Badgers best Big Ten schools for Burks
In the end, Wisconsin had to battle conference rivals Minnesota and Maryland, but the Badgers came out on top for 2016 linebacker Noah Burks.
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A 6-foot-3, 215-pound prospect from powerhouse Carmel High School in Indiana, Burks, a 2014 IndyStar Super Team selection, committed to UW on Saturday evening.
"It feels fantastic. I know I wanted be a Wisconsin Badger and I just felt like it was time to make a decision," Burks told BadgerBlitz.com. "Wisconsin has given me a special feeling in my heart ever since I visited. It just felt like I could call it home for the next four years when I committed. I have a great relationship with the coaching staff and love the way the players get after it and the blue-collar mentality they bring.
"Also the fans are the best there are and they run the same defense as I do right now in high school. That will make the transition easier because I won't have to change anything. The coaches were extremely excited. There was a banquet going on but coach (Paul) Chryst and coach (Tim) Tibesar stepped aside so they could hear the good news from me and they were ecstatic about it."
Burks, a three-star prospect who is projected at outside linebacker, is the seventh member of Wisconsin's 2016 class and the second linebacker along with Mason Stokke. The senior-to-be also had offers from Ball State, Boston College, Buffalo, Illinois, Indiana, Miami of Ohio and Western Michigan.
Wisconsin offered Burks during an unofficial visit in April and the Badgers immediately jumped to the top of his list. Maryland received a visit in late May but UW was able to hold of the Terrapins and Gophers.
"My family loves Wisconsin. I went up there with my dad and my grandpa when I visited and the place is unreal, it's unlike any other place," Burks said. "My mom also loves the university, she hasn't been there yet but when she does, I know she's going to love it because I do. It was my decision, too. All that really mattered was how I felt."
As a junior, Burks racked up 120 tackles, including 17 for loss. The No. 48 outside linebacker prospect in the 2016 class is looking to visit officially with fellow commits Kare' Lyles and Antonio Williams.
"I haven't thought about it yet but I will probably talk to Kare' and Antonio and see what everyone else is thinking there so I can hang out with all the guys and have a good time," Burks said. "I've been talking to a few of the guys, so I do have a relationship with them. I'm hoping to take it to the next level since we'll all be going to the same school.
"I'll definitely be doing some work (recruiting others). I already have some guys messaging me about it now. I have some guys I wan to reach out to and get."
Burks said he's 100 percent solid in his commitment.
"I'm locked down," he said. "That was something the coaching staff let me know when I committed here, that there won't be any more unofficials or officials, but I knew this is what I was getting in to and I wanted to be a Badger.
"I'm excited and I can't wait to be there to play for the fans. I want them to know that they were a big part of this decision. I think a fan base is a really important thing and Wisconsin has the best fans in the nation."