4/17/2020 football Edit

In-state check-in: 2021 offensive lineman Evan Ladwig

Jon McNamara • BadgerBlitz

Editor

Jon McNamara is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has covered UW athletics since 2002 and has worked at Rivals.com since 2006.

The COVID-19 pandemic shut down numerous visit opportunities for Evan Ladwig this spring, but it didn't stop the 6-foot-4, 270-pound offensive tackle from collecting his first four scholarships during the course of his recruitment.

Minnesota State, Minnesota-Duluth, Southwest Minnesota State and Upper Iowa recently offered Ladwig, a WFCA all-region and honorable mention all-state selection in 2019.

Junior offensive lineman Evan Ladwig currently has four scholarship offers.

Premium Access free trial until 9/04/2020!

"The first offer was a little bit of a relief," Ladwig told BadgerBlitz.com. "It was nice to get those first few out of the way, but I’m still looking for that big offer.

"It’s been fairly difficult right now because this is your chance to build bonds with these coaches and get to see where your future home might be."

Power 5 opportunities may be on the horizon for Ladwig, who was in contact with Wisconsin, Iowa State and Iowa, among other schools, this winter.

"I took a junior day visit to Iowa State and I had spring practice invites from Wisconsin and Iowa," Ladwig said. "I was planning on junior day visits to North Dakota and North Dakota State, and I have a recruiter that said some more Big Ten schools were supposed to come through our school.

"I was really looking forward to the Iowa visit because I’ve talked with Coach (Tim) Polasek a lot. Wisconsin and Iowa were two visits I for sure wanted to take this spring because I really wanted to get out and see some of those bigger schools."

Northern Illinois, led by head coach Thomas Hammock, has also been in contact with Ladwig, who doubles as a standout wrestler at Plymouth High School. The Huskies signed five offensive linemen from the state of Wisconsin - Evan Buss, Anthony Vacula, Tyler Pitcel, John Champe and Matt Schooley - in the 2020 class.

"I took a visit to NIU in the winter," Ladwig said. "I really, really like the offensive line coach (Daryl Agpalsa). They said I can always work on getting stronger, change certain things and get more technically sound. Honestly, I'm looking for a good coaching staff and, specifically, a good position coach. Those are people you're going to be with everyday, so I’m really looking for a coach I feel like I fit good with.

"Wrestling helps more than most people think. The whole reason I joined was to become a better football player. It teaches me awareness, helps with endurance and quickness, and has taught me how to use my hips, which is huge for a lineman."