National Signing Day 2016: Badgers Add in-State LB Mason Stokke

National Signing Day 2016 is here

The Wisconsin Badgers National Signing Day 2016 class is well underway, and the Badgers have added in-state linebacker Mason Stokke to the recruiting class of 2016.

A Menomonie, Wisconsin product, Stokke is a 247 Sports three-star outside linebacker, ranked the ninth-best prospect in the state of Wisconsin and the 89th-best outside linebacker prospect nationally.

The 6-foot-3, 205 pound linebacker committed to the Badgers last April, and signed his letter of intent on signing day.

Stokke should bring speed and athleticism to the Badgers outside linebacker group after playing running back as well as linebacker in high school.

Stokke is also an intriguing prospect because of his wrestling career, as he’s a state champion in the 195-pound weight class as a junior after finishing third at state in the 152-pound class as a sophomore. That wrestling background should help Stokke as a linebacker, as he will certainly know how to use his hands and fight off blockers.

That much is evident in this short highlight clip, which also showcases his skills on the offensive side of the ball as a running back.

Here’s his player profile, per UWBadgers.com:

High School: Three-star prospect by 247 Sports, Rivals and Scout … first-team all-state as both a linebacker and running back by Wisconsin Football Coaches Association and Associated Press as a senior, rushing for 1,740 yards and 29 touchdowns while logging 184 tackles, 22 TFLs, 2 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and 3 interceptions … 2015 WFCA Defensive Player of the Year … named 2015 John Anderson Award winner as state’s top senior linebacker … named league’s offensive and defensive MVP by Big Rivers Conference … three-time first-team All-Big Rivers selection … three-year team captain … won state wrestling title at 195 lbs. as a junior, not surrendering a single point during state tournament and finishing season with 45-0 record … finished third at state at 152 lbs. as a sophomore … four-year Academic All-State selection … National Honor Society … high school coach was Joe LaBuda

Personal: Parents are Randy and Bobbie Stokke … brother, Neico, plays football at Minnesota State

Next: Impact Players from the Class of 2015

Stay tuned to Badger of Honor for more coverage of the Wisconsin Badgers recruiting class on National Signing Day 2016.