Wisconsin's Sweet 16: February Edition

The Sweet 16 ranking is based on a combination of three factors: position need, interest in Wisconsin and talent level.

Note: All quotes used in this report are from the Rivals.com network.

DECEMBER EDITION | JANUARY EDITION |

Offers: Duke, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Syracuse and Wisconsin, among others

Previous Rank: 1

The Word: Wisconsin really likes where it sits with Jack Sanborn heading into the spring. The three-star prospect from Illinois visited unofficially this fall for the Badgers' game against Ohio State and came away very impressed. Northwestern and Iowa are likely UW's top competition at this point for his services, but a handful of other schools - including Ohio State and Michigan - could be close to offering.

“Wisconsin, I know they are going to be there throughout the whole thing,” Sanborn told Rivals.com. “They have everything and check all the boxes. They have the academics and are one of the best teams in the country every single year. I visited for the Ohio State game, and just the atmosphere driving down State Street is incredible.”

Offers: Wisconsin, Syracuse

Previous Rank: 2

The Word: Reggie Jennings was the first in-state prospect in the 2018 class to pick up an offer from Paul Chryst and Wisconsin. An all-state player as a junior, Jennings received his second scholarship from Syracuse this winter, but the Brookfield Central standout could be closing in on a commitment to UW.

"There's no timeline for a commitment, but I have been thinking about it," Jennings told BadgerBlitz.com after his junior day visit in January. "I'll commit sometime in the near future."

With commitments already in from fellow in-state juniors Trent Ingalls, CJ Goetz, Boyd Dietzen and Mason Platter, Jennings may feel inclined to speed his process up with a trip to Michigan State on the horizon.

Offers: Wisconsin, Kentucky, Missouri, Minnesota, Cincinnati, Princeton, Vanderbilt, Nebraska, Virginia and Purdue, among others

Previous Rank: 6

The Word: Micahel Furtney, who is now up to 25 scholarship offers, has been one of the hottest prospects in the Midwest this winter. Wisconsin, Vanderbilt, Nebraska, Virginia and Purdue have all extended recent offers, and the three-star prospects recently took visits to Vanderbilt, Missouri, Iowa State, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

"Wisconsin was amazing," Furtney told BadgerBlitz.com. "I had a great time. It was my best visit there so far."

Expect a decision from Furtney this spring with the Badgers positioned well in his recruitment.

Offers: Clemson, Louisville, Michigan State, Minnesota, North Carolina State, Syracuse, South Florida and Wisconsin, among others

Previous Rank: 3

The Word: After visiting unofficially in late October, four-star cornerback Marquis Williams named Wisconsin his leader. There's still a very long way to go, but his current standing with the Badgers puts Williams in the No. 3 spot.

"They (Wisconsin) are leading, hands down," Williams told BadgerBlitz.com. "It was love as soon as I stepped in the building.

"My relationship with coach (Jim) Leonhard is amazing. Coach Leonhard is a guy that I'll love to play for. He keeps it real and he loves his guys. He'll get you ready for the next level, so our bond is like a son to father bond."

“Williams recently visited Wisconsin and seemed to enjoy the trip. He has a number of offers on the table in front of him. Williams does a number of nice things in the defensive backfield but shines when it comes to recovery. He gives up a step from time to time but uses his burst and ball skills to make up for it before the pass is completed.” - Josh Helmholdt

Top 5: Alabama, Florida State, Michigan, Ohio State and Wisconsin

Previous Rank: 15

The Word: Wisconsin finds itself in some elite company in its pursuit of Jeremy Ruckert, who currently has the Badgers in his top five. Could 2017 signee Jack Coan be the Badgers' ace in the hole?

"The coaches there (Wisconsin) are really good guys," Ruckert told Rivals.com. "They're real, they're not fake. Their quarterback is from a couple of towns over (Coan) is committed there and he and I are really good friends. He's had a big impact (on his Wisconsin interest). The way they have used the tight ends the last few years is a big thing."

Expect the four-star tight end to be on campus in March for his first visit to UW.

Offers: East Carolina, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Princeton, Purdue, Vanderbilt, Ohio, Old Dominion and Appalachian State, among others

Previous Rank: 12

The Word: Jahmir Smith, who rushed for 2,130 yards and 41 touchdowns as a junior, picked up an offer from position coach John Settle in December. Next month, the three-star prospect from North Carolina will visit Madison unofficially.

"I know they're a Big Ten school and their running game is crazy," Smith told BadgerBlitz.com. "The coaches are nice guys. I talked to them over the phone about midway through the season. I should meet them soon.

"I know they're in the Big Ten and the have a good running game. I'm looking forward to the visit."

Offers: Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Indiana, Iowa State, Louisville, Toledo and Wisconsin

Previous Rank: 13

The Word: Wisconsin has been out in front for Keondrae Miller since the 2018 defensive back picked up an offer from the Badgers last summer.

A big reason for that, according to the Admiral Farragut Academy (FL) standout, is his relationship with potential position coach Jim Leonhard.

"He’s (Leonhard) a really great guy and he actually just got promoted to defensive coordinator," Miller told Rivals.com. "He’s definitely up there on the coaches that I trust.

"He’s just a great guy and I like the vibe that I get from him. He’s not just trying to tell me what I want to hear, he’s very straightforward with me and I like that about him."

A 6-foot-1, 184-pound junior, Miller was actually in Madison in 2011 when Russell Wilson was the quarterback for the Badgers.

"Wisconsin has just always been my favorite team since they had J.J. Watt," Miller said. "I actually wanted to be a quarterback when I was in Little League, and the first college game I actually went to, Russell Wilson was the quarterback. So when I went there, I saw him at quarterback and I really liked the environment – I liked the people and the fans. I wanted to travel and I wanted to see the cold weather, and Wisconsin had that. I was thinking that I can’t wait to be here in college. Seeing it at eye-level compared to TV is a total difference."

Offers: LSU, Iowa State, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Pittsburgh, South Florida, Rutgers, West Virginia and Wisconsin, among others

Previous Rank: 4

The Word: Assistant coach Inoke Breckterfield has made four-star outside linebacker Andrew Chatfield a huge target in the 2018 class. The Badgers got off to a quick start but LSU may have jumped into the lead with a recent offer. Miami, Florida and Florida State could all be close to offering.

"Wisconsin really likes me as that outside linebacker or defensive end-type," Chatfield told BadgerBlitz.com. "They think I'm really versatile and love how I can move from position to position.

"They want me to play on the edge and get to the quarterback."

Something that could work in UW's favor, though, is Breckterfield's recent offer to Chatfield's prep teammate Calvin Hart. Wisconsin could work the angle of playing together at the next level.

Offers: Illinois, Iowa, Memphis, Missouri, Northwestern, Syracuse and Wisconsin

Previous Rank: 7

The Word: With the ability to play on either side of the ball and two commits already at safety - Reggie Pearson and Trent Ingalls - Wisconsin will likely view Dallas Craddieth as a receiver or even cornerback moving forward. He visited in January for junior day and placed the Badgers in his top group.

"I'm really liking Missouri, Iowa and Wisconsin as of right now," Craddieth told BadgerBlitz.com. "With Wisconsin, they were high on my list before I visited, so they're still there now. It's all about getting to know the coaches and building a relationship with them and coming back for a practice or a game.

"As far as a decision, if not before the season starts then definitely a month or so after."

Offer: Wisconsin

Previous Rank: 8

The Word: Wisconsin became the first school to offer three-star Quavian White, who was on campus this past fall for the Ohio State game. The South Carolina prospect could play on either side of the ball at the next level

"Even though Wisconsin is my only offer, they would still be my leader even if I had 15 to 20 offers," White told BadgerBlitz.com. "They like me as an athlete. They said that I can play offense and defense at Wisconsin, which I am very pumped about. I'm willing to play any position that they want me to play - running back, wide receiver, defensive back, anything. I just want to have an opportunity to get on the field."

Offers: Nebraska, Central Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa State, Northwestern, Penn State, Princeton and Wisconsin

Previous Rank: 5

The Word: The Badgers offered four-star defensive end Devin O'Rourke this past summer and got the four-star defensive end of campus this fall for an unofficial visit.

"Never have I been in a stadium with the fans so into the game," O'Rourke told BadgerBlitz.com after the Ohio State game. "I couldn't believe how loud and intense it was, you really have to experience it to understand what it's like.

"Wisconsin is definitely in my top couple potential schools."

The Badgers, though, could be losing some momentum in his recruitment.

"I looked really hard early at both Illinois and Northwestern," Rourke told Rivals.com. "I still like both schools but now that more and more colleges are starting to offer me I'm just looking at everyone equally these days.

"I'm heading down to Indiana on Sunday for a visit. I'm also going to get back to Illinois when they host the state wrestling finals. I'm also planning to visit Northwestern on March 4."

Offers: Wisconsin, Alabama, Georgia, Nebraska, Ohio State, Michigan State, Ohio, Toledo, Western Michigan, Cincinnati, West Virginia and Kentucky, among others

Previous Rank: 9

The Word: At 6-foot-2 and 227 pounds, Tavion Thomas, who recently picked up a scholarship from the Badgers in January, could be a big, bruising back to compliment 2017 signee Jonathan Taylor. But his offer list has exploded in recent weeks with scholarships coming in from Ohio State, Alabama and Georgia, among others.

"This is really amazing that I have the Wisconsin offer now," Thomas told BadgerBlitz.com. "I never knew that I would get Wisconsin, but this offer really means the world to me and my family. I'm just really thankful.

"I'm blessed that they gave me an offer. I was waiting on them since my 10th grade year when my coach told me that Wisconsin came to school and asked about me. I still can't beleive it; I'm speechless right now."

Offers: Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio State, Florida, Miami, Rutgers, North Carolina, Wisconsin and Ole Miss, among others

Previous Rank: 15

The Word: The Badgers already have a commitment from three-star quarterback Ben Bryant but haven't let off the gas in their pursuit of Artur Sitkowski, who included Wisconsin in his top group this fall.

“Definitely Florida, Miami, Rutgers, North Carolina, Wisconsin and Ole Miss,” Sitkowski told Rivals.com. “Those are definitely leaders right now. They are schools that stress about quarterbacks and a chance to play early or complete. Academics, coaching staff, and just how I feel around the university.”

Expect Sitkowski to visit Wisconsin in March.

Offers: Iowa State, Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi, Missouri, TCU, Wisconsin and Western Michigan, among others.

Previous Rank: N/A

The Word: Rivals100 lineman Marquan McCall picked up his most recent offer in January from Wisconsin shortly after making a visit to its campus.

“Wisconsin has been talking to me since my 10th grade year,” McCall told Rivals.com. “I wouldn’t say I saw (the offer) coming, but they were showing enough love to let me know they were really interested in me.”

Ranked as the No. 3 offensive guard prospect in the 2018 class, McCall actually has the versatility to play on either line in college and Wisconsin is recruiting him for the nose guard position.

“I have always been a Badgers fan and I always wanted to take a visit, so for me to take a visit was (good),” McCall said. “We took a tour around the campus. They had some ice fishing and I always wanted to see that in-person. Their facilities are just great and I like that red and white because my school is red and white also. Their coaches talk to you and tell you what’s real, so the connection is just great."

Top 10: Ohio State, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Clemson, USC, Notre Dame, Alabama, LSU, Florida and Tennessee

Previous Rank: 16

The Word: Jackson Carman, the top-ranked offensive lineman and No. 2 overall player in the Class of 2018 by Rivals.com, included the Badgers in his Christmas-Day top 10. The five-star prospect has been in contact with position coach Joe Rudolph.

“As of right now it's just a top 10," Carman told Rivals.com. "I'll probably make my decision after my senior season.”

Rivals.com Midwest recruiting analyst Josh Helmholdt wrote this earlier in the month: "Meanwhile, Carman said his relationship with Wisconsin, specifically, has grown, while senior teammate Josiah Scott enrolled early at Michigan State, which has given him a player’s perspective of the Spartan’s program."

Offers: Ohio State, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Clemson, USC, Notre Dame, Alabama, LSU, Florida and Tennessee, among others

Previous Rank: N/A

The Word: Ohio State is still considered the leader for the No. 1 defensive tackle in the country, but Wisconsin is expected to get the UW legacy on campus this spring for an unofficial visit. Taron Vincent's father, Troy Sr., was a first round draft pick out of Wisconsin and a three-time all-pro selection with the Philadelphia Eagles as a cornerback.

FSU, Alabama, Clemson and Michigan are also considered top contenders in Vincent's recruitment.

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Dropped out from January: No. 11 Julian Major and No. 14 Elijah Teague