:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/2490097/129275750.0.jpg)
Let's hit the ground running with the big news of the day as four-star 2013 running back Corey Clement from Glassboro, N.J., committed to Wisconsin this morning to start his 18th birthday off right. With his blend of speed and power, Clement is ranked as a Top 15 back in the country and continues to break prep rushing records in the Jersey area. Clement's verbal is especially important in light of the recent Florida State offer to Miami-area QB/athlete John Franklin, which seems to have swayed another major RB recruiting target -- Franklin's 5-star teammate Alex Collins -- in favor of the Seminoles.
Announcement on Twitter | Clement Highlights
Since we last spoke, the Badgers have continued to rise up the recruitment board rankings, currently sitting at No. 32 after the addition of Clement, according to 247sports.com, which is 10 spots better than where they sat to start the recruiting year.
Right now, one of the top two players that Wisconsin is scouting is all-purpose back David Williams, a four-star recruit from Philadelphia, PA. Williams has run for over 2,800 yards and 38 TDs in his sophomore and junior year. It is clear why running backs coach Thomas Hammock wanted to add him to the Badgers' backfield going forward.
The other player on top of Wisconsin’s scouting wish list is three-star safety prospect Marcus Ball, who has ties to the school, with older brother Ray being a redshirt freshman offensive lineman at UW. When asked why he was so high on heading to Madison next year, Ball said, "It’s more so (that) I’ve been up there plenty of times, know the coaches real well, have kind of a real special bond that’s hard to get, that’s hard to come by with them." Ball is scheduled to visit November 17th for the home game against Ohio State. However, he is receiving a lot of attention from Tennessee and attended the Vols' game against Alabama last weekend.
Looking further ahead in the future, Wisconsin assistant coach Charlie Partridge made his way to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to take a look at highly touted running back Jordan Scarlett. While Scarlett is only a sophomore, it’s clear that the Badgers coaching staff know that if they want to get Scarlett to Madison, they’re going to have to strike early and often, and it appears that’s just what they plan on doing. The gap is already being bridged with offers to teammate Skai Moore (LB) and school alumni Devin Gaulden (CB).
Also coming to Madison in 2013
Matt Hubley (S) of Waukesha Catholic Memorial made a verbal commitment on October 23rd, as the two-star recruit chose Wisconsin over Boise State, Central Michigan and Colorado State. Hubley is the seventh in-state player that the Badgers have received a commitment from this year, joining defensive end Chikwe Obasih, athlete Austin Ramesh, defensive end Alec James, athlete T.J. Watt, offensive tackle Hayden Biegel and athlete Jazz Peavy.