With Wisconsin sitting on eight commitments early in the 2018 class, BadgerBlitz.com takes a look at what's left to accomplish in the current cycle.
PROJECTED SCHOLARSHIP DISTRIBUTION | DEPTH CHART | SWEET 16: APRIL EDITION |
QUARTERBACK
How many will they take? Wisconsin is expected to take two quarterbacks in the 2018 class.
Who do they already have? The Badgers have a commitment from three-star Ben Bryant
Scholarships seniors: Zero
What's next? With Wisconsin's string of offers this winter, the writing on the wall indicated Paul Chryst's desire to take two quarterbacks in this cycle. And late last month, the Badgers hosted their top two remaining targets: Chase Wolf and Carter Bradley, both of whom already held offers from UW.
A 6-foot-2, 193-pound prospect from Ohio, Wolf is currently favoring Wisconsin, South Carolina, Cincinnati and Boston College. Kentucky, Florida and Tennessee are also showing late interest in the three-star standout. Bradley, a 6-foot-2, 194-pound junior, has UW and Pittsburgh at the top of his list. Wisconsin should be able to hit on one of the two before the end of the summer.
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 do not have a commitment from a projected running back.
Scholarships seniors: Fullback Austin Ramesh
What's next? Wisconsin has a very nice stable of backs currently on campus, a group that will get even stronger when 2017 signee Jonathan Taylor arrives this summer. That said, it's likely position coach John Settle will once again look to take one elite tailback in 2018. Tavion Thomas, a punishing runner from Ohio, continues to speak highly of the Badgers despite having offers from some of the top programs in the country. Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, USC, West Virginia and Wisconsin currently make up his top 10.
Jahmir Smith and Elijah Collins, both of whom visited this spring, round out the Badgers' top three most realistic options at the position heading into the month. Neither has trimmed their respective lists, though.
WIDE RECEIVERS
How many will they take? Wisconsin is expected to take two wide receivers in the 2018 class.
Who do they already have? The Badgers do not have a commitment from a projected wide receiver.
Scholarships seniors: George Rushing, Jazz Peavy
What's next? After signing four wide outs in February, we expect that number to divide in half in 2018. Dallas Craddieth, Amad Anderson, Nikko Remigio, Jalen Nailor and Meechi Harris are high on Wisconsin early in the process, but the staff currently has 35-plus scholarships out at the position. In an ideal world, position coach Ted Gilmore, who has been active in Texas recently with offers out to Jalen Preston, Drue Jackson, Jaylen Waddle, Miles Battle, Carson Schleker, Chase Van Wagoner and Erik Ezukanma, would take one vertical threat on the outside to pair with an inside slot receiver. Someone to keep a close eye on is Aron Cruickshank, who currently has UW atop his list along with Penn State.
