Settle has a productive break
Wisconsin running backs coach John Settle used the bye week to touch base with a handful of targets as he works to fill the hole at tailback in the Badgers’ 2016 class.
And as of Sunday evening, Settle’s work paid off as he secured an official visit from the three-star C.J. Freeman, and, according to a source, could be close to finalizing one with four-star George Hill. Both are targeted to be on campus for UW’s last home contest this weekend against Northwestern.
Freeman, who is currently committed to South Carolina and was on that campus unofficially this weekend, confirmed his official to Madison. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound senior from North Carolina has been high on Wisconsin since picking up an offer but isn’t expected to make a decision until after he takes his visits. Louisville, among schools, is also in the mix for Freeman, who plans to enroll early at the school of his choice.
Hill, a former Ohio State pledge, is coming off a visit to Michigan State, which is still believed to be the strong favorite. The Ohio standout is also considering Pittsburgh, West Virginia and Nebraska.
Kyle Porter is also a high-priority target with an offer, while Kentrail Moran and Khaleke Hudson, among others, could be next in line.
Thomas Schaffer and JJ Givens were previously on the Badgers’ official visitor list, which could add more names as the week progresses.
A note on Dave Aranda
***Note: What’s written below is coming from a good source but is not being reported as fact. It’s merely the opinion of that source, but we felt it was worth noting in this particular feature***
Defensive coordinator Dave Aranda’s name is — and in many coaching circles, already has — going to be very popular after Wisconsin’s final regular season contest. The man who has the Badgers’ defense sitting at No. 3 in the nation (total defense) at 272.0 yards per game will clearly be mentioned for elite coordinator positions, head coaching openings and opportunities in the NFL.
Practices have been closed to the media since the start of the regular season, but according to a source, Aranda has recently scaled back his practice responsibilities. The same source indicated Aranda “deleted tasks already” during practice preparation.
It’s the belief of this particular source that Aranda’s recent practice changes could mean he’s not expected back in Madison next season. Clearly, it would be pure speculation as to where Aranda could/is headed at this point. Furthermore, it appears unlikely that he has something concrete already lined up, but it’s not completely out of the question.
The same source also felt that whenever Aranda’s time at Wisconsin was up, head coach Paul Chryst would transition back to a 4-3 defensive, the scheme he’s more familiar with. Again, there’s a long way to go before any of this happens or becomes official, but outside linebackers coach Tim Tibesar would appear to be a strong candidate to take over coordinator responsibilities moving forward.
Harrison getting closer
After official visits to both Wisconsin and Indiana, three-star athlete Malik Harrison is expected to make his decision before the end of the year, according to a source.
The three-star senior from Ohio is still holding out for an offer from the in-state Buckeyes, but is now in favor of making his decision with the Badgers, we’re told, the likely destination. UW is sitting at 21 commitments and Harrison doesn’t want to be on the outside looking in.
A 6-foot-4, 205-pound senior, Harrison has a very strong relationship with coordinator Joe Rudolph, along with Austin Traylor and Rob Wheelwright, who have sold the school and program very well. He has already taken his official to Madison.
Taylor could play either receiver or H-back on Wisconsin, depending on how his body develops. But it’s likely he works at tight end if he chooses the Badgers, given the lack of depth at the position.
Rakocevic still in the mix
Signing Day came and went last week without any action from Wisconsin, which has one scholarship to work with in the 2016 class. As it stands, the only prospect with an offer who has yet to sign is three-star big Nick Rakocevic, who remains uncommitted.
According to the 6-foot-9, 190-pound prospect from Illinois, UW is still an option.
“I've been hearing from Wisconsin,” Rakocevic told BadgerBlitz.com. “They are going to continue to watch me play throughout my senior year.”
The Badgers’ top need, clearly, is at point guard. But after missing on their top four options, the staff may elect to take the best player available. Evidence of this could be in the most recent target, Andre Wesson, who at 6-foot-6 and 190 pounds is more of wing.
As it stands, we’re expecting the staff to move forward patiently and evaluate unsigned seniors this winter. There’s also the chance Wisconsin elects to bank its scholarship for the 2017 class.
Wisconsin running backs coach John Settle used the bye week to touch base with a handful of targets as he works to fill the hole at tailback in the Badgers’ 2016 class.
And as of Sunday evening, Settle’s work paid off as he secured an official visit from the three-star C.J. Freeman, and, according to a source, could be close to finalizing one with four-star George Hill. Both are targeted to be on campus for UW’s last home contest this weekend against Northwestern.
Freeman, who is currently committed to South Carolina and was on that campus unofficially this weekend, confirmed his official to Madison. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound senior from North Carolina has been high on Wisconsin since picking up an offer but isn’t expected to make a decision until after he takes his visits. Louisville, among schools, is also in the mix for Freeman, who plans to enroll early at the school of his choice.
Hill, a former Ohio State pledge, is coming off a visit to Michigan State, which is still believed to be the strong favorite. The Ohio standout is also considering Pittsburgh, West Virginia and Nebraska.
Kyle Porter is also a high-priority target with an offer, while Kentrail Moran and Khaleke Hudson, among others, could be next in line.
Thomas Schaffer and JJ Givens were previously on the Badgers’ official visitor list, which could add more names as the week progresses.
A note on Dave Aranda
***Note: What’s written below is coming from a good source but is not being reported as fact. It’s merely the opinion of that source, but we felt it was worth noting in this particular feature***
Defensive coordinator Dave Aranda’s name is — and in many coaching circles, already has — going to be very popular after Wisconsin’s final regular season contest. The man who has the Badgers’ defense sitting at No. 3 in the nation (total defense) at 272.0 yards per game will clearly be mentioned for elite coordinator positions, head coaching openings and opportunities in the NFL.
Practices have been closed to the media since the start of the regular season, but according to a source, Aranda has recently scaled back his practice responsibilities. The same source indicated Aranda “deleted tasks already” during practice preparation.
It’s the belief of this particular source that Aranda’s recent practice changes could mean he’s not expected back in Madison next season. Clearly, it would be pure speculation as to where Aranda could/is headed at this point. Furthermore, it appears unlikely that he has something concrete already lined up, but it’s not completely out of the question.
The same source also felt that whenever Aranda’s time at Wisconsin was up, head coach Paul Chryst would transition back to a 4-3 defensive, the scheme he’s more familiar with. Again, there’s a long way to go before any of this happens or becomes official, but outside linebackers coach Tim Tibesar would appear to be a strong candidate to take over coordinator responsibilities moving forward.
Harrison getting closer
After official visits to both Wisconsin and Indiana, three-star athlete Malik Harrison is expected to make his decision before the end of the year, according to a source.
The three-star senior from Ohio is still holding out for an offer from the in-state Buckeyes, but is now in favor of making his decision with the Badgers, we’re told, the likely destination. UW is sitting at 21 commitments and Harrison doesn’t want to be on the outside looking in.
A 6-foot-4, 205-pound senior, Harrison has a very strong relationship with coordinator Joe Rudolph, along with Austin Traylor and Rob Wheelwright, who have sold the school and program very well. He has already taken his official to Madison.
Taylor could play either receiver or H-back on Wisconsin, depending on how his body develops. But it’s likely he works at tight end if he chooses the Badgers, given the lack of depth at the position.
Rakocevic still in the mix
Signing Day came and went last week without any action from Wisconsin, which has one scholarship to work with in the 2016 class. As it stands, the only prospect with an offer who has yet to sign is three-star big Nick Rakocevic, who remains uncommitted.
According to the 6-foot-9, 190-pound prospect from Illinois, UW is still an option.
“I've been hearing from Wisconsin,” Rakocevic told BadgerBlitz.com. “They are going to continue to watch me play throughout my senior year.”
The Badgers’ top need, clearly, is at point guard. But after missing on their top four options, the staff may elect to take the best player available. Evidence of this could be in the most recent target, Andre Wesson, who at 6-foot-6 and 190 pounds is more of wing.
As it stands, we’re expecting the staff to move forward patiently and evaluate unsigned seniors this winter. There’s also the chance Wisconsin elects to bank its scholarship for the 2017 class.
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