Wisconsin Football: 2018 commit Reggie Pearson has big plans for Badgers

Three-star commit Reggie Pearson spoke with Badger of Honor about his excitement to join the Wisconsin Badgers.

Almost one year ago, the Wisconsin Badgers football program landed their first 2018 commit, Reggie Pearson, a three-star safety out of River Rouge high school in River Rouge, Michigan. Offered by many other schools, including the likes of various MAC programs- along with Syracuse, Vanderbilt, and Arkansas to name a few, Pearson verbally committed in August 2016 before reassuring his commitment after he spent four days in Madison around the Spring Game weekend in April 2017.

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Without having stepped on to the field as a member of the Badgers, Pearson has already shown his dedication and loyalty to the program. The 5-foot-10 (although he will say 5’11”) defensive back from Inskter, Michigan is already eager to work with current safety D’Cota Dixon and even posted to his Instagram working out with former Nebraska great and current Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah.

Growing up just outside of Detroit and with various Michigan roots, Pearson grew up a fan of all things Michigan State Spartans, but as he matured and started becoming more a part of the game, he started falling in love with what the Wisconsin Badgers have to offer.

“As I got older and the recruiting process started, I became more in love with what Wisconsin does,” Pearson told Badger of Honor.

Pearson made an immediate impact his freshman year of high school at River Rouge, earning All-State Honorable Mention and First Team All-Conference. He finished the year 58 tackles, four interceptions, and three touchdowns.

As a person who loves all sports, his athletic ability really helps him propel on defensive- being strong enough to go in the trenches and make tackles, yet quick enough to ball hawk and lock down an offensive threat.

“I play almost any sport…I’m pretty good at all of them,” Pearson said when asked what other interests he had other than football.

During his experiences with the Wisconsin recruiting process, it did not take long to mentally commit to Wisconsin and the city of Madison. While in the city for the Spring Game, him and his dad were able to really drive around and take everything in- making it much easier on his decision.

"“I love everything about Madison. I love that it’s not too far from home and I have a lot of relatives that live in Madison. The atmosphere and scenery in Madison is equal to Michigan, they have great summers and very cold winters. The people in Madison are very nice, and I just love that good old fashion Midwest feeling.”"

One of the most interesting parts of Pearson’s personality is his activeness and outspoken mindset, especially with those he cares about. Often times shouting out his fellow River Rouge teammates or friends he has around the area, Pearson has also taken in interest in helping out the Badgers bring in some more dynamic talents.

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Whoever the recruit may be, if he has Wisconsin on his radar, Pearson is usually there ready to let them know why Wisconsin is the best, and most obvious choice. And although, he won’t say he is the reason for it, he has a pretty good success rate when it comes to final commitment.

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“I have been sort of a recruiter all my life,” Pearson explained. “I feel if I’m trying to win then I need to surround myself with the guys that are proven winners. So I don’t mind reaching out to other athletes to sway them to come to Wisconsin because eventually we will all be on the same field together.”

When asked if he was the reason for the multiple commitments coming Wisconsin’s way after he reached out, Pearson remained humble about it.

“I wouldn’t say that it’s working, because Wisconsin’s coaching staff does such a great job at recruiting, I’m just there for support.”

For the Badgers, the total number of commitments received from the class of 2018 is now up to 15, with five coming from Wisconsin and also five now from the state of Michigan. Because of this, Pearson (and the other recruits from Michigan) are now dubbing themselves the new “Fab Five,” which is also included into his recruiting pitch when talking to fellow prospects.

“The Fab Five was created by all five of us,” Pearson said when asked who was behind the nickname. “No real big reason behind it, we just thought it was funny because we are all from Michigan and it was five of us. But we are fabulous.”

Pearson plans to graduate early and get to UW-Madison next Spring, as he is eager to get on campus and get started towards his ultimate goals of becoming division, conference, and national champions. A person who likes to joke and have fun, he also means business on the football field and will bring an intense mindset to the program.

“I just want to come and help contribute to win a Big Ten West ,  Big Ten championship, and a national championship,” Pearson talked about what he is looking forward to most in Madison.

“But personally, just walking through that tunnel and have 85,000 screaming fans cheering for us gives me goosebumps. But most of all developing a relationship with my fellow Badger brothers and learning from the fabulous coaches at Wisconsin.”

Not only does he wish to come to Wisconsin and bring championships to the fans and program, but doing well in school is something he has always prided himself upon. Continuing his education at the prestigious UW-Madison all falls into part of the plan. As someone who has his GPA posted on his Twitter bio, a perfect 4.0, Pearson wants to make sure those who look up to him know that education is just as important, if not more, than the athletics everyone is striving to be great at.

“As a freshman don’t get behind on your grades because it is so hard to catch back up in your senior year. I have seen it happen to some of the best athletes in the country,” Pearson said.

“The main thing I want to say, in the words of Kendrick Lamar, ‘Sit down, be humble.'”

Pearson will be entering his senior year at River Rouge this upcoming school year and will look to pile on to his current accolades and accomplishments and improve his game before heading to Madison.

With another year left to play in high school, and eventually coming across two years since his initial commitment before he actually makes the move, it can always be worrisome with recruits and their ability to change their minds and switch gears.

Not Pearson. He wants Badgers fans to know he is not going anywhere and you can count on him.

“The one thing that  fans should know about me is that I am 100 percent loyal. I’m going to come out and work hard and compete every day to bring home championship football and help build a national powerhouse.”

Pearson racked up many awards and honors in his junior year at River Rouge in 2016, and plans to build upon that in 2017. He finished with 120 tackles, seven interceptions and was First Team All-State and the only junior to be listed on the 2016 Dream Team.

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He is motivated by the late Sean Taylor and often plays through the mindset on the field that he is playing as him.

There is still another year until Pearson is in Madison and more than that until he is on the field making hits and returning interceptions for touchdowns, but wants to make sure Wisconsin fans know he is going to make the most of his time as a Badger in both education and football.

“I want to leave Wisconsin with my degree in mechanical engineering, hopefully with hard work a four-year starter, four Big Ten championships, four national championships, a wealth of knowledge from Coach Leonhard, and better than I was when I arrived mentally, spirituality, emotionally, and physically . All the glory to God.”

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You can find all of Pearson’s highlights here.