2020 LB Ross Gengler commits to Wisconsin Badgers as preferred walk-on

In the past month, three in-state players accepted walk-on opportunities to play at Wisconsin

On Wednesday, Delavan (WI) Darien inside linebacker Ross Gengler increased the total to four as he announced his decision to commit to the Badgers.

The 6-foot-3, 206-pound 'backer joins offensive lineman Sean Timmis, long snapper Duncan McKinley and specialist Jack Van Dyke as recruits who have publicly committed to UW as walk-ons.

He received the preferred walk-on opportunity in late June.

"Honestly, I have been talking to quite a few other Division 1 schools lately and as the season kicks up, it was going to be filled with more game-day invites and the process would keep going," Gengler told BadgerBlitz.com. "My father and I really thought hard about it and decided that Wisconsin being such a powerhouse program and being so close to our house would be the way to go.

"They really did a great job and making me feel like I fit into their program and it would be so great to be part of their family."

According to WisSports.net, Gengler recorded 108 tackles, 11 for loss, 4.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and three interceptions during his junior campaign in 2018.

Last month, Gengler participated in one of Wisconsin's camps where he worked with the inside linebackers and position coach Bob Bostad. He also previously attended sessions at Baylor (in late May), Northwestern, Iowa and North Dakota State. He currently holds 11 scholarships offers from programs like Winona State, Valparaiso, Minnesota-Duluth, and Northwest Missouri State.

"Coach Bostad and Coach (Chris) Haering called over the weekend and told me that there was a game plan for me and that was the icing on the cake at that point," Gengler said. "We were supposed to go to Ohio for a camp this weekend and we realized that it was a seven-hour drive. That would be tough for home games, let alone away games."

Wisconsin still holds 12 scholarship verbal commitments for the class of 2020.