Badgers add in-state kicker Collin Larsh as a preferred walk-on
After taking an unofficial visit to Wisconsin last week, in-state kicker Collin Larsh added his name to the Badgers' preferred walk-on commitment list, becoming the fifth player in the 2017 class to do so.
Larsh, a 6-foot, 180-pound senior from Monona Grove, joins running back Hunter Johnson, quarterback Danny Vanden Boom, lineman Matt Henningsen and linebacker Jake Collinsworth as walk-on pledges for UW in the current cycle.
"To start with, I grew up in Wisconsin watching the Badgers play and it always was a goal of mine to some day play for them," Larsh told BadgerBlitz.com. "As my skills developed to the point where I felt I had a good chance to compete at that level, I attended their camps. After winning their second specialist camp I realized it was really a possibility.
"After taking an unofficial visit, meeting their coaches, talking with the players and touring their facilities, I truly realized Wisconsin was the place for me. I also found it very reassuring they have a strong academic program."
Special teams coordinator Chris Haering and quality control coach Taylor Mehlhaff were both involved in Larsh's recruitment. He is expected to begin as a place kicker but is working on all facets of his game before arriving on campus. Wisconsin currently has three kickers on the current roster: senior Andrew Endicott, junior Rafael Gaglianone and freshman Zach Hintze.
"The main spot I will be focusing on there is placekicker, but I will continue to work on all specials," Larsh said. "It's a good feeling to know I will have the opportunity to play at the next level for UW. But I realize I still have a lot of hard work ahead of me."
According to Larsh, Bowling Green, Illinois State, Minnesota State, St. Cloud, Minnesota Dulutg and Southwest Minnesota State, among others, were also showing interest. Larsh is currently ranked as the No. 45 kicker in the nation, according to KohlsKicking.com.
"I will continue to work on everything because I feel there's always room for improvement," Larsh said. "But my strongest area is field goals. At the Kohl's national camp I placed second out of 465 participants where 43 states were represented."
From the KohlsKicking web site:
"Larsh recently attended the 2016 NSC. He has made significant improvements with his ball striking and confidence in his FG's. He charted exceptionally well in FG's by scoring 27. His KO's are holding him back right now, not because of leg strength but more so contact. He is hitting the ball thin and pushing it to the right. His punting is coming around as well, keeping the ball inline and working up and thru(vertically) should help him hit with more consistency. Larsh most recently attended the 2016 Midwest Spring Showcase Camp. He has improved his leg strength and the ball jumps off his foot. Hitting a cleaner rotation on his KO's will help him hit his "A" ball more often. Punting shows flashes of his true potential, he does need to continue to work on kicking up and thru the football rather than swiping side to side on contact. Larsh was in attendance at multiple Kohl's events."
