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BADGER BRIEFS: UW lands 3-star RB Antwan Roberts in 2021 class

Baun tests positive; new handrails will be installed at Camp Randall Stadium

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Three-star running back prospect Antwan Roberts announced Tuesday that he'd be attending the University of Wisconsin.

Roberts — a class of 2021 recruit from Henderson, Tennessee — tweeted his commitment, becoming the 10th oral commitment of the class for the Badgers and the third running back. He joins Verona's Jackson Acker and Eau Claire Memorial's Loyal Crawford as running backs in the class.

The 6-foot-1, 189-pound back is a three-star recruit per Rivals and 247sports.

Adding running back depth was crucial for the Badgers, who also are bringing in four-star prospect Jalen Berger in 2020 class.

UW was the only Big Ten program to offer Roberts a scholarship. He was also considering offers from Cincinnati, Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, Memphis, Missouri and Vanderbilt. He also played defensive back for his high school, Pope John Paul II.

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Roberts is the seventh three-star commitment for the Badgers in the 2021 class, which also features three four-star recruits.

Positive test

Former Wisconsin linebacker Zack Baun informed all 32 NFL teams that he tested positive for a diluted urine sample at the NFL scouting combine, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Schefter reported Tuesday afternoon that Baun told teams the diluted test was due to consuming too much water in order to increase his weight at the combine weigh-in.

One criticism of Baun during the pre-draft process has been his low weight compared to most NFL pass rushers. According to posted results, Baun weighed 242 pounds at the Reese's Senior Bowl and weighed 238 pounds at the combine.

According to the U.S. Drug Testing Centers, diluted urine could be the result of over-consumption of water or an attempt to mask substances that would trigger a failed test.

Baun, who tallied 12 1/2 sacks and earned consensus All-American honors as a senior for the Badgers, did not respond to a message seeking comment Tuesday.

Baun is projected by many NFL draft analysts to be selected late in the first round or early in the second. The draft begins April 23.

Schefter also tweeted Tuesday that teams did not believe the diluted test will impact Baun's draft stock much.

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"Under the NFL's new CBA, it will not count as a strike against him whereas it would have under the NFL's old CBA," Schefter tweeted.

In an appearance on ESPN's NFL Life on Tuesday, Schefter said teams believe Baun's story.

"Teams look at this test, and while I'm sure they don't like hearing about it, I don't think they're overly concerned about it," he said. "I think they're buying the story, I think they believe it, I think they're not going to put much credence into it. Now, he could still go in the first round or in the second round."

New handrails

The University of Wisconsin athletics department was given approval to install handrails inside Camp Randall Stadium, it was announced Monday.

Installation will take place prior to the 2020 football season, according to a release from Brian Lucas, UW director of football brand communications.

"I am very happy that we are going to be able to accommodate so many of our fans by adding handrails inside the stadium," UW athletic director Barry Alvarez said in the release. "We are constantly trying to add amenities to the stadium and this is one that will positively affect a lot of people."

The new railings will be installed over the summer.

The south end zone will have new handrails installed as part of its upcoming renovation.

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