Samuel Eckert '14 Recruiting Profile

Hi! I’m Sam Eckert and this Fall I will begin my senior year at East Troy High School in East Troy, WI. Last season (2012) I earned my third varsity letter in football. But unlike previous seasons, I had to sit out my junior season due to surgery performed on my right foot. I fractured my Navicular bone while competing in the triple-jump at a track conference meet in May 2012. When I found out that I had to have surgery, I knew it was the right thing to do for my body long-term and I was confident that I would overcome this challenge to compete again at 100%. Since then I have worked hard both mentally and physically and have successfully rehabbed my foot, leg and endurance. This past winter (2013) as a member of our varsity basketball team, I helped our team win both WIAA Regional and Sectional championships along with the WIAA State qualification in Division 3.

During the 2011 football season, I competed as a two-way starter at the wide receiver and outside linebacker positions. I started both ways in all ten of our games and I led our team in receptions, yards after catch, and total yards. On the defensive side finishing as one of the top three players on our team in overall tackles. I also played a big role on special teams as place kicker and other positions such as kickoff and kick return. I was awarded Rock Valley All-Conference Team-First Team as a Wide Receiver. I also received team honors, which included the Alpha Company Award which recognizes off-season commitment and work ethic. I am currently 6’4” and 215 lbs but besides my physical attributes, I am disciplined, hard working, and driven to successfully balance academics with athletics in my life. Both on and off the field, I behave in a way that has brought credit to my team, my high school and to my community.  I am a student leader and delegate for "Life of an Athlete" at my high school.

As a successful high school football player, I’m always trying to improve the physical aspect of my game and strive to be the best athlete that I can be by training and competing throughout the year. I do this through strength training every day, and by participating in high school basketball and track in the off season. I also compete in football combines each spring and continue my football training by competing at college football camps every summer.  This summer I am attending and competing at 3-day football camps, 1 day and evening showcases held at the University of Illinois, Northern Illinois University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Northwestern University, North Dakota State, Illinois State, Eastern Illinois and the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. 
 

I look forward to earning both a bachelor's and a master's degree in physical therapy, in the area of orthopedics and rehabilitation. I’d like to work with patients of all ages to help them improve their health and fitness so they can prevent and better cope with their physical limitations and disabilities. My goal is to offset the cost of my education with athletics and I am committed to play football in college. No matter the division level of the college, it is important to me to attend a university which offers my major, allows me to earn a valuable education and provides me the opportunity to play and significantly contribute to the sport I love.