3/13/2015 football Edit

In-state countdown: 3 Tristian Pipp

Jon McNamara

BadgerBlitz.com Publisher

With Signing Day now in the books and spring camp set to open on March 15, BadgerBlitz.com will use the gap to count down the top 35 players in Wisconsin's 2016 class.

Rankings are based off in-person evaluations, film evaluations, recruiting attention and high school accolades.

Prospect: No. 3 Tristian Pipp

High School: Greendale

Height/Weight/Position: 6-foot-2, 215-pound linebacker

Offers from: Wisconsin, Iowa, Buffalo, Illinois State and Western Michigan

Pipp, a three-star prospect, earned an offer from Wisconsin in mid-February.

"I was at my uncle's basketball game and got a text from my football coach saying to call Wisconsin right now," Pipp told BadgerBlitz.com. "I called Coach (Chris) Haering and me and him started talking.

"He was just telling me about how they as a whole defensive group was able to sit down and check out my film. They called in Coach Chryst and were finally able to make a decision on what kind of player I am. I received an offer from Coach Haering and was able to talk to Coach (Joe) Rudolph and Coach (Paul) Chryst."

Since then, Pipp has taken an unofficial visit to Madison and also picked up another scholarship from Iowa.

"I don't know how to describe it," Pipp said of the Wisconsin scholarship. "It has always been a dream of mine to be able to say that Wisconsin Football is interested in me as a player. Just the tradition they have and how everyone rallies and supports them, it's almost as if everyone is behind me supporting me and it's a great feeling. My whole life, since I was a little kid, I was dressed in the Badger's outfits. It is very humbling to be recognized as a potential player for them.

"I'm still looking around, trying to see who else might be interest. But this has been, by far, the biggest impact (on my recruitment). It changes the game, but I'm still looking around trying to find somewhere that can suit me best and go from there."

Notables: All-state selection in both football and baseball in 2014. The Woodland Conference West defensive player of the year had 49 solo tackles and 88 assists with two interceptions this past fall. A two-way talent, Pipp has helped Greendale to a 22-2 record over the past two seasons.