Wisconsin reaches out to 2018 linebacker Antonio Montero
When the dust settles after college football's first early signing period Wednesday, prospects such as Antonio Montero should have some new options to add their list of potential schools.
A 6-foot, 220-pound senior from Eden Prairie High School in Minnesota, Montero has been in recent contact with a handful of programs in recent weeks.
"I'm not signing tomorrow (Wednesday)," Montero told BadgerBlitz.com. "I still have to hear back from Illinois, Iowa State and Wisconsin on their openings and how their classes ended up after the early signing day.
"I don't have any visits planned currently, but things will start settling out after the signing day."
Montero, who could play either linebacker or fullback at the next level, has recently been in contact with staff member Andrew Martlatt. Tim Tibesar, who handled the state of Minnesota on the recruiting front for the Badgers, recently accepted the open defensive coordinator job at Oregon State.
"I've been talking to Coach Marlatt recently," Montero said. "They asked for my transcript and grades and he said they look fantastic. He said they're evaluating me as a linebacker or fullback, so they're still in the process.
"The way it sounded was that they saw me as a scholarship guy but with two inside linebackers committed, it might turn out to be a preferred walk-on - assuming they offer anything at all. A scholarship offer would be incredible, but any opportunity to play for Wisconsin would be unbelievable. Wisconsin is one of the top schools in the country academically and football-wise, and I have a lot of family that lives there. I am very interested in Wisconsin."
Outside of UW, Montero, who had 118 tackles and two interceptions to go along with 24 rushing touchdowns this fall, has offers from Air Force, North Dakota State, Minnesota-Mankato State and Bemidji State. Minnesota has also extended a preferred walk-on offer.
"I officially visited Minnesota two weeks ago and coach (P.J.) Fleck came to my school the next day," Montero said. "The official visit went really well. Coach Fleck made it clear that if I choose to come to Minnesota I would earn a scholarship. There were a lot of big-time recruits there, but I felt as though I could play with all of them."
In the 2018 class, the Badgers have preferred walk-on commitments from Jack Eschenbach, Marty Strey, John Chenal, Andrew Lyons, Brady Schipper, Nate Carter and Mike Gregorie.