Fresh off his unofficial visit to the University of Wisconsin Sunday, a trip that yielded his third scholarship offer, Oakwood (GA) West Hall punter Anthony Lotti felt that the Badgers would be a school hard to beat when he made his decision before the start of his senior season. He wasn’t kidding.

Anthony Lotti

“I just had a really good feeling about Wisconsin,” Lotti told BadgerNation after announcing Wednesday morning on Twitter that he was committing to the Badgers’ 2016 recruiting class. “Everything was great about Wisconsin. My family and I sat down (Tuesday) and had a big talk. If they said that’s the place, I might as well commit.”

Lotti becomes the 14th commit to Wisconsin’s 2016 recruiting class, picking the Badgers over offers from Air Force and Boston College and interest from Cincinnati, Georgia, Georgia Tech and others. He earned his offer following Wisconsin’s specialist camp Sunday, where he won the day’s kicking competition.

“I think my biggest strength is my hang time and my consistency,” said Lotti. “I really take pride in hanging the ball up there so it won’t be returned.”

Mainly recruited by special teams assistant coach, and former Wisconsin kicker, Taylor Mehlhaff, Lotti said the reaction from both Mehlhaff and special teams assistant coach Chris Haering was memorable.

“They were probably the most excited I have ever seen before in my life,” said Lotti. “It was really cooled when I called them. They were probably more excited than I was. It was great.”

After not getting a chance to speak to head coach Paul Chryst on Sunday, Lotti spoke to the first-year head coach for the first time following his commitment.

“He was really excited, too, and excited to be able to work with me,” said Lotti. “He seemed like a really great guy, really down to earth. I am excited to be able to hang out with him and work with him.”

With senior Drew Meyer graduating after this season, redshirt freshman walk-on P.J. Rosowski is the only other punter on UW's current roster. In addition to loving UW’s campus and facilities, the chance to compete for the starting job right away was a huge selling point.

“I am extremely excited about that,” said Lotti. “I love to compete. Hearing that I could start as a freshman really got me excited, especially having my first game against LSU at Lambeau Field. I am really excited.”