The pipeline from St. Louis’ Hazelwood East High School is growing exponentially, thanks to the commitment of two senior prospects during their official visits this weekend.

Brandon Williams, a 5-10, 170-pound wide receiver/cornerback, and Tony Moss, a 6-foot, 175-pound running back/defensive back, gave their verbals in Madison this weekend.

And there could be a third in a couple of weeks. Cornerback Darnell Ray had to postpone his official visit to Dec. 14, but has grown up best friends with Williams and current Badger Scott Starks.

Williams said he planned on giving his commitment during his visit weekend all along.

“I’ve wanted to come to Wisconsin since my junior year,” Williams said. “I already had my best friend Scott Starks up there, so he kind of showed me the ropes.”

Starks hosted Williams on his official visit. Williams toured the UW campus, attended a UW basketball game, hung out with current players and former Badgers Ron Dayne and Eddie Faulkner, and talked to professors and academic advisors about his career path.

Williams said UW lived up to his expectations during the visit, and he’s hoping to follow the same path of success Jamar Fletcher and Starks have paved for him.

“When you see players that you were just talking to at your old high school (become) big superstars, per se, you kind of want to follow in their footsteps and look up to them,” Williams said. “They set the standard, and now I have to follow it.”

Williams helped Hazelwood East finish 13-1 this season (losing in the state championship game) with 33 catches for 600 yards and eight touchdowns. Defensively, he had four interceptions including an 80-yard interception return for a touchdown, along with two punt returns for a touchdown and 300 return yards overall.

He hopes to parlay his fine senior campaign into a successful debut next year.

“The (UW coaches) said they are waiting to see what Lee Evans is going to do. They want him to come back and they think he (will),” Williams said. “I hope he comes back too because he’ll be able to teach me a lot of things at the position. They said I’ll be able to get some playing time because they’re all about competition. They said whoever the better player is will touch the field and that’s how I feel.”

Williams said Hazelwood East is a football factory because of the work ethic of the players year-round. He said the offseason weight room program has made the school a powerhouse and individually, he’s earned everything he’s obtained through his dedication to the sport.

“I don’t like to boast, but I have pretty good speed, and I worked really hard on that, because freshman year I wasn’t all that fast,” Williams said.

Williams’ 4.4 speed and his crisp routes are the two things he claims as his biggest assets on the football field.

Off the field, Williams is a hard worker as well. He plans to major in accounting or marketing at UW and eventually head to law school.

He’s looking forward to clashing with his old pal “Sparky” on the practice fields next year, renewing a friendly rivalry they’ve had since they were little kids.

“All through high school we went head-to-head,” Williams said. “It’s just going to be another challenge. (Starks) is the best. He’s starting to be the best in the business, so if I’m going against him in practice, I’ll get better every day.”

Williams said while Badger fans might be wondering who Moss is, they will be thrilled to know he’s an excellent all-around athlete.

“Tony is sweet. He has pure speed and he can make anybody miss,” Williams said. “I think he can play both sides of the ball too. I really don’t know where (he’ll play) because you have Anthony Davis and Jerone Pettus…but with his speed and his athletic ability, he’ll be able to get somewhere on the field…and of course, Darnell is one of my best friends. He’s a real phenomenal athlete. He can really have success in that program. Anybody can.”