One day after national signing day, kicker Phil Welch from Fort Collins HS
(Fort Collins, CO) was offered a scholarship from Wisconsin. Welch accepted and
faxed in his letter. Scout.com caught up with Welch to talk about his commitment
to the Badgers.
Scout.com: Why Wisconsin?
"I took a
visit to Wisconsin in late January and I was knocked off my feet. Everything
about Wisconsin is great: The coaches, the football program, the athletic
facilities, the school, the fans, and the school
support."
"During my visit to learn about the program, one of the
things we did was attend a hockey game and it was really fun to see the support
and enthusiasm of the fans. The enthusiasm is contageious and it applies
to all their athletics."
"A big attraction to Wisconsin is the current
kicker Taylor Mehlhaff, he's excellent and I look forward to the chance to learn
from him. He's been a starter for three years and was a Lou Groza
national kicking award semi-finalist. I had a chance to meet him at a
kicking camp and he was my athlete-host for the Wisconsin visit. He's a great
guy and a big reason why I chose to go to Wisconsin."
Scout.com:
You also had a grey-shirt offer from Colorado State, so why not CSU?
"Candidly, that was a tough one. Two of my teammates are
going to CSU. They are my hometown favorite and my dad and I have been
going to games for years. And I love the coaches and the school, so it was
a really tough call. But the overall program and opportunity at Wisconsin
was just too good to pass up. And being able to red-Shirt and work with
Taylor Mehlhaff was just an opportunity I couldn't refuse."
The badgers are getting an excellent kicker. He was named to several all
america team this year after having a tremendous senior season that saw him
break state records for points in a season and field goals in a season.
Here are some clips of Welch in action:
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