National Signing Day 2014: Wisconsin Badgers Preview
UPDATE:Craig Evans has been removed due to the fact he and Wisconsin have parted because of academics.
With National Signing Day fast approaching, the Wisconsin Badgers are putting together one of the best classes in the program’s history. Here’s a look at how head coach Gary Andersen and company have gotten to this point thus far.
Who Is In:
The Badgers have four players they do not need to worry about who have already enrolled in Madison.
OT Jaden Gault (Madison, WI) 4*
QB D.J. Gillins (Jacksonville, FL) 4*
OG Michael Deiter (Genoa, OH) 3*
S Austin Hudson (Tampa, FL) 3*
Gault is the top recruit in the state of Wisconsin and the 13th best OT according to 247Sports. Gillins is a great get for the Badgers that should come in and add some competition to the shaky quarterback situation in Madison.
Commits:
Wisconsin has 22 players who have committed to the program, helping make this 2014 class 30th in the nation and fourth best in the Big Ten.
OT: Jacob Maxwell (Greendale, WI) 2* Micah Kapoi (Kapolei, HI) 2* Beau Benzschawel (Grafton, WI) 2*
OG: George Panos (Hartland, WI) 3*
RB: Taiwan Deal (Hyattsville, MD) 3* Caleb Kinlaw (Goose Creek, SC) 3*
WR: Dareian Watkins (Galion, OH) 4* Krenwick Sanders (Jesup, GA) 3* Chris Jones (Hyattsville, MD) 3* Natrell Jamerson (Ocala, FL) 3*
DE: Conor Sheehy (Milwaukee, WI) 3* Billy Hirschfeld (Hartland, WI) 3*
DT: Jeremy Patterson (Jesup, GA) 3*
DB: Cornelius Sturghill (Memphis, TN) 3* Derrick Tindal (Fort Lauderdale, FL) 3* Lubern Figaro (Everett, MA) 3*
LB: Dominic Cizauskas (Mukwonago, WI) 3*
APB: Serge Trezy (Eastern Arizona College) 3*
FB: Ula Tolutau (Salt Lake City, UT) 3*
ATH: TJ Edwards (Lake Villa, IL) 2*
K: Rafael Galliano (Chattanooga, TN) 3*
As usual Wisconsin has a strong corps of offensive lineman who have committed. The two running backs Deal and Kinlaw will add more talented to an already explosive backfield. The thing I’m excited about the most are the receivers. Generally speaking Wisconsin has not recruited well in that area. That changes this year as all four commits will make an impact and it could come as soon as they step on campus.
Top Targets:
WR George Rushing– The three-star from Fort Lauderdale, FL would be a big National Signing Day get for the Badgers. Yes they already have four receivers committed, but with how thin the position currently is, the more the merrier. Rushing could join a great batch of receivers in Madison.
CB Chris Lammons– Another Fort Lauderdale product, Lammons would provide some much-needed help in the secondary. We all saw how poorly the Badgers did against the pass last season, being burned numerous times. Lammons would also be joining former Plantation teammate Sojourn Shelton and would be a dynamic duo in the secondary.
OT Kaleb McGary– Why wouldn’t Wisconsin have another four-star offensive lineman on their radar? McGary recently named the Badgers as one of his three finalists along with his two in-state schools, Washington and Washington State. Nabbing McGary would give the Badgers just one more option to bolster their already strong line crew. Honestly what running back wouldn’t want to run behind these guys?
S D’Cota Dixon– Shocker, it’s another Florida player. The three-star safety would also be another piece to plug into what is now a suspect secondary. On his official visit on January 17, there were rumblings that he had given his verbal. That was not the case as he stated that National Signing Day is when he will make his decision. Gary Andersen and company will be monitoring this one closely.
Class Overview:
For Wisconsin this is shaping up to be the best class the program has ever seen. Not too bad for Gary Andersen’s first crack at it in the Big Ten. Per usual the Badgers will have another top-end offensive line class. I’m intrigued as to what quarterback D.J. Gillins will be able to do once practice begins.
Although they don’t need much help in the running back area, Taiwan Deal and Caleb Kinlaw will be nice additions for the future. A big question on the offensive side of the ball is definitely at the receiver position and they are addressing it. If they are able to add George Rushing along with the other four that have committed, it will be huge for the Badgers passing attack going forward.
On defense the main area of need was the secondary. Getting a verbal from Cornelius Sturghill and flipping Derrick Tindal from the Indiana Hoosiers was big in addressing that need. D’Cota Dixon and Chris Lammons would also give the Badgers a huge boost in that area as well.