With Wisconsin's 2018 recruiting class near capacity, BadgerBlitz.com decided to release the first edition of this popular feature for the current junior cycle.
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.
No. 1: Offensive tackle Logan Brown
Offers: Alabama, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan, North Carolina, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech and Wisconsin, among others
Previous Rank: N/A
The Word: Logan Brown, a four-star offensive tackle from Michigan, has been on campus no less than five times since last June. It's early and Wisconsin will have to fight off some of the top schools in the country, but Brown, who picked up an offer at camp last summer, is high on UW early in the process.
"Michigan, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Iowa, Penn State and Alabama, those are the ones just off the top my head that I'm hearing from the most," Brown told BadgerBlitz.com. "But, yeah, I'd say Wisconsin is my favorite school right now. I feel pretty comfortable there."
If the Badgers only sign one scholarship offensive lineman (Michael Furtney) in 2018, the position will be important in the current junior cycle.
No. 2: Wide receiver Nolan Groulx
Offers: Elon, James Madison, North Carolina State, South Carolina, Wake Forest, West Virginia and Wisconsin
Previous Rank: N/A
The Word: A recent visit to Madison put Wisconsin in a good position with Nolan Groulx, a slot receiver from North Carolina. With three wide outs committed in the 2018 class, the Badgers' focus at receiver in 2019 will likely be more concentrated.
"Wisconsin, with the family atmosphere and the fans, they will definitely be near the top of my list until the end of my recruitment," Groulx told BadgerBlitz.com. "The visit went great and it was everything I could ask for. Wisconsin stacks up with all the offers I have right now."
No. 3: Running back Patrick Garwo
Offers: Army, Maryland, Morgan State, Temple, Virginia and Wisconsin
Previous Rank: N/A
The Word: Patrick Garwo's scholarship list hasn't blown up just yet, but he's arguably Wisconsin's top (and most realistic) option at the position in this class.
"When Wisconsin came to my school they told my coach about their very good running back history and said that I could be the next great one," Garwo told BadgerBlitz.com. "I would love to visit their campus to learn about their school more. I don't know specifically when, though."
No. 4: Quarterback Cade McNamara
Offers: Hawaii, Nevada, Notre Dame, San Diego State and Wisconsin
Previous Rank: N/A
The Word: From Wisconsin's three known offers out to quarterbacks in the 2019 class, Cade McNamara is the most realistic option. The standout from Las Vegas visited Madison for the first time in June.
"I'm very excited about the offer from Wisconsin," McNamara told BadgerBlitz.com. "Wisconsin is definitely a school that sets me up for the next level. The environment looks awesome and the academics are good as well.
"I really liked Coach (Jon) Budmayr, who came and watched me throw Friday morning. Coach said I was very talented and believes I would fit in perfect with who Wisconsin wants to play QB in their scheme."
A 6-foot-1, 170-pound junior from Damonte Ranch High School in Nevada, McNamara passed for 3,577 yards and 46 touchdowns last fall.
No. 5: Defensive tackle Mazi Smith
Offers: Alabama, Kentucky, Notre Dame, Louisville, Minnesota, Pittsburgh and Wisconsin, among others
Previous Rank: N/A
The Word: Logan Brown's teammate at East Kentwood High School in Michigan, Mazi Smith has also been a frequent visitor to Wisconsin. A 6-foot-3, 290-pound projected nose guard, Smith, who also picked up a scholarship last summer at camp, was on campus earlier this month.
"The coaches at Wisconsin think I fit perfect into their scheme and they keep telling me they need a dog to play that nose guard position, because not everyone can play that spot," Smith told BadgerBlitz.com. "They think that I can do that and do it well for them. Sometimes you are going to be triple-teamed and they think I can be a difference maker for them.
"Wisconsin is definitely up there and they are important to me. It's big that they were one of the first schools to really get involved with me, so I'll remember that."
No. 6: Offensive tackle Bryce Benhart
Offers: Iowa State, Minnesota, Northwestern, UCLA and Wisconsin
Previous Rank: N/A
The Word: Minnesota offensive tackle Bryce Benhart, who has kept his recruitment relatively quiet, picked up an offer from Wisconsin after a strong camp performance earlier this month. He, along with current commit Michael Furtney and Iowa pledge Jack Plumb, worked closely with position coach Joe Rudolph during the camp.
No. 7: Tight end Hayden Rucci
Offers: Boston College, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Syracuse, West Virginia and Wisconsin
Previous Rank: N/A
The Word: With Logan Lee now committed to Iowa, Hayden Rucci is arguably Wisconsin's top uncommitted tight end target in 2019. The Penn State legacy made his first visit to Madison in early June.
"Coach (Mickey) Turner recognized me being a dual threat passing-wise along with my blocking ability, which is something they can utilize," Rucci told BadgerBlitz.com. "I loved the setting. I had never been to the University of Wisconsin before, so seeing how it sits adjacent to the state capitol and Lake Mendota is super cool.
"I've also never seen a school that has all their facilities in and around their stadium. I loved the traditions of the football town of Madison as well."
No. 8: Wide receiver Cameron Phillips
Offers: Cincinnati, Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin
Previous Rank: N/A
The Word: Another 2019 visitor who was on campus in June, Cameron Phillips picked up an offer from UW during an unofficial visit. Listed as an athlete, the Badgers like the Ohio standout at receiver.
"The visit to Wisconsin was more than I expected for a town and university," Phillips told BadgerBlitz.com. "My family had never been there, so we were shocked how progressive and beautiful it was."
No. 9: Offensive tackle John Olmstead
Offers: Duke, Maryland, Nebraska, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, UCLA, Virginia and Wisconsin, among others
Previous Rank: N/A
The Word: John Olmestead will be one of the most heavily-recruited tackles in the country, but Wisconsin made a good impression during his visit in June.
"For an offensive lineman, there is no better feeling to get an offer from Wisconsin," Olmstead told BadgerBlitz.com. "My relationship with coach (Mickey) Turner is very good and it keeps building. The coaches at Wisconsin really liked me as a player and love how I play the game. But what they like about me the best is what type of person I am; they just love me as an all-around kid."
No. 10: Offensive guard/center Austin Ertl
Offers: Buffalo and South Dakota State
Previous Rank: N/A
The Word: There's still a long way to go, but Austin Ertl could prove to be the top in-state prospect in the 2019 class. And with a handful of tackles on this list, Ertl could find a home on Wisconsin's commit list as an interior lineman.
"Growing up they (UW) have always been my dream school and some of my family has gone there," Ertl told BadgerBlitz.com. "So to even think that I may have a chance to play football there excites me."
No. 11: Wide receiver Kyren Williams
Offers: Arkansas, Iowa, Iowa State, Memphis, Nebraska, Northwestern and Wisconsin
Previous Rank: N/A
The Word: After he picked up a scholarship from Wisconsin in April, Kyren Williams visited and camped at UW in early June. During the camp, Williams, who had 771 rushing yards, 630 receiving yards and 29 total touchdowns as a sophomore, received positive feedback from position coach and lead recruiter Ted Gilmore.
"Coach Gilmore told me that I was a mature route runner and that he knew I had a plan before I even ran a route," Williams told BadgerBlitz.com. "At Wisconsin, I really liked the facilities and how big they were.
"The players that were working the camp were trying to get you to your best and I really liked that about Wisconsin. They are a really good school academically and athletic-wise."
No. 12: Running back Jaren Mangham
Offers: Arizona, Colorado, Michigan State, Pittsburgh, UCLA, Syracuse, Washington State, Missouri and Kentucky, among others
Previous Rank: N/A
The Word: It's still very early, but Wisconsin will likely take just one running back in the 2019 class. Patrick Garwo ranks a bit higher, but the Badgers could also offer Michigan tailback Jaren Mangham at some point in the next few months. The standout from powerhouse Cass Tech was on campus for UW's game against Ohio State last fall.
"I loved it the visit to Wisconsin," Mangham told BadgerBlitz.com. "Even though they took a tough loss to OSU they still played hard. Their fanbase is like no other - they love their team. It was so awesome when we first walked on the field the student section started cheering 'future Badgers' and it was cool to know that they cared about the recruits also."
No. 13: Quarterback Hayden Wolff
Interest from: Florida, North Carolina, Ohio State, Purdue, Vanderbilt and Wisconsin, among others
Previous Rank: N/A
The Word: Jon Budmayr was able to evaluate a handful of quarterbacks during camp this month. And if another offer were to go out, keep an eye on Florida Hayden Wolff. The 6-foot-5, 195-pound prospect has already visited twice, most recently for camp in June.
"Coach Budmayr really liked how I threw the ball," Wolff told BadgerBlitz.com. "He told me I had a great camp and that he was very impressed with my size and arm strength. He liked my competitive attitude and how I was always first in every drill.
"I got his phone number and he asked me to give him a call next week to catch up. The coaches were very impressed with my performance. They asked me to come back up for a game next fall."
No. 14: Wide receiver Craig Young
Offers: Indiana, Toledo and Wisconsin
Previous Rank: N/A
The Word: At 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds, Craig Young brings intriguing size to the receiver position. And depending on how his body develops, he could grow into a tight end at the next level. Wisconsin is one of three early offers for the 2019 standout from Indiana.
No. 15: Cornerback Art Herndon III
Interest from: Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Tennessee and Wisconsin, among others
Previous Rank: N/A
The Word: Art Herndon III, who is still looking for his first offer, was in Madison for the Badgers' third spring practice in March and also took part in camp this month. With the way UW has recruited in Michigan, Herdon III could be a big target in 2019.
"I got to see all the facilities, I got to go on to the field, I met with all of the coaches and had great conversations about me being in their program," Herndon III told BadgerBlitz.com. "Coming down to their camp this summer could be big for me. I also got to chat with D'Cota Dixon, which was great.
"The coaches said that they loved my film and they want me to come down to their camp to be coached up and see me play in person. They said that as time goes on I'll get bigger, so don't worry much about my size because I'm a sophomore. But I have good height on me right now."
No. 16: Linebacker Leo Chenal
Offers: South Dakota State
Previous Rank: N/A
The Word: Leo Chanel and his older brother, John Chenal, took unofficial visits to Wisconsin this month. The youngest of the two already has an early offer from South Dakota State.
"I had one of the best experiences of my life," Leo Chenal said. "To get to go and see this college and talk to these coaches that I have looked up to for a long time was amazing. We toured the campus and it was very impressive. The staff was very welcoming to us and I loved the town as well. It is a classic college football campus. The ability to swim, fish and hunt also drew me in. To see the success of previous walk-ons that came from small schools like us really inspired me as well.
"I really liked their advanced equipment that they had on hand to be able to test certain things that a player can improve on. They took time to take John and I through each part of the facility so I took in a lot of information, which turned out to be very interesting. In the end, Coach Haering discussed where I was at as a recruit. He mentioned that they will watch the first few games of my junior season and if I continue to show my progress and success, an offer may be extended. I am very excited for the future and very happy about what I saw."
