Wisconsin Football: 3 Takeaways from National Signing Day
Wednesday marked the start of the early National Signing Day period. So we’ll offer three takeaways from the Wisconsin football signing class
Wisconsin football signed 26 players during the new window for recruiting. In this brief time period, recruits can sign their National Letter of Intent already.
Badger fans are well accustomed to other big name programs getting headlines. Meanwhile, the lower rated Wisconsin football classes mature and win the Big Ten West.
The 2018 season could be another good one for Badger fans given the returning talent, especially on offense.
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If offensive linemen Michael Deiter and Beau Benzschawel return, tight end Troy Fumagalli and fullback Austin Ramesh will be the only starter Wisconsin loses. And frankly, Wisconsin has the depth along the OL to keep that unit strong even with an early departure or two.
Meanwhile, the defense could see more attrition with at least three defensive lineman, two defensive backs, and two outside linebackers departing. And that doesn’t factor in early entrants TJ Edwards or Nick Nelson.
So here are three quick takeaways on the 26-man class:
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1. This group has a heavy midwestern flavor
Of the 26-member class, just five guys are from outside the midwest. There is one name from California, Georgia, New York, and a pair from Texas. Of the 26 new Badgers, 10 come from Wisconsin. Interestingly, Wisconsin didn’t sign anybody from Minnesota in this bunch. Of course, that’s pretty consistent with the Wisconsin roster composition. Hopefully the bowl trip to Florida helps the Badgers further develop networks in the talent rich sunshine state.
2. Don’t forget about the walk-ons
Wisconsin has a pretty well documented history of rewarding walk-on players. Guys who much like Drake, start from the bottom and then go on to Badger glory. Of the 26-man class announced on Wednesday, seven of the guys are walk-ons. Among that bunch, six are from Wisconsin and one from Illinois. So the Badgers think local when it comes to the walk-ons. Based on height and weight, a couple guys will almost certainly need a redshirt year to lift weights.
One name I’m going to watch is TE Jack Eschenbach from Downers Grove, Illinois. He is 6-feet-6-inches but just 210 pounds. So he may be a redshirt candidate to add weight. But with Fumagalli leaving and Wisconsin using three TE sets so often, he is definitely a name to know. Especially at the size he could make a nice red zone target some day.
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3. There are a few names to know who may contribute as freshman in 2018
So as noted above, there may not be that many snaps available for freshman to contribute on the offensive side of the ball. Unless of course, there are a rash of injuries that nobody wants to see. So I’d look at the defense to see some youngsters get early action for the Badgers.
Safety Reggie Pearson could get an early opportunity with Natrell Jamerson opening a spot at S. The same is true for DE Isaiah Mullens, a consensus 3-star recruit. At 6-feet-6-inches and 280 pounds he physically should be ready for Big Ten football. Wisconsin will lose Connor Sheehy, Alec James, and Chikwe Obasih. So there are snaps to be had along the defensive line.
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Elsewhere, the Badgers have a trio of cornerbacks coming in all standing at least 6-feet tall. The problem, is that none of them are over 180 pounds. Of course, it’s December, so plenty of time for them to add a little muscle to be able to better match up with Big Ten receivers.