2025 ATH Luke Emmerich 'knew the whole time' he wanted to be a Badger
One of the hottest prospects in the Midwest this spring committed to Wisconsin on Thursday evening.
Luke Emmerich, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound athlete from Minnesota, is pledge No. 10 for the Badgers in the 2025 recruiting class.
"Right when they offered I knew the whole time that's where I would be going," Emmerich told BadgerBlitz.com. "I had a lot of good opportunities but I knew the whole time I wanted to be a Badger.
"Me, my sister and my dad went to Wisconsin during my sophomore year for a game. I was like, 'dad, I want to play football here. And if I can't do that, I just want to be a student here.' So I always wanted to be a Badger, and I know that is weird coming from someone just outside of Minneapolis."
After running a 10.69-second 100-meter dash in late April, Emmerich saw his recruitment explode. Scholarships came in from USC, Nebraska, Minnesota, Utah, California, Michigan State and Wisconsin, among others. He was also receiving recent interest from Alabama, Ohio State and Miami.
The Badgers hosted Emmerich, from Monticello High School, on April 13 and offered less than two weeks later. Coordinator Mike Tressel served as the lead contact in his recruitment.
"It started with Washington coming in with an offer before the 100-meter time," Emmerich said. "They liked what they saw and they ended up pulling the trigger. That happened on Saturday, and then on Tuesday I ran the 10.6. Right after that Iowa State called, and from there 12 more schools offered in about a week and a half. It came quick and it was fun, but I knew the whole time that I wanted to be a Badger.
"Me, Coach (Mike) Tressel and Coach (Alex) Grinch have been on the phone a lot. I told them this is where I wanted to be after that offer and I said I see myself there. I asked them to be patient because I wanted to talk to my family. We went out to eat last night (Thursday) and we talked for about an hour and a half. We knew it was the right place the whole time. My parents want me at Wisconsin and I want to be there as well."
Emmerich, who played wide receiver, defensive back and quarterback as a sophomore, missed his junior season with an injury. He has since recovered and feels 100 percent.
"I feel 110 percent," Emmerich said. "I feel great with the physical therapy and it feels like I have a bionic leg. I can jump higher and run faster than I ever could.
"They see me as a safety who can grow to be a player like Hunter Wohler in that rover spot. I think that's a great fit for me, too. I told Coach (Luke) Fickell I can anywhere besides the offensive line and defensive line, and I really meant that. My versatility and athleticism can help them right away on special teams, and then I want to work my way up the depth chart."
Emmerich will be back on campus the weekend of June 14 for his official visit.
"It's a great feeling to be done, and when you know, you know," Emmerich said. "I called Coach Tressel last night and he was actually with Coah Fickell. I talked to both of them at the same time and it was a special moment. They were super pumped about it. I kind of blacked out during it - I was ecstatic to make that dream come true."
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