3/12/2015 football Edit

In-state countdown: 4 Nathan Stanley

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. 4 Nathan Stanley

High School: Menomonie

Height/Weight/Position: 6-foot-4, 195-pound quarterback

Schools interested: Committed to Iowa

Stanley, who passed for 1,148 yards and 14 touchdowns as a sophomore, broke his throwing hand in week 1 of his junior season. After returning to action for five games, the three-star prospect committed to Iowa over an offer from Pittsburgh.

"I think just the fact that coach (Kirk) Ferentz has been there 16 years. He's had offers from NFL teams and other prestigious colleges, but he hasn't left. That security is kind of nice to know that I can play for the same coach all four years," Stanley told Rivals.com. "They have great facilities, too, but really it's about the people and the academics. They have a good program in what I plan to study (physical therapy). Also, I have family in Iowa, too."

With former Pittsburgh head coach Paul Chryst now at Wisconsin, the Badgers have also made it known that Stanley has an offer from his in-state school. His commitment, however, seems to be very strong with the Hawkeyes.

"I kind of expected it (the Wisconsin offer), but it doesn't change my mind about where I've chosen," Stanley said. "That's really all I have to say about that."