Football Recruiting

Another nice kid to bring in (I assumed we would be losing guys with Arranda moving on).

Howard (KS) West Elk DL Isaiahh Loudermilk commits to the #Badgers, the 23rd prospect in UW's 2016 class pic.twitter.com/f39OWdUFtj

— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) January 7, 2016

Loudermilk is potentially a great get for the Badgers.  Great size and ability but didn't get the publicity because he plays 8-man football in Kansas.

As far as the speculation game, it seems like 19 of the 23 commits are rock solid Bucky.  There is some thought out there that the following could flip:

S-Eric Burrell (Maryland)  Was being pursued heavily by the Maryland staff and recently tweeted that Maryland isn't an option.  There is still thought out there that he might go elsewhere if the right offer came along.

OL-Patrick Kasl (Minnesota)  Lots of people out there think he will flip to the Gophers.  This would be a tough, tough loss for the Badgers as they are short on the offensive line and there doesn't seem to be a backup plan if they lose him.

WR-Quintez Cephus (Georgia)  Recently confirmed he is solid Bucky but many of the southern schools are starting to take notice of him.  Frankly, I think many of the big programs kind of blew it by not noticing this young man sooner. 

DE-Keldric Preston (Florida)  Maryland is making a big push for him.  It's never easy losing any verbal commit...obviously the coaching staff wanted him so losing him would hurt.  But the Badgers are probably in better shape to deal with this loss than the already mentioned players, especially after the addition of Loudermilk.

If the Badgers keep those four players, and do end up signing 25, my best guesses for the last two spots would be:

RB-Sam Brodner (Illinois)  I hate to be down on a young man while he's being recruited but unfortunately have to admit I'm not real high on Brodner.  Sam was the Chicago Tribune's Player of the Year.  Camped with the Badgers as a linebacker but didn't get an offer.  Committed to Vanderbilt.  Decommitted.  Is currently being pursued by Illinois and Syracuse.  Now Wisconsin has jumped in late because, frankly, they botched the running back situation by not having a good backup plan after losing Antonio Williams.  I think he'll only get an offer because the Badgers are dead set on taking a RB (and admittedly they really need one), but I wouldn't take Brodner and possibly pass on better players at other positions. 

ATH-Deshaute Jones (Ohio)  Is a high school QB but wouldn't be a QB with the Badgers (5-10, 170 runner).  With those dimensions he's probably a WR or CB for the Badgers.  This young man really excites me, looks to be pretty dynamic and is another guy I think the big schools have overlooked.  General thought is if he wants to play QB then he will go to Georgia Tech, if he wants to stay close to home then it will be Cincinnati and if those two things end up not mattering so much then it will be Wisconsin.  I'm guessing he will be a Badger.

Didn't get to see Brodner play th S year as Glenbard West didn't play Wheaton Warrenville South this year, but he's a true football player. Not sure if the measurable stack up, though. Top shelf kid, though. 

Does he really excite you?

Well, he was the best football player on the state 8A IL state champion, if that means anything. 

The stud down here of course course is Josh King- this kid is a state Champion wrestler, all state DE, incredible talent... Going to MSU. Need to get some of these guys...

According to Rivals the Badgers have a cornerback from Texas visiting this weekend.  Caesar Williams, 6-0, 171.  He only has two other power five offers, Illinois and Indiana.  Kind of surprising, I figured they were done with defensive backs after getting a verbal from Dontye Carriere-Williams in December (brought the number of DBs in this class to 5).  Both Ted Gilmore and Daronte Jones are listed as his main recruiter on the Rivals page, but Texas is Gilmore's territory and is not Jones' territory...so if Jones is involved then it's very likely Caesar is being recruited to play cornerback.  His twitter page list Wisconsin, SMU and Indiana as his top 3. 

Looks like Colorado ATH-Deron Harrell has accepted a greyshirt offer from the Badgers.

http://247sports.com/Bolt/BREA...o-Wisconsin-42912204

Former Badger commit Craig Watts committed to South Florida.  That means he has committed to NC, Wis, Col and now SF.  

This is why you don't get worked up over the fickle decision making of teenagers.  

PackerJoe posted:

Looks like Colorado ATH-Deron Harrell has accepted a greyshirt offer from the Badgers.

http://247sports.com/Bolt/BREA...o-Wisconsin-42912204

Honestly, they need receivers. I wonder if that's in the cards...

Sam Brodner got an official offer from the Badgers a couple days ago and will be taking his official visit to Madison this weekend.  A commitment from him is expected early next week.

Start with the bad news.

Wisconsin commit DT-Garrett Rand, considered to be one of the three best players in Wisconsin's commit list, is visiting UCLA this weekend and the thought around Madison is that he is 100% gone.  If Rand does leave, his loss can likely be tied to Aranda leaving.

Now with the good news.

Anyone who follows recruiting at all knows about Jim Harbaugh pulling about the lowest class move imaginable, pulling the scholarship of a recruit THAT HAD BEEN COMMITTED TO MICHIGAN SINCE NOVEMBER 2013 a mere two weeks before signing day.  That recruit is OT-Erik Swenson from Downers Grove, IL, a 4-star prospect and the #2 ranked prospect in the state of Illinois by Rivals.  A bunch of 247Sport's contributors are predicting Swenson ends up at Wisconsin.  Personally I think it's a long-shot.  #1 - The Badgers really hadn't had much contact with Swenson since he had been so solid to Michigan for so long and other schools had kept in contact with him.  #2 - The Badger staff had given every indication that they were only going to sign 2 OLmen in this class and no more (although I think that is a mistake because they are short on the number of offensive linemen on scholarship).  My gut feeling is that Swenson ends up at Northwestern.  But lots of experts out there say Wisconsin.  I'd love to have him.  If anything, maybe the Badgers will benefit from residual effects of Harbaugh's actions.  High school coaches have good memories, and it could work to Wisconsin's benefit if Chicago area coaches start viewing Harbaugh as a lying scumbag.

And in the somewhat stunning department, Texas ATH-Lil'Jordan Humphrey will be on an official visit to Wisconsin this weekend.  He is only a 3-star player on Rivals but Scout has him as the 250th best player in the country.  Wisconsin has been after him since day one but most thought that Bucky landing him was just a dream.  Humphrey is likely being recruited to play WR and would be a huge get if Ted Gilmore can get him to come north.  Humphrey lists Texas, Wisconsin and Texas Tech as his three choices.

Sam Brodner gave the Badgers a verbal commitment this afternoon.

Apparently Erik Swenson was in Madison this weekend but it was not an official visit.

Badgers currently at 24 and that number includes Garrett Rand. 

CB-Caesar Williams committed to the Badgers today.  That brings the number in this class to 25.  It's possible the Badgers can go over that number (somebody on the BadgerNation board says they have two exemptions and can sign up to 27).  If you add up all the scholarships they are at 88, 3 over the limit.  It's very likely they will lose at least three more players due to grades, transfers, injury, etc...but I don't see a big exodus of players.  They also could try and bump a current recruit to greyshirt status to add another player, but it's not something the Badgers have done very much in the past and I would be a bit surprised if Chryst would do that.

As of now most of the discussion revolves around four players (two potential losses and two potential additions).  As far as the losses, DT-Garrett Rand could flip to UCLA and CB-Ke'Shan Pennamon visited Rutgers last weekend and could end up going there.  As far as potential additions, OL-Erik Swenson and ATH-Lil'Jordan Humphrey (probably WR) are still in play for the Badgers.  As far as other players I had discussed earlier...ATH-Deshaute Jones is likely to Cincinnati (the Badgers made a big push but couldn't get him in for a visit)...and all has been quiet regarding S-Eric Burrell, OL-Patrick Kasl, WR-Quintez Cephus and DE-Keldric Preston which hopefully means they all will remain Badgers.

Listing of the 25 commitments as of today, along with their home state and star ratings according to Rivals.  Position listed is where they are expected to begin their Badger career.

QB - Kare' Lyles (Arizona) (3 star)

RB - Sam Brodner (Illinois) (3 star)

WR - A.J. Taylor (Missouri) (4 star)

WR - Quintez Cephus (Georgia) (3 star)

WR - Kendric Pryor (Illinois) (3 star)

TE - Jake Hescock (Connecticut) (3 star)

OL - Cole Van Lanen (Wisconsin) (4 star)

OL - Patrick Kasl (Minnesota) (3 star)

DE - Luke Benzschawel (Wisconsin) (3 star)

DE - Isaiahh Loudermilk (Kansas) (3 star)

DE - Keldric Preston (Florida) (3 star)

DT - Garrett Rand (Arizona) (4 star)

DT - Tyler Biadasz (Wisconsin) (3 star)

LB - Noah Burks (Indiana) (4 stars)

LB - Griffin Grady (Ohio) (3 stars)

LB - Dallas Jeanty (Florida) (3 stars)

LB - Mason Stokke (Wisconsin) (3 stars)

CB - Dontye Carriere-Williams (Florida) (3 stars)

CB - Ke'Shan Pennamon (Florida) (3 stars)

CB - Caesar Williams (Texas) (2 stars)

S - Eric Burrell (Maryland) (3 stars)

S - Seth Currens (Ohio) (3 stars)

S - Patrick Johnson (Maryland) (3 stars)

P - Anthony Lotti (Georgia) (3 stars)

LS - Jake Cesear (California) (2 stars)

Correction to a previous post, CB-Ke'Shan Pennamon was scheduled to take an official visit to Rutgers last weekend but it was canceled due to the weather.  Scout lists him at taking an official visit to Rutgers this coming weekend.

So far the Badgers have two preferred walk on commitments:

WR - Jack Pipp (Thiensville, Wisconsin)

DT - Aaron Maternowski (Slinger, Wisconsin)

Those two players will be on campus this weekend along with four more candidates for preferred walk on candidates:

QB - Conor Blount (Waukesha, Wisconsin)

WR - Adam Krumholz (Stoughton, Wisconsin)

OLB - Nick Kramer (Plymouth, Minnesota)

S - Cristian Volpentesta (Highland Park, Illinois)

Recruiting Map

Lil Humph chose elsewhere

Oates with a pretty good perspective on why recruiting is tougher for UW...

http://m.host.madison.com/wsj/...19-80aa8f7a50a9.html

Erik Swenson to Oklahoma.  Now it seems like the only two names to watch are DT-Garrett Rand and CB-Ke'Shan Pennamon.

Two more preferred walk-on commitments confirmed:

QB-Andres Castillo (Olney, Maryland)

S - Cristian Volpentesta (Highland Park, Illinois)

Castillo was an option QB that didn't throw the ball very much and isn't very big so he probably ends up as a wide receiver or safety.  His dad is the offensive line coach for the Ravens and has been an NFL assistant since 1995.