With head coach Paul Chryst scheduled to announce Wisconsin's 2018 recruiting class Wednesday, BadgerBlitz.com contributors Jon Gorman, John Veldhuis and Jon McNamara provided their insight on the expected crop.

Note: This report reflects UW's recruiting class as of 12/18/17 and does not include prospects the Badgers could add after the early signing period.

National Signing Day: A look at Wisconsin's 2017 recruiting class | Five things to know about the new early signing period | Wisconsin's 2019 commit list |

Veldhuis: Right from the get-go it's always looked like four-star linebacker Jack Sanborn would be a perfect for Wisconsin's defensive scheme, and I think in the long run he's going to turn out to have a very successful career at UW. The Badgers needed to add some depth at inside linebacker with so many upperclassmen already on campus, which gives Sanborn some time to redshirt and learn the scheme. But I think his mix of athleticism and football savvy will allow him to thrive early in his career at Wisconsin.

Gorman: In the years we’ve been doing this article, this is likely the toughest choice in terms of “top prospect.” This Badgers class is very solid with a lot of players who can contribute early, but few sure-fire stars such as Jonathan Taylor or Danny Davis were last year.

Based off offer list and playmaking ability, however, I think this year's award has to go to Aron Cruickshank. The speedster from New York will bring something Wisconsin doesn’t have a ton of on offense: Speed. Cruickshank is only 5-foot-10 and 168 pounds, but he flat out flies with the ball in his hands. With kick returner Derrick Tindal graduating and punt returner Nick Nelson likely off to the NFL, Cruickshank, an early enrollee, could step in early as a return specialist and become a playmaker early on for the Badgers.

McNamara: This class doesn't have a no-doubt top prospect, so I'll make what is (likely) a surprising choice. I'm going with offensive lineman Michael Furtney, who was one of the most heavily recruited prospects in the Midwest this winter.

From Midwest Recruiting Analyst Josh Helmholdt: "Furtney was one of the most popular offensive line prospects in the Midwest this winter and one key reason for that is his versatility. Getting a player who could legitimately step into any of the five offensive line spots is rare, but Furtney cannot be ruled out for any of those positions.

"He has a decent-sized frame and plus-athleticism for the position. This early commitment also gives him a head start on preparing himself physically the way the Wisconsin coaches want him so that he could have a chance to contribute early in his career."

Veldhuis: Bryson Williams is the obvious choice, since the Badgers would have been hurting for depth at nose guard without him and he's physically ready to step in and play. But Wisconsin is probably going to need some of their younger defensive backs to step up and play early - I'm guessing that one of Travion Blaylock or Donte Burton will see the field early.

Gorman: The easy answer here has to be Williams. After holding off a late push from his home school of Nebraska, Williams will likely step into a prominent role of backup nose tackle, a hugely important role in Jim Leonhard’s 3-4 defense. This year, sophomore Garrett Rand was backing up Olive Sagapolu in the middle, but Rand has always been a better fit for SSDE, and Williams will likely get meaningful snaps early and often.

McNamara: I think Williams is the correct choice here, but there's no reason why Nakia Watson can't contribute as a true freshman. A year ago at this time, we were talking about the logjam in front of Jonathan Taylor. Well, he emerged as the top tailback on campus this fall. I don't think Watson will come close to accomplishing what Taylor did in 2017, but the Texas standout will play if he's ready (physically and mentally).

Veldhuis: There's always a Wisconsin-native who steps up and outperforms his recruiting ranking during his career at UW, and my pick in this class is three-star linebacker Mason Platter. He's got a great frame for the outside linebacker spot at 6-foot-5, 226 pounds, and he's got the motor to work hard and develop into another playmaking pass rusher for the Badgers over the next few years.

Gorman: It’s tough to call a quarterback a sleeper, but I think Chase Wolf is going undervalued by Wisconsin fans. Despite only having one year of experience under his best, Wisconsin had to beat off both South Carolina and Florida in order to get Wolf’s signature. He’s had a quiet recruitment ever since, but there are plenty of reasons UW fans should be excited. Wolf is probably the most athletic quarterback the Badgers will have as soon as he steps on campus, and he shows the accuracy to fit the ball into tight spaces. Wolf just finished his senior year throwing for over 2,300 yards and 25 touchdowns to only three interceptions.

McNamara: I don't think we're talking enough about Isaiah Mullens, who is now listed at 6-foot-6 and 280 pounds. The Ohio standout didn't have the flashiest offer sheet, but there was talk that Ohio State wanted to offer right before Mullens' commitment to UW this summer. Size and athletic ability make Mullens a perfect fit at end in the Badgers' 3-4 scheme.

Veldhuis: I think we saw who the Badgers viewed as their most needed prospect over the last few weeks with the amount of attention they gave to Williams as they tried to fend off Nebraska and new head coach Scott Frost. The 3-4 nose guard position is vital to Wisconsin's success defensively, and they needed to get a solid prospect in the pipeline in this class - someone who could get snaps this year and be ready to take over the job when Olive Sagapolu graduates. You have to give the Badgers credit for getting the job done in his recruitment.

Gorman: With the Badgers losing three-fourths of their starting secondary, defensive back has become an immediate question mark. Leonhard will be returning Dontye Carriere-Williams, but everything behind him is largely unproven. As such, Alex Smith, Donte Burton and Travian Blaylock will have the ability to step in and contribute right away. The Badgers will get a major boost of one of the three is able to contribute in at least a nickel role as a true freshman.

McNamara: I'll go a different route and say safety Reggie Pearson, who helped open the Michigan floodgates in this class. Wisconsin's first pledge in this class, Pearson was also the vocal leader of the group, something that will likely carry onto the field and locker room when he arrives on campus this spring. In total, UW is expected to sign five players from Michigan on Wednesday.

Veldhuis: What surprised me the most about this class wasn't a particular prospect - it was how the Badgers added another group of talented wide receivers to what is already a young and athletic position group. In signing Issac Guerendo, Aron Cruickshank, A.J. Abbott and Taj Mustapha the Badgers are doing what they need to do to make sure they have more talent at wide receiver: grab a couple prospects when you have room for them, develop them and see if one or two turn out to be play-makers.

Gorman: I think Jaylan Franklin will surprise some people before his career at Wisconsin is finished. The Badgers are going to have a tough time replacing Troy Fumagalli and in an offense that often plays two or three tight ends at a time, Franklin will have plenty of opportunities to play early if he can prove himself. Franklin played quarterback this fall but, not unlikely other successful Badger TEs of the past, the three-star prospect exhibits the athleticism needed to make a seamless transition.

McNamara: I was pretty surprised at how quickly things went from start to finish with Donte Burton. Wisconsin turned up the heat in September, got him on campus to close the month and locked up his pledge during an official on Oct. 1. A one-time North Carolina pledge, Burton also had offers from Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, Oregon, Louisville, Nebraska and Virginia Tech, among others.

Veldhuis: I keep wondering why Nakia Watson was listed as a three-star prospect, and I think he's going to out-perform his ranking when his career at UW is finished. He's going to have to wait a little while for playing time with Jonathan Taylor on campus for at least two more years, but I think Watson is a good fit for Wisconsin's offense who will really shine when he gets an opportunity to play.

Gorman: Many were skeptical when the Badgers offered and then received a commitment from Isaac Guerendo, especially after having three wide receiver commitments already. But what Guerendo has been able to do his senior year was remarkable. Named the receiver of the year in Indiana, Guerendo has exhibited blazing speed and vast improved hands for his Avon team, and has produced big play after big play. If someone is going to outperform their ranking this year, it will be him.

McNamara: I've said countless times that C.J. Goetz was the best player in the state and I'm sticking to that statement. His 5.5, three-star rating is too low, in my opinion, and I think Goetz is going to be a big-time talent for the Badgers at outside linebacker.