Wisconsin Football to Host 5-Star Specialist on Junior Day Visit

When Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin football coaching staff host their first round of junior day visits this weekend, the Badgers will have another notable in-state target on campus. 

Joining Catholic Memorial offensive tackle Owen Strebig on junior day will be five-star kicker/punter Erik Schmidt from Marquette University (WI.)

The 6-foot-2, 195-pound specialist connected on 8-of-12 field goal attempts this past season and had 70-of-80 kickoffs go for touchbacks. As a punter, Schmidt had a 42-yard net average en route to HM All-State, All-Region, and All-Conference honors. 

‼️Junior Season Highlights‼️
– 8/12 Field Goals
– 70/80 touchback
– 42 yard net punt average
D1 State Champion
All State, All Region, All Conference
Team Captainhttps://t.co/JPrck3ijG8@KohlsKicking @Coach_Radke @FootballMuhs @HKA_Tanalski

— Erik (@Erik_Schmidt22) November 26, 2023

Wisconsin Football to Host 5-Star Specialist Erik Schmidt on Junior Day Visit

It’s abundantly clear that Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin Badgers football program hold quality special teams in high regard. Right now, they have kicker Nathaniel Vakos, punter Atticus Bertrams, and transfer portal long-snapper Cayson Pfeiffer all on scholarship. 

All indications are that Erik Schmidt is the Wisconsin Badgers’ next target. The in-state product is the country’s No. 1 punter and No. 5 kicker in the 2025 recruiting class, per Kohl’s Kicking Camps. 

The MaxPreps first-team All-American has one scholarship offer from the Wisconsin football team but has also received interest from NC State, Notre Dame, Iowa State, North Carolina, Georgia, Texas A&M, and others.

Schmidt took an unofficial visit to Wisconsin during the season and is someone this coaching staff has aggressively pursued. We’ll see how this affects his recruitment following his junior day visit. 

Always a great time @BadgerFootball. Thanks for having me! @Rymiszewski17 @Coach_Mitch_ @KohlsKicking pic.twitter.com/7Sf7DcI6ud

— Erik (@Erik_Schmidt22) September 18, 2023

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