With Wisconsin sitting on 19 commitments in the 2018 class, BadgerBlitz.com takes a look at what's left - if anything - to accomplish in the current cycle.
Wisconsin's 2018 recruiting class knows when they will sign | 2018 Wisconsin Football Commitment List | Team Rankings | Projected Scholarship Distribution |
QUARTERBACK
How many will they take? Wisconsin is expected to take one quarterback in the 2018 class.
Who do they already have? The Badgers have a commitment from three-star Chase Wolf.
Scholarships seniors: Zero
Potential walk(s): Nate Carter
What's next?
Chase Wolf will almost certainly be Wisconsin's lone scholarship quarterback in the 2018 class. The three-star senior from Ohio chose UW over offers from South Carolina, Boston College, Pittsburgh and Florida, among others, in May.
RUNNING BACK
How many will they take? Wisconsin is expected to take one tailback in the 2018 class.
Who do they already have? The Badgers have a commitment from tailback Nakia Watson.
Scholarships seniors: Fullback Austin Ramesh and tailback Rachid Ibrahim
Potential walk(s): Brady Schipper (committed), fullback Tyler Zirpoli
What's next?
Nakia Watson, who has had a monster senior season, secured his spot in Wisconsin's class during an unofficial visit in June. The three-star back from Westlake High School, who took his official visit in late October, chose the Badgers over offers from Bowling Green, Harvard, Central Arkansas, Harvard, North Texas and Nevada. The Badgers also made a late push for Kazmier Allen, but the three-star back from California recently committed to UCLA.
WIDE RECEIVERS
How many will they take? Wisconsin is expected to take three wide receivers in the 2018 class.
Who do they already have? The Badgers have commitments from projected wide receivers A.J. Abbott, Taj Mustapha and Aron Cruickshank.
Scholarships seniors: George Rushing, Jazz Peavy
What's next?
Wisconsin started June without a commitment at the position but ended the month at capacity. Michigan teammates Taj Mustapha and A.J. Abbott from West Bloomfield High School picked up offers at camp and committed days later. And at the close of June, the Badgers landed speedster Aron Cruickshank, who will give UW a versatile playmaker on offense and special teams. California athlete John Jackson has also been in contact with the staff recently, though an offer has not yet been extended.
TIGHT END
How many will they take? Wisconsin is expected to take two tight ends in the 2018 class.
Who do they already have? The Badgers have commitments from projected tight ends Jaylan Franklin and Cormac Sampson.
Scholarships seniors: Troy Fumagalli
Potential walk(s): Jack Eschenbach (committed), Tanner Johnson, Blake Kunz
What's next?
Jaylan Franklin took part in Wisconsin's camp on June 9. Three days later, the three-star senior committed to the Badgers over offers from Northwestern, Pittsburgh, Michigan State and Kentucky, among others.
Cormac Sampson was initially being recruited as an athlete who could play either defensive end or tight end. But during camp this summer, the three-star prospect caught passes for tight ends coaches Mickey Turner and his official offer listed his projected position as TE.
OFFENSIVE LINE
How many will they take? Wisconsin is expected to take one offensive lineman in the 2018 class.
Who do they already have? The Badgers have a commitment from three-star scholarship offensive lineman Michael Furtney.
Scholarships seniors: Zero
Potential walk(s): Andrew Lyons (committed)
What's next?
Wisconsin's scholarship numbers on the offensive line are finally getting to a healthy state after signing four in the 2017 class. Projected tackle Michael Furtney, who committed in March, is expected to be the lone scholarship lineman in the 2018 cycle.
DEFENSIVE LINE
How many will they take? Wisconsin is expected to take three defensive linemen in the 2018 class.
Who do they already have? The Badgers have commitments from projected defensive ends Boyd Dietzen and Isaiah Mullens, as well as projected tackle Bryson Williams.
Scholarships seniors: Chikwe Obasih, Alec James, Conor Sheehy
Potential walk(s): Josh Dinga
What's next?
Position coach Inoke Breckterfield landed the (likely) final piece on the defensive line in July when three-star Bryson Williams committed to the Badgers. He joins projected ends Boyd Dietzen and Isaiah Mullens in UW's 2018 class.
Despite being at capacity, keep an eye on nose tackle Tyler Bentley. The three-star prospect from Ohio is currently committed to Kentucky but official visits to Wisconsin and Pittsburgh are on his agenda this fall. The Badgers would certainly make room for an athlete of his caliber at such a crucial position. Finally, Texas end Braden Cassity picked up a greyshirt offer from UW after he visited this fall. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound senior is teammates at Westlake High School with Nakia Watson..
LINEBACKERS
How many will they take? Wisconsin is expected to take three linebackers in the 2018 class.
Who do they already have? The Badgers have commitments from projected outside linebackers CJ Goetz and Mason Platter, as well as inside backer Jack Sanborn.
Scholarships seniors: Garret Dooley, Jack Cichy, Leon Jacobs
Potential walk(s): Marty Strey (committed)
What's next?
With commitments from CJ Goetz, Mason Platter and Jack Sanborn, along with Marty Strey as a preferred walk-on, Wisconsin is set at linebacker in this class.
SAFETIES
How many will they take? Wisconsin is expected to take one safety in the 2018 class.
Who do they already have? The Badgers have a commitment from three-star Reggie Pearson.
Scholarships seniors: Joe Ferguson
What's next?
The safety position experienced a bit of a shakeup this summer. Long-time in-state commit Trent Ingalls is no longer of a member of Wisconsin's 2018 class and is not expected to play football beyond high school. Reggie Pearson, though, is still rock solid in his pledge to the Badgers.
CORNERBACKS
How many will they take? Wisconsin is expected to take three cornerbacks in the 2018 class.
Who do they already have? The Badgers have commitments from projected cornerbacks Alex Smith, Travian Blaylock and Donte Burton.
Scholarships seniors: Derrick Tindal, Natrell Jamerson and Lubern Fiagro
What's next?
After Alex Smith's commitment during an unofficial visit in June, Wisconsin had room for one more cornerback. That spot was quickly scooped up Trayvian Blaylock, who chose UW over Stanford in early July. But when Trent Ingalls back away from his pledge, Wisconsin reexamined its recruiting board and turned up the heat on Donte Burton, who committed to the Badgers in October during an official visit.
With a just a few days left before the early signing period this month, the Badgers appear to still have room for Kentucky cornerback Jairus Brents. The four-star prospect visited unofficially for UW's win over Michigan.
ATHLETES
How many will they take? Wisconsin is expected to take one athlete in the 2018 class.
Who do they already have? The Badgers have a commitment Isaac Guerendo.
Scholarships seniors: None
Potential walk(s): Fullback/middle linebacker John Chenal (committed)
What's next?
Speedster Isaac Guerendo could play receiver or defensive back for the Badgers. The three-star prospect's name surfaced on Wisconsin's radar after he recorded a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the Irish Invasion on June 11 - the fastest time at Notre Dame's camp.
Tight end/defensive end Leonard Taylor has talked about visiting Wisconsin a number of times this fall, though the four-star prospect has yet to make it to Madison.
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PROJECTED CLASS
(1) QB - Chase Wolf
(1) RB - Nakia Watson
(2) TE - Jaylan Franklin, Cormac Sampson
(3) WR - A.J. Abbott, Taj Mustapha, Aron Cruickshank
(1) OL - Michael Furtney
(4) DL - Boyd Dietzen, Isaiah Mullens, Bryson Williams, *Cassity
(3) LB - Jack Sanborn, Mason Platter, CJ Goetz
(3) CB - Alex Smith, Travian Blaylock, Donte Burton
(1) S - Reggie Pearson
(1) ATH - Isaac Guerendo
Total: 20
*Greyshirt
