One out, one in
Wisconsin’s official visitor list held strong at 10 this weekend, but it wasn’t without some fluctuation. Three-star athlete Malik Harrison, who was penciled in on the guest list, was on Ohio State’s campus while Pittsburgh commit Therran Coleman quietly made it to Madison.
Starting with Harrison: The 6-foot-4, 205-pound prospect appears more than willing to wait on a potential offer from the in-state Buckeyes. He was in Columbus for the second time in three weekends and, according to a source, Harrison feels a scholarship from Ohio State will indeed come. Should that happen, expect a quick response.
As far as the Badgers, they’re likely the team to beat if Harrison’s offer sheet remains the same. Indiana is also a player, and Michigan State could make some waves if it were to offer, but Harrison is very high on Wisconsin and has a connection with both Rob Wheelwright and Austin Traylor.
Furthermore, we’re told the staff actually asked Harrison to bump his official back a few weeks. We weren’t given an exact reason, but it’s likely the staff is in no rush to make an attempt at his commitment. With verbals at both tight end and receiver, Harrison is more of a luxury than a need in this class; definitely a luxury the staff will have room for and is willing to wait on, though.
With Coleman, whom we’re told has long been the staff’s No. 1 target at cornerback, he’s comfortable with his commitment to Pittsburgh but has a strong interest in Wisconsin, as well as Arizona State, Virginia Tech and West Virginia. And though the feeling is that he’ll stay committed to the Panthers, we’re told the Badgers are the most legit threat to get the three-star prospect to flip.
Coleman visited Madison this summer and was intrigued by the chance to play both receiver and corner, much like Tanner McEvoy does with wide out and safety. He also has a strong relationship with lead recruiter Chris Haering and head coach Paul Chryst, who were both heavily involved in his recruitment when they were on staff at Pitt.
Our best guess right now is that Coleman sticks with current pledge, but his official this weekend is proof Wisconsin will continue to go after him with great force. He is expected to use all five allotted visits this fall.
Rand and Sails
Defensive tackle Garrett Rand and cornerback K.J. Sails both made their second visit to Wisconsin this weekend and for the second time, both gave strong vibes that UW leads in their respective recruitments. While the Badgers may very well be out front behind the scenes, both have said on the record they plan to use all five official visits.
At this point, the most likely to pop early could very well be Rand, who has family connections to the state. Coming off another strong visit, we’re told the 6-foot-2, 275-pound prospect plans to return to Arizona and speak to his parents about a potential commitment. Should UW miss on this wave of momentum, though, there’s a very strong chance Rand does indeed take his visits.
After spending a good amount of time with Sojourn Shelton, as well as current commits Dallas Jeanty, Kare’ Lyles and Antonio Williams, among others, the staff feels very good about where they stand with Sails. Iowa is certainly considered a strong contender, but we’re told the night game at Camp Randall Stadium put the Badgers on top.
Cincinnati, South Florida, Rutgers, Pittsburgh and Utah are still involved in Sails’ recruitment, with the Utes being a darkhorse to watch down the stretch.
Rounding things out
*Though he likely won’t say it on record, Kayden Lyles is believed to be a strong Wisconsin lean after taking another unofficial visit this weekend. Having his older brother, Kare’, committed certainly helps quite a bit, but his father, Kevin, who played for the Badgers, is all about having both his sons in Madison.
A decision isn’t expected in the near future, but the youngest Lyles is also not expected to drag out his recruitment into his senior season. Should all go as planned, the Badgers will have a top 100 player in their 2017 class.
*Ke’Shan Pennamon committed to Wisconsin this weekend but quickly said he was not ruling out other schools. When asked about that, Pennamon didn’t deny his interest in other visits, though it’s certainly expected the staff will encourage him not to go that route. That said, I’m sure his name will pop up again this fall. Stay tuned.
*Carlos Becker came into his Wisconsin official with a very open mind and the visit certainly didn’t disappoint. UW is now considered a legit contender, but it will be tough to hold off Florida State, Ole Miss, Kentucky and North Carolina State this fall.
*Ivory Kelly-Martin, a 2017 running back, has been rumored to have an offer from Wisconsin. We’re told that while position coach John Settle has a great deal of interest after his strong camp performance, the staff isn’t ready to extend an offer just yet.
*Safety commit Patrick Johnson showed to his official visit on crutches this weekend. He suffered an injury that cut his senior season short but is expected to be full go once he arrives in Madison next summer.
*2017 in-state point guard Jordan Poole is quickly becoming one of the hottest prospects in the Midwest. The 6-foot-4, 185-pound prospect from Milwaukee King picked up an offer today from Michigan to go along with recent scholarships from Indiana, Illinois and Marquette among others.
Wisconsin, though, has not been in heavy contact, according to the four-star prospect.
“Not that much,” Poole told BadgerBlitz.com. “I haven’t heard from in a while.”
*Staying with hoops, Wisconsin has shown early interest in 2018 forward Nate Laszewski. His father, Jay, played for the Badgers from 1983 to 1986 and his sister, Abby, is currently committed to UW in the 2016 class.
Virginia, Sacred Heart (offered), Iowa, Duke and Notre dame have also shown interest in Nate Laszewski.
Wisconsin’s official visitor list held strong at 10 this weekend, but it wasn’t without some fluctuation. Three-star athlete Malik Harrison, who was penciled in on the guest list, was on Ohio State’s campus while Pittsburgh commit Therran Coleman quietly made it to Madison.
Starting with Harrison: The 6-foot-4, 205-pound prospect appears more than willing to wait on a potential offer from the in-state Buckeyes. He was in Columbus for the second time in three weekends and, according to a source, Harrison feels a scholarship from Ohio State will indeed come. Should that happen, expect a quick response.
As far as the Badgers, they’re likely the team to beat if Harrison’s offer sheet remains the same. Indiana is also a player, and Michigan State could make some waves if it were to offer, but Harrison is very high on Wisconsin and has a connection with both Rob Wheelwright and Austin Traylor.
Furthermore, we’re told the staff actually asked Harrison to bump his official back a few weeks. We weren’t given an exact reason, but it’s likely the staff is in no rush to make an attempt at his commitment. With verbals at both tight end and receiver, Harrison is more of a luxury than a need in this class; definitely a luxury the staff will have room for and is willing to wait on, though.
With Coleman, whom we’re told has long been the staff’s No. 1 target at cornerback, he’s comfortable with his commitment to Pittsburgh but has a strong interest in Wisconsin, as well as Arizona State, Virginia Tech and West Virginia. And though the feeling is that he’ll stay committed to the Panthers, we’re told the Badgers are the most legit threat to get the three-star prospect to flip.
Coleman visited Madison this summer and was intrigued by the chance to play both receiver and corner, much like Tanner McEvoy does with wide out and safety. He also has a strong relationship with lead recruiter Chris Haering and head coach Paul Chryst, who were both heavily involved in his recruitment when they were on staff at Pitt.
Our best guess right now is that Coleman sticks with current pledge, but his official this weekend is proof Wisconsin will continue to go after him with great force. He is expected to use all five allotted visits this fall.
Rand and Sails
Defensive tackle Garrett Rand and cornerback K.J. Sails both made their second visit to Wisconsin this weekend and for the second time, both gave strong vibes that UW leads in their respective recruitments. While the Badgers may very well be out front behind the scenes, both have said on the record they plan to use all five official visits.
At this point, the most likely to pop early could very well be Rand, who has family connections to the state. Coming off another strong visit, we’re told the 6-foot-2, 275-pound prospect plans to return to Arizona and speak to his parents about a potential commitment. Should UW miss on this wave of momentum, though, there’s a very strong chance Rand does indeed take his visits.
After spending a good amount of time with Sojourn Shelton, as well as current commits Dallas Jeanty, Kare’ Lyles and Antonio Williams, among others, the staff feels very good about where they stand with Sails. Iowa is certainly considered a strong contender, but we’re told the night game at Camp Randall Stadium put the Badgers on top.
Cincinnati, South Florida, Rutgers, Pittsburgh and Utah are still involved in Sails’ recruitment, with the Utes being a darkhorse to watch down the stretch.
Rounding things out
*Though he likely won’t say it on record, Kayden Lyles is believed to be a strong Wisconsin lean after taking another unofficial visit this weekend. Having his older brother, Kare’, committed certainly helps quite a bit, but his father, Kevin, who played for the Badgers, is all about having both his sons in Madison.
A decision isn’t expected in the near future, but the youngest Lyles is also not expected to drag out his recruitment into his senior season. Should all go as planned, the Badgers will have a top 100 player in their 2017 class.
*Ke’Shan Pennamon committed to Wisconsin this weekend but quickly said he was not ruling out other schools. When asked about that, Pennamon didn’t deny his interest in other visits, though it’s certainly expected the staff will encourage him not to go that route. That said, I’m sure his name will pop up again this fall. Stay tuned.
*Carlos Becker came into his Wisconsin official with a very open mind and the visit certainly didn’t disappoint. UW is now considered a legit contender, but it will be tough to hold off Florida State, Ole Miss, Kentucky and North Carolina State this fall.
*Ivory Kelly-Martin, a 2017 running back, has been rumored to have an offer from Wisconsin. We’re told that while position coach John Settle has a great deal of interest after his strong camp performance, the staff isn’t ready to extend an offer just yet.
*Safety commit Patrick Johnson showed to his official visit on crutches this weekend. He suffered an injury that cut his senior season short but is expected to be full go once he arrives in Madison next summer.
*2017 in-state point guard Jordan Poole is quickly becoming one of the hottest prospects in the Midwest. The 6-foot-4, 185-pound prospect from Milwaukee King picked up an offer today from Michigan to go along with recent scholarships from Indiana, Illinois and Marquette among others.
Wisconsin, though, has not been in heavy contact, according to the four-star prospect.
“Not that much,” Poole told BadgerBlitz.com. “I haven’t heard from in a while.”
*Staying with hoops, Wisconsin has shown early interest in 2018 forward Nate Laszewski. His father, Jay, played for the Badgers from 1983 to 1986 and his sister, Abby, is currently committed to UW in the 2016 class.
Virginia, Sacred Heart (offered), Iowa, Duke and Notre dame have also shown interest in Nate Laszewski.
