Commits sold on Wisconsin’s future
Losing defensive coordinator Dave Aranda to LSU, which is offering a starting salary of $1.3 million per year, according to a report, is certainly a big blow for Wisconsin moving forward.
But on the recruiting front, the Badgers may come away unscathed. A number of defensive commits in the 2016 class, though intrigued by the idea of playing under Aranda, voiced their desire to remain with UW and head coach Paul Chryst.
“I'm all in,” said three-star linebacker commit Dallas Jeanty, who has already signed financial paperwork with UW and will enroll in classes this month. Jeanty is expected to work inside, with Noah Burks, Griffin Grady and Mason Stokke on the outside in this class.
“I feel like we'll still be fine, and he'll (Aranda) be successful at LSU,” said Burks, who turned heads at the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl practices this week. “I think he made the best decision for himself and his family, which I totally understand. But we'll still be using the same front on defense at Wisconsin and we'll still be successful no matter who the next defensive coordinator is.”
Grady, a three-star prospect from Ohio, echoed his future teammate.
“I'm still 100 percent committed to Wisconsin,” Griffin said. “It's sad that he (Aranda) left because he's a great coach, but I know we are keeping that 3-4 scheme, so I'm excited for what's to come. On Wisconsin!”
Maryland defensive backs Patrick Johnson and Eric Burrell both have a strong connection with position coach Daronte Jones and are solid in their commitments as well.
“I only met him once and I wish coach Aranda luck, except on Sept. 3, 2016,” Johnson said. “Him leaving has no bearing on my commitment to the great University of Wisconsin!”
Burrell received a late offer from the Terrapins but, according to a source, is sticking with his pledge to the Badgers.
The status of Luke Benzschawel, an in-state defensive end, was likely never in question. His older brother, Beau, helped Wisconsin capture a win in the Holiday Bowl against USC and his father also played for the Badgers.
“Nothing much to say, he (Aranda) was a big factor in the success of the defense this year,” Luke Benzschawel said. “But no matter who replaces him we have the players and the coaches to be successful in the B1G.”
Aranda was the lead contact for three-star defensive end Keldric Preston, though the Florida native is also solid.
“It hit me hard,” Preston said. “I didn't know what to think. But things happen. On Wisconsin."
Three-star cornerback Ke’Shan Pennamon kept it simple.
“On Wisconsin,” Pennamon responded when asked to comment on the coaching change.
All-in on Porter
After missing on top targets C.J. Freeman, Khaleke Hudson and George Hill all in the same week in mid-December, fans expected the next wave of running back offers to surface. But nothing happened.
Part of that had to do with it being a dead period, and the coaching staff was also prepping vigorously for USC. But a source indicated that Kyle Porter, fresh off a Texas state title, remains -– and has been since Antonio Williams’ decommitment -- the top option for position coach John Settle. And while many assumed the Badgers were on the outside looking in, the same source said the Badgers like their chances quite a bit with the four-star talent.
“We think he’s down to three schools, and Wisconsin is one of them,” the source said.
It’s difficult to say which schools round out Porter’s top three, should that indeed be the case, but Arkansas, Oregon, Texas, Stanford and Cal, among others, have all extended offers. And keep an eye on Northwestern, which currently has commitments from high school teammates Travis Whillock and Paddy Fischer.
The Badgers expect to get Porter on campus in late January, most likely the weekend of Jan. 29. He has yet to take any official visits and will play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 9. That would leave just three open weekends before Signing Day on Feb. 4 for official visits, though Porter could certainly take them mid-week if needed.
Not so fast
During Under Armour All-American Bowl preparation this week, word came out that four-star Minnesota commit Dredrick Snelson would take an official visit to Wisconsin at the end of this month. And while the staff is indeed recruiting the Florida standout, that trip is definitely not set in stone.
According to a source, there’s still some homework to be done on Snelson before he’s a serious option for the staff. A different source was more blunt.
“He's not a real option for anyone,” the source said. “He won't be a qualifier.
“I think Minnesota told him that or stopped talking to him because he won't be a qualifier, so now he or someone in his group is reaching out to all these schools, which is why so many schools are having their name attached to him.”
Maryland and UCF are also said to get officials this month.
Keep on eye on Hawaii defensive back
There’s some Wisconsin buzz around Hawaii cornerback Nick Nelson. The 6-foot, 200-pound sophomore started 13 games this fall but could be looking around with the coaching changes at that program.
Daronte’ Jones played at Morgan State with Melvin Coleman, who coached Nelson at Suitland High School in Maryland. That’s the connection – Jones was on staff at Hawaii – that led Nelson to the islands in 2014. The two spent one season together before Jones took his job at Wisconsin at the start of 2015.
The Badgers are in need of help at the position with just four scholarship corners expected to compete in spring camp. However, Nelson, if he does elect to transfer, would have to sit out a year at the school of his choice. Still, we’re told, the Badgers would love to add his talent and have another body in camp this off-season.
Badgers could flip scholarship commit with PWO offer
Gabe Lloyd, an 8-man football participant from Green Bay, committed to North Dakota State this summer.
But the 6-foot-5, 225-pound prospect has been hearing from Wisconsin recently and plans to take an official visit to Madison. Should the Badgers extend some sort of the opportunity, Lloyd would give it serious consideration.
“I would consider it due to the fact it is much closer to home,” Lloyd told BadgerBlitz.com. “I'm big on family and it would be great to be closer to them and also play for my in-state team I've watched since I was a kid.
“But the coaches at NDSU have done such a great job making me feel welcome and feel like I belong as it is my home and the relationships I have with those coaches are amazing. But, yes, I would consider a PWO (preferred walk-on) from UW, for sure.”
The Badgers currently have commitments from two in-state walk-ons in the current class, wide receiver Jack Popp and fullback Aaron Maternowski. Stoughton wide receiver Adam Krumholz is also close to accepting a PWO from the Badgers.
Odds and Ends
*Wisconsin commit Kayden Lyles has yet to select a Madison-area high school for his upcoming move from Arizona to Wisconsin. In fact, things are still very much in the planning process, and the article that broke the news ran prematurely, according to the Lyles family.
When it does come time to look at high schools, “It will be Kayden’s decision all the way,” a member of the family told BadgerBlitz.com.
*The momentum in Chris James’ potential transfer to Wisconsin from Pittsburgh has lost some steam, though UW is still pursuing the former four-star running back.
“Things have slowed down a bit,” a source said. It’s not known at this point what is holding up the process, though credit transfer and admissions could certainly be a hurdle.
*Four-star defensive back Patrice Rene is down to three schools: Rutgers, Wisconsin and North Carolina. But the hire of Chris Ash to replace Kyle Flood, according to a source, is expected to keep Rene’s pledge to the Scarlet Knights solid.
*Three-star cornerback K.J. Sails wants to make his decision on Feb. 4. The Badgers don’t plan to wait that long and interest has steadily decreased in recent weeks, according to a source.
*Two-star cornerback Caesar Williams, who recently picked up an offer from UW, is waiting on some test scores to clear, according to a source. Once those are good to go, the staff will attempt to get him on campus for an official visit.
*In case you missed it, long-time Wisconsin target Lil’Jordan Humphrey trimmed his list to two schools: Texas and California.
*Wisconsin commits Dallas Jeanty, A.J. Jordan and Noah Burks play tonight (Sunday) in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl on Fox Sports 1 at 8:00 PM (CT).
Losing defensive coordinator Dave Aranda to LSU, which is offering a starting salary of $1.3 million per year, according to a report, is certainly a big blow for Wisconsin moving forward.
But on the recruiting front, the Badgers may come away unscathed. A number of defensive commits in the 2016 class, though intrigued by the idea of playing under Aranda, voiced their desire to remain with UW and head coach Paul Chryst.
“I'm all in,” said three-star linebacker commit Dallas Jeanty, who has already signed financial paperwork with UW and will enroll in classes this month. Jeanty is expected to work inside, with Noah Burks, Griffin Grady and Mason Stokke on the outside in this class.
“I feel like we'll still be fine, and he'll (Aranda) be successful at LSU,” said Burks, who turned heads at the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl practices this week. “I think he made the best decision for himself and his family, which I totally understand. But we'll still be using the same front on defense at Wisconsin and we'll still be successful no matter who the next defensive coordinator is.”
Grady, a three-star prospect from Ohio, echoed his future teammate.
“I'm still 100 percent committed to Wisconsin,” Griffin said. “It's sad that he (Aranda) left because he's a great coach, but I know we are keeping that 3-4 scheme, so I'm excited for what's to come. On Wisconsin!”
Maryland defensive backs Patrick Johnson and Eric Burrell both have a strong connection with position coach Daronte Jones and are solid in their commitments as well.
“I only met him once and I wish coach Aranda luck, except on Sept. 3, 2016,” Johnson said. “Him leaving has no bearing on my commitment to the great University of Wisconsin!”
Burrell received a late offer from the Terrapins but, according to a source, is sticking with his pledge to the Badgers.
The status of Luke Benzschawel, an in-state defensive end, was likely never in question. His older brother, Beau, helped Wisconsin capture a win in the Holiday Bowl against USC and his father also played for the Badgers.
“Nothing much to say, he (Aranda) was a big factor in the success of the defense this year,” Luke Benzschawel said. “But no matter who replaces him we have the players and the coaches to be successful in the B1G.”
Aranda was the lead contact for three-star defensive end Keldric Preston, though the Florida native is also solid.
“It hit me hard,” Preston said. “I didn't know what to think. But things happen. On Wisconsin."
Three-star cornerback Ke’Shan Pennamon kept it simple.
“On Wisconsin,” Pennamon responded when asked to comment on the coaching change.
All-in on Porter
After missing on top targets C.J. Freeman, Khaleke Hudson and George Hill all in the same week in mid-December, fans expected the next wave of running back offers to surface. But nothing happened.
Part of that had to do with it being a dead period, and the coaching staff was also prepping vigorously for USC. But a source indicated that Kyle Porter, fresh off a Texas state title, remains -– and has been since Antonio Williams’ decommitment -- the top option for position coach John Settle. And while many assumed the Badgers were on the outside looking in, the same source said the Badgers like their chances quite a bit with the four-star talent.
“We think he’s down to three schools, and Wisconsin is one of them,” the source said.
It’s difficult to say which schools round out Porter’s top three, should that indeed be the case, but Arkansas, Oregon, Texas, Stanford and Cal, among others, have all extended offers. And keep an eye on Northwestern, which currently has commitments from high school teammates Travis Whillock and Paddy Fischer.
The Badgers expect to get Porter on campus in late January, most likely the weekend of Jan. 29. He has yet to take any official visits and will play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 9. That would leave just three open weekends before Signing Day on Feb. 4 for official visits, though Porter could certainly take them mid-week if needed.
Not so fast
During Under Armour All-American Bowl preparation this week, word came out that four-star Minnesota commit Dredrick Snelson would take an official visit to Wisconsin at the end of this month. And while the staff is indeed recruiting the Florida standout, that trip is definitely not set in stone.
According to a source, there’s still some homework to be done on Snelson before he’s a serious option for the staff. A different source was more blunt.
“He's not a real option for anyone,” the source said. “He won't be a qualifier.
“I think Minnesota told him that or stopped talking to him because he won't be a qualifier, so now he or someone in his group is reaching out to all these schools, which is why so many schools are having their name attached to him.”
Maryland and UCF are also said to get officials this month.
Keep on eye on Hawaii defensive back
There’s some Wisconsin buzz around Hawaii cornerback Nick Nelson. The 6-foot, 200-pound sophomore started 13 games this fall but could be looking around with the coaching changes at that program.
Daronte’ Jones played at Morgan State with Melvin Coleman, who coached Nelson at Suitland High School in Maryland. That’s the connection – Jones was on staff at Hawaii – that led Nelson to the islands in 2014. The two spent one season together before Jones took his job at Wisconsin at the start of 2015.
The Badgers are in need of help at the position with just four scholarship corners expected to compete in spring camp. However, Nelson, if he does elect to transfer, would have to sit out a year at the school of his choice. Still, we’re told, the Badgers would love to add his talent and have another body in camp this off-season.
Badgers could flip scholarship commit with PWO offer
Gabe Lloyd, an 8-man football participant from Green Bay, committed to North Dakota State this summer.
But the 6-foot-5, 225-pound prospect has been hearing from Wisconsin recently and plans to take an official visit to Madison. Should the Badgers extend some sort of the opportunity, Lloyd would give it serious consideration.
“I would consider it due to the fact it is much closer to home,” Lloyd told BadgerBlitz.com. “I'm big on family and it would be great to be closer to them and also play for my in-state team I've watched since I was a kid.
“But the coaches at NDSU have done such a great job making me feel welcome and feel like I belong as it is my home and the relationships I have with those coaches are amazing. But, yes, I would consider a PWO (preferred walk-on) from UW, for sure.”
The Badgers currently have commitments from two in-state walk-ons in the current class, wide receiver Jack Popp and fullback Aaron Maternowski. Stoughton wide receiver Adam Krumholz is also close to accepting a PWO from the Badgers.
Odds and Ends
*Wisconsin commit Kayden Lyles has yet to select a Madison-area high school for his upcoming move from Arizona to Wisconsin. In fact, things are still very much in the planning process, and the article that broke the news ran prematurely, according to the Lyles family.
When it does come time to look at high schools, “It will be Kayden’s decision all the way,” a member of the family told BadgerBlitz.com.
*The momentum in Chris James’ potential transfer to Wisconsin from Pittsburgh has lost some steam, though UW is still pursuing the former four-star running back.
“Things have slowed down a bit,” a source said. It’s not known at this point what is holding up the process, though credit transfer and admissions could certainly be a hurdle.
*Four-star defensive back Patrice Rene is down to three schools: Rutgers, Wisconsin and North Carolina. But the hire of Chris Ash to replace Kyle Flood, according to a source, is expected to keep Rene’s pledge to the Scarlet Knights solid.
*Three-star cornerback K.J. Sails wants to make his decision on Feb. 4. The Badgers don’t plan to wait that long and interest has steadily decreased in recent weeks, according to a source.
*Two-star cornerback Caesar Williams, who recently picked up an offer from UW, is waiting on some test scores to clear, according to a source. Once those are good to go, the staff will attempt to get him on campus for an official visit.
*In case you missed it, long-time Wisconsin target Lil’Jordan Humphrey trimmed his list to two schools: Texas and California.
*Wisconsin commits Dallas Jeanty, A.J. Jordan and Noah Burks play tonight (Sunday) in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl on Fox Sports 1 at 8:00 PM (CT).
