MADISON - For a number of young prospects, Wednesday morning represents one of the biggest days in their lives. It's national signing day and so far, 12 prospects have signed letters of intent to play football at UW, including Jake Meador, a late addition to the UW class.
Meador, a three-star offensive line prospect, chose Wisconsin over Missouri and Florida. He checks in at 6-foot-7 and 305 pounds from Whiteland (IN). Meador visited Wisconsin this past weekend.
Arthur Goldberg, a three-star defensive tackle prospect, kicked off the signing day festivities by sending his letter of intent to Bret Bielema's office at 7:15 a.m.
"It's official," Goldberg communicated via text. "I'm a Badger! I'm humbled.
"It's amazing."
Shortly after Goldberg sent in his paperwork, three-star wide receiver prospect Reggie Love made his verbal commitment official.
"Yes sir," Love said via text message. "I have signed and faxed my letter of intent to Wisconsin. I'm a Badger, sir. It feels great to sign with the best college team and to know that I'm going to be getting a great education.
"It's a great feeling."
Love, at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, is the only wide receiver prospect in the 2012 recruiting class.
Leo Musso, who just recently received a scholarship offer to play for the Badgers, verbally committed late last week. He made his decision official by sending in his paperwork with high school teammate Jack Russell.
Musso is likely going to start his Badger career on the defensive side of the ball. Russell, a walk-on kicker, will have a chance to win the starting job once he gets into fall camp.
"Me and Jack just faxed it," Musso communicated at 7:44 a.m. "It's definitely a blessing to get the opportunity to play at the best university in college football.
"I'm very excited."
Reggie Mitchell, a two-star defensive back, followed suit shortly after Musso.
"It feels like a big weight has just been lifted off my shoulders," Mitchell said via text. "I'm so thankful. All the praying, stressing and all the crazy workouts have definitely paid off."
D.J. Singleton, the No. 27 ranked safety in the country, sent in his letter of intent. He enters the program with a 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame that will suit the safety position just fine.
All-State and All-American linebacker Vince Biegel sent in his letter of intent. He enters the program as the state of Wisconsin's top player.
At 10:53 a.m., quarterback Bart Houston, arguably the most important piece to the 2012 recruiting class, sent in his paperwork.
"It's now in writing that I'm a Badger," Houston communicated via text. "It feels amazing. It's a new chapter in my life that I cannot wait to experience."
Houston is rated as the No. 12 pro-style quarterback in the nation out of De La Salle high school in California.
Walker Williams, from Tacoma (WA), was the last scholarship player to sign his letter of intent. He did so during a signing ceremony from 10-11 a.m. (ct).
"It feels great," Williams said via text message. "It's somewhat of a relief."
Earlier in the week Williams said Ohio State and head coach Urban Meyer had offered a full-ride scholarship to play for the Buckeyes. Williams, though, stuck with his original commitment.
Several walk-ons also faxed in their letters of intent, starting with Trent Denlinger, a defensive end prospect from Cuba City (WI).
Jake Rademacher, a 6-foot-2, 220-pound linebacker from Wales (WI), Russell, a 6-foot kicker from Waunakee (WI), Logan Schmidt, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound defensive end from Gotham (WI) and Alex Walker, a 6-foot-5, 220-pound tight end from Glendale (WI) all enter the program as preferred walk-ons.
Matt Prell, a tight end preferred walk-on from Kenosha Bradford, the same school as Badger players Melvin Gordon and Vonte Jackson, has also sent in his letter of intent this morning.