by Kevin Trahan (@k_trahan)
New Recruit
Northwestern dipped into South Florida to pick up Anthony Walker for its 14th commitment for the class of 2013. Walker is a three-star outside linebacker — ranked No. 42 in the country at his position — who has listed NU as his top school ever since the Wildcats extended an offer. He made it official on Tuesday, choosing NU over Minnesota, Purdue and a number of non-BCS schools.
He was certainly excited about NU and what the school had to offer outside of football.
"I have the opportunity to play Big Ten football and get an Ivy League education," Walker told PurpleWildcats.com. "You can't beat that combination."
Another Recruit
NU picked up two commitments from outside linebackers on Tuesday, the second coming from Brett Walsh, a two-star recruit — No. 103 at his position, nationally — from Monrovia, Calif.
He's an under-the-radar recruit and chose NU over the likes of Fresno State, Nevada, South Dakota and UNLV and he seemed to recognize that a Big Ten offer was too much not to jump on quickly.
"I just thought it was a good school and didn't know how long this opportunity would be there," Walsh told PurpleWildcats.com. "I wasn't sure if I still have had a spot. I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity. I don't think it gets much better than Northwestern. I decided to commit."
Walsh is the 15th commitment for NU in the class of 2013.
Lacrosse Recruiting
Our own Jonah Rosenblum has an outstanding article on NU women's lacrosse and the women's lacrosse scene across the country next year. Jonah has covered the team for The Daily Northwestern and writes for Lacrosse Magazine and certainly knows his stuff.
Fresh off its seventh national title in eight years, NU will likely be one of the favorites to win it all again in 2013. However, while the Wildcats will add some strong players, the gap is closing as other teams are getting better. Powerhouses like Maryland and North Carolina each added four Under Armour All-Americans to NU's one and other strong programs like Duke, Florida and Syracuse are all getting better.
While the Wildcats will still likely be considered the creme of the crop in 2013, there are a number of other programs on their heels. Stay with InsideNU for more great lacrosse coverage from Jonah, in addition to his football and basketball coverage.