Yesterday was a big day for news involving Wisconsin's receiving corps.
First, Tom Mulhern reported Bret Bielema is targeting Western Kentucky offensive coordinator Zach Azzanni as a replacement for departed wide receivers coach DelVaughn Alexander. Azzanni has ties to Urban Meyer and Florida and is known to be a strong recruiter in that area. The Badgers currently have 14 players from Florida listed on their roster -- including Aaron Henry, Antonio Fenelus, James White and David Gilbert -- so Azzanni seems like a good fit to help keep that recruiting pipeline open.
If Azzanni has any hesitations about joining Bielema's staff, another story that broke yesterday may encourage him to do so. The Chicago Tribune's Brian Hamilton reported former 5-star recruit Kyle Prater, who announced his intentions to transfer from USC Monday, will end up at either Wisconsin or Northwestern. Prater, whom Rivals.com listed as the No. 3 player in the class of 2010, won't be eligible to play until the 2013 season and dealt with numerous injuries during his time at USC. But if he does choose Wisconsin and is able to stay healthy, can you imagine a 2013 receiving corps consisting of Prater and 2013 seniors Jared Abbrederis and Jacob Pedersen? If you're Azzanni (or any other candidate, for that matter), how could you say no to that?
On a heavier note, Sports Illustrated's Tony Pauline reports Nick Toon's foot problems are acting up again, though Toon's dad says it's not serious. He will have only a few weeks to get healthy if he intends to play in the Senior Bowl at the end of the month. It's got to be frustrating for Toon, who was riding a strong Rose Bowl performance into the offseason and pre-draft workouts.
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Also from the "incredibly frustrating" department: Wisconsin sports fans will have to choose between the Badgers and the Packers this Sunday.
Please read Peter Konz's letter to fans explaining his decision to forgo his final year of eligibility to enter the NFL draft. It's quite thoughtful and his character really comes through.
The Badgers picked up a couple of preferred walk-on commitments. Here and here.
Wisconsin finished No. 10 in the final AP poll and No. 11 in the final USA Today poll.
Brett McMurphy ranked the Badgers No. 22 in his too-early preseason poll. Mark Schlabach has them at No. 19. (via Dave Heller)
The Badgers are behind Michigan and Michigan State in Adam Rittenberg and Brian Bennett's initial 2012 power rankings.