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DL Joe Keels to become Wisconsin's 15th commitment in 2014

The Badgers shore up their defensive line with a talent that was gaining major notice in recent weeks.

Graphic: Phil Mitten

Wisconsin has added to its 2014 class, and the Badgers have got a good one.

Former Kenosha Bradford (Wis.) and Highland (Kan.) Community College four-star defensive end Joe Keels tweeted that he talked with head coach Gary Andersen and the Badgers' acceptance of his commitment will soon be a formality. The 6-foot-4, 275-pound Keels is also the cousin of current Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon.

Safeties coach Bill Busch was the primary recruiter on Keels, with an assist from defensive line coach Chad Kauha'aha'a. Keels had offers from at least a dozen other schools, including Alabama, Iowa State, Maryland, Nebraska and USC. Alabama and Nebraska especially made a late push with recent offers.

For the Badgers, this is a move that definitely makes sense. Keels was among the junior college sack leaders in 2012, and when you consider that there will be four seniors coming off the two-deep going into 2014, Keels is definitely someone who could well take a starting spot and make an impact from day one. Keels joins Billy Hirschfeld and Connor Sheehy as potential replacements on the defensive line.