The Wisconsin coaching made it a point to add more speed to the current roster, an effort that was made clear during college football's early signing period Wednesday .
The Badgers signed speedsters Isaac Guerendo (ATH), Aron Cruickshank (ATH) and Travian Blaylock (CB), all of whom have talked about running track at UW. But, according to Saeed Khalif, Director of Player Personnel, even some of Wisconsin's linemen have excelled in that department.
Five things to know about the new early signing period | Wisconsin's 2018 commit list| NSD Preview: A look at Wisconsin's 2018 recruiting class | Wisconsin Primer: Early National Signing Period | Mind of Mike: Thoughts on the Early Signing Period | TALK ABOUT EARLY SIGNING DAY IN THE BADGERS' DEN |
"From a historical precedent, it's (2018 class) different," Khalif said during an interview on uwbadgers.com's Facebook page. "This is probably the fastest class that they've signed in a long time based on what I've read. We know all these guys have measurable track speed - even some of big guys run track, like Isaiah Mullens, a guy that runs the 200 (meter dash) for his school at 280 pounds. So we've got a lot of speed in this class this year."
Other skilled position signees in class included defensive backs Donte Burton, Reggie Pearson and Alex Smith, receivers Taj Mustapha and A.J. Abbott, as well as tailback Nakia Watson.
An early enrollee, Cruickshank, listed a 5-foot-11 and 158 pounds, could help right away on special teams. The Badgers are set to graduate kick returner Derrick Tindal and may lose punter Nick Nelson early to the NFL.
"Wisconsin doesn't have any players like Aron," Erasmus Hall Campus head coach Danny Landberg told BadgerBlitz.com. "He's a true burner in the likes Curtis Samuel in regards to flat-out speed. He felt extremely comfortable there on his visit, as did his mother. They also have a strong track program, especially in the event that he runs in. He is so happy about going there and it checked off all the boxes for his questions to be answered.
"They'll use him all over - slot wide receiver, kicking game, wild cat."
