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WSN15: Football Top Moments #6 - Joe Schobert runs wild in 2010 Division 1 title game

12/06/2017, 8:23am CST
By Travis Wilson

The WSN15 series will celebrate the 15th Anniversary of WisSports.net by looking back at the top players, teams, and moments of the past 15 years (2003-2017). 

We begin our WSN15 series with the Top 15 Moments of the WSN Era.

Top 15 Moments: #6 - Joe Schobert runs wild in 2010 Division 1 title game

The story of Joe Schobert is one of my favorite ones in my nearly ten years at WSN, as it took so many twists and turns, from his prolific high school career to a well-known near-miss by the Wisconsin coaching staff to a standout Badgers career and now as one of the top tacklers in the entire NFL.

However, it all started at Waukesha West High School. As a junior, he stepped in to his first significant varsity playing time by rushing for 153 yards and 3 touchdowns on just 9 carries in a season-opening win over Whitefish Bay. It would be just a taste of what was to come.

He would go on to earn First Team All-Conference recognition in the Classic Eight, helping the Wolverines knock off a prolific Kenosha Bradford team that featured future Heisman finalist Melvin Gordon in the state semi-finals.

On the turf of Camp Randall Stadium would be where he would make his biggest mark, however.

After Stevens Point fumbled a punt following Waukesha West's first drive of the 2010 Division 1 state title game, Schobert would go 25 yards for a touchdown on the next play, less than two minutes into the game.

He and the Waukesha West rushing attack would continue pounding away all game, he would finish with 296 yards on the ground to break John Clay's Division 1 state title game rushing record. Schobert would tote the rock 38 times and score a pair of touchdowns on the ground, adding a 33-yard touchdown reception as well as the Wolverines captured their first state championship, 45-26 over Stevens Point.

Schobert's big day was impressive, but despite following it up with an All-State senior season, he shockingly received little Division 1 college recruiting interest, and was set to walk-on at the University of North Dakota. However, at practices for the 2012 WFCA All-Star Game following his senior year, Schobert impressed the coaches so much that they placed a call to Wisconsin Badgers head coach Bret Bielema, imploring him to check out Schobert and consider him for a spot on the team.

At the last minute, before leaving to North Dakota, Schobert applied and was accepted at Wisconsin and joined the team as a walk-on. Moved to linebacker, he would blossom by his senior season to earn First Team All-Conference and All-American honors, receiving the Butkus-Fitzgerland Linebacker of the Year award. Schobert would be drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft, and this season is second in the entire league in tackles.

For many fans in the Badger State, their first memories of Schobert will remain his magical performance at Camp Randall Stadium in 2010.

For the latest and most up to date football news and recruiting information, follow Travis on Twitter @travisWSN. Email story ideas, recruiting info, etc. to Travis at travis(at)wissports.net.

Tag(s): News Archive  News  Travis Wilson  WSN15