In-state WR Sam DeLany joins Wisconsin's preferred walk-on class

Sam DeLany, like many kids growing up inside the state of Wisconsin, dreamed of one day playing for the Badgers.

Thursday evening, that dream became reality when the 5-foot-11, 170-pound wide receiver from Kettle Moraine High School accepted a preferred walk-on offer from UW.

"Definitely the coaching staff as well as the historic walk-on tradition made Wisconsin the right place for me," DeLany told BadgerBlitz.com. "As a kid I've always dreamed of getting an opportunity to play at Camp Randall. Also getting to build some relationships with the players is what put Wisconsin on top."

A WFCA All-State honorable mention selection this past fall, DeLany had 937 and seven touchdowns, according to wissports.net.

"The coaches said they like my speed and route running, as well as my competitiveness," DeLany said. "What they stressed is putting in the work this winter and spring to improve my strength.

"It feels great to have made my decision. The recruiting process as a whole has been great and I've had the opportunity to meet a lot of great coaches and programs, but if feels really good making the decision to go to Wisconsin."

DeLany was also receiving interest from North Dakota and Western Michigan, as well as a handful of Division 2 programs.

Wisconsin currently has 15 scholarship commitments in the 2017 class, in addition to seven preferred walk-ons. DeLany joins quarterback Danny Vanden Boom, defensive lineman Matt Henningsen, linebacker Jake Collinsworth, running back Hunter Johnson, kicker Collin Larsh and defensive lineman Michael Balistreri in the latter category.