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Eckert gives UW a tight end in 14

Wisconsin will likely not sign a scholarship tight end in its 2014 class on Feb. 5.
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But the Badgers will have bring on Sam Eckert, who projects at the position, as a preferred walk-on this summer. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound senior from East Troy, Wis., gave a verbal commitment to the coaching staff during his official visit Saturday.
"I'm 100 percent sure that UW is the place is for me," Eckert told BadgerBlitz.com. "I was at like 90 percent positive before the visit but after talking to coach (Jeff) Genyk and going more in-depth about all the facilities and academics, it's kind of hard not to go there.
"It feels great knowing where I will be in the future and what's to come. It has always been my dream to be a Badger."
Eckert, who was hosted by fellow tight end Troy Fumagalli, is eager for the opportunity to earn a scholarship at Wisconsin.
"Because I'll likely be the only tight end, coach Genyk said when we were talking about this really nice opportunity that I have," said Eckert, who projects as an H-back. "He wants me to put on some weight and said that I'm in a nice situation where they aren't bringing in any other tight ends, so I can earn a spot easier and a scholarship easier if I work my butt off."
Eckert, who also had a scholarship opportunity at Colgate, was one of four official visitors on campus this weekend, along with Brett Connors, Cornelius Sturghill and Andre Boggs.
"We got to go to the Badger hockey game tonight (Saturday)," he said. "Earlier today we drove around campus and looked at all the different buildings to see where my classes might be. Before that we toured all the facilities that the football team had.
"I talked to Brett Connors from New Berlin West. I got the feeling that he was going to accepet the walk-on offer like me, but I'm not 100 percent positive."
UW currently has 26 scholarship commitments in the 2014 class.
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