UW's 'tradition, prestige' has Waunakee OL staying close to home

When Blake Smithback's father contacted the Wisconsin coaching staff about the possibility of his son playing for the Badgers, former UW offensive lineman and current graduate assistant Al Johnson was a bit surprised at first.

That's because Smithback, a 6-foot-3, 290-pound senior from Waunakee High School, was already committed to South Dakota State.

"I was committed to South Dakota State since July and there wasn't really a lot of talk coming from Wisconsin during the season," Blake Smithback told BadgerBlitz.com. "However, my dad contacted Al Johnson about my interest in UW and they were surprised because they thought I was happy at SDSU.

"I was invited to the Minnesota game and had good talks with coach (Joe) Rudolph and had an amazing experience. We kept in contact and I was offered a walk-on spot. And after several weeks of decision making, I thought my best opportunity moving forward was Wisconsin."

A WFCA first-team all-state as a senior, Smithback, a key cog in the Warriors' run-heavy, is now one of 11 preferred walk-on pledges for the Badgers in the 2017 class. Many from that group turned down scholarship money in order to play for their home-state school.

"I think the overall tradition and prestige of the program helped," said Smithback, who joins Josh Seltzner as projected offensive linemen from that group. "It's been a childhood dream of mine to play for the Badgers. I've grown up watching the success they've had in the program and knew I wanted to be a part of it.

"The walk-on tradition is incredible there. There have been many instances where walk-ons can come in and contribute to the team's success and I want that same opportunity."

Rudolph will likely get to work with Smithback first, but there's also a chance he could contribute as a defensive lineman at UW.

"Coach Rudolph was really excited that I made this choice," Smithback said. "They like the toughness, strength and work ethic that I bring to the table. As of right now it's either as an interior offensive lineman or maybe defensive lineman because that idea has been thrown around as well.

"I've played offensive line the past three years for my team but I will go wherever the coaching staff puts me. If they see me as a better fit and better able to contribute at one or the other, I'll take that in stride and go to that position."

With just a few days left before Signing Day, Smithback is happy to have his final college decision out of the way.

"It's really relieving, actually," he said. "Knowing that I'm going somewhere that I've grown up watching and wanting to be is just a tremendous feeling. It's like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders."