushing performances in school history going for 290 against Abilene Christian in 2007, 259 versus Southeastern Oklahoma in 2006 and 244 at Eastern New Mexico in 2005.
 
Definitely astounding numbers considering he only went into one of his collegiate seasons as the unquestioned starter at quarterback.
 
Things definitely could have taken a different turn for Polk, who had several offers from Division I programs after standing out in football, baseball and basketball at South Oak Cliff High School in Dallas. Problem was the big school all wanted him to play defense.
 
"I actually feel like I was a better baseball player, but didn't pursue it because it wasn't as challenging. I just enjoyed football more," Polk said. "I'd never heard of Midwestern. They recruited me as a walk-on and invited me to the spring game. As soon as I walked on to the campus, I knew I was going to go there. I didn't want play anything but quarterback and MSU was one the only ones to give me the opportunity."
 
It was an opportunity he would have to earn with perseverance and a positive attitude. Two traits which he honed to become as synonymous as his brilliant open-field running ability.
 
He first took the starting reigns as a redshirt freshman in 2004 coming on for an injured Rahsaan Bell to lead the program to three consecutive wins and on to the its first NCAA playoffs where he passed for a career-best 307 yards in a loss to Colorado Mines.
 
Despite earning LSC Freshman of the Year honors, Polk found himself second on the depth chart to the returning Bell to start the 2005 season. He would stay there even after Bell sustained another injury four games into the campaign as the team turned to an upstart freshman – Ryan Roberts.
 
"I remember that year very vividly," Polk said. "I told myself that every time I get in the game, we were going to score in one way or another. Putting that pressure on myself elevated my play. I just looked in the mirror and it worked out."
 
Polk started only the final game of the season against Abilene Christian in 2005, but played a huge role in MSU's season closing four-game winning streak by posting three consecutive 100-yard rushing efforts including a 244-yard outburst at Eastern New Mexico.
 
The Mustangs rode the momentum in 2006 fueled by a pair of dynamic playmakers in Bell and Polk behind center. They piled up 437 yards of offense per game while scoring 36 points as MSU soared to a 9-2 regular season mark.
 
By the end of the season, however, another injury for Bell gave Polk sole possession of the quarterbacking duties. Once again, he realized his moment to shine.
 
Polk passed for 205 yards and four touchdowns in a 46-30 win over No. 18 Abilene Christian in the season finale to clinch MSU's second NCAA postseason berth before producing magic in the closing moments of a 28-26 win over Missouri Western in the playoff's opening round.
 
He found DelJuan Lee twice on post routes for 29- and 48-yard touchdowns in the final three minutes of the game with the winner coming with 31 seconds remaining. It remains the program's lone NCAA postseason victory.
 
During his time on campus, Polk stood as the epitome of a leader proving an example for others making the sound decisions on and off the field. A leader, however, is never a stranger to accountability.
 
Even as a fifth-year senior in the midst of directing the Mustangs' offensive juggernaut to an NCAA Division II best 550 yards per game while ringing up scoreboards to the tune of 45 points, Polk was not immune to consequences.
 
He carried a heavy academic load as a respiratory care major which included overnight clinicals.
 
"I overslept for a meeting. It was a shock to me, but coach had to do something," Polk said. "I was doing clinicals at night and it was hard to maintain that schedule. It made me understand that time management was everything. I had to really pay attention to balancing playing and going to school. I was living off of energy drinks."
 
The missed alarm cost him a series and a start at East Central (Okla.), but hardly put a blemish on an incredible senior campaign. Polk finished the passing for 2,487 yards, running for 1,069 more and accounted for 35 touchdowns.
 
He closed career with a flourish rushing for a school single-game record 290 yards and three touchdowns in a season-ending, 42-41 loss to Abilene Christian.
 
A win most likely would have meant another postseason trip, but didn't take the luster off of a storybook career.
 
From walk-on to All American, Polk proved the power of determination, character and positive thinking at Midwestern State.
 
"After my freshman year, visualization and speaking things were always important to me," he said. "It is a gratifying situation that all of your work is being noticed and is being realized. You look back and it really happened. It was more gratifying than anything else.
 
"It's a blessing to experience. The four or five years goes by so fast, so any kind of acknowledgement you have to be thankful for."
 
LIVING THE DREAM
 
Daniel Polk signed a priority free agent contract with his hometown Dallas Cowboys following the 2008 NFL Draft.
 
He made a successful move to wide receiver and worked deep into training camp surviving to the first to last cut.
 
"I tore ligaments in my hamstring," Polk said. "The thing I learned is when you get up to that level, it's not about who is better, but it's about another individual's view."
 
So he returned to the MSU campus and completed his respiratory care bachelor's degree in the spring of 2009. Polk mulled one more NFL opportunity the following year.
 
"Midwestern allowed me to grow from an educational standpoint and gave me the base to make solid decisions," he said. "The (New Orleans) Saints wanted to sign me, but I turned it down because of the fruits of my education were more beneficial. It definitely worked out."
 
EPILOGUE
 
Daniel Polk earned a bachelor's degree in respiratory care from Midwestern State in 2009 before earning a master's from Northeastern State in Boston.
 
He and his wife, Tara, celebrated their sixth anniversary in September with an addition to the family on the way -- daughter Maia.
 
The couple are co-owners of Pulmonary Prevention Plus, providing durable medical equipment and supplies to the Dallas area.
 
Polk served as an adjunct professor for online program for respiratory therapy last spring at Midwestern State.
 
He believes the discipline learned under MSU coach Bill Maskill continues to play a key role in his success in the business world.
 
"It helps with the mindset of being a leader. You are going to experience the highest of highs and lowest and lows," Polk said. "The most important thing is you have to keep doing the right thing when no one is looking."