In-state linebacker Leo Chenal is first for Badgers in 2019 class

Wisconsin special teams coordinator Chris Haering got exactly what he wanted Sunday evening.

After he extended an offer to Leo Chenal on Saturday in Madison, Haering wanted the in-state linebacker to be commit No. 1 for the Badgers in the 2019 class.

And that's exactly what happened.

A 6-foot-2, 220-pound prospect junior from Grantsburg, Chenal, a projected inside backer, pledged to UW over an offer from South Dakota State and interest from Iowa, Minnesota and North Dakota State, among others.

"First of all I want to thank my family and friends for being extremely supportive of my goals," Chenal told BadgerBlitz.com in a previous interview. "Coach (Adam) Hale has also done so much for me as a recruit and I am very grateful for that. But before Saturday, I have never actually been to a Badgers' game. So (older brother) John (Chenal) and I, along with my friends and family, decided we should jump on the opportunity.

"When we arrived, there was a nice lunch set up for the recruits and I had the opportunity to listen to the Badger staff and alumni speak about the University. The stories of average players going in and coming out as not only the best players they can be, but very successful people, interested me. A lot of colleges pour money into their equipment or things like that, but what impresses me more than that is that Madison is committed to helping each player develop and succeed on and off the field with many different opportunities."