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The 2015 class of Wisconsin football continues to stay intact.
Early Wednesday evening on WSSP 105.7 FM's The Wendy's Big Show in Milwaukee, 2015 quarterback recruit Austin Kafentzis reaffirmed his verbal commitment to Wisconsin.
Speaking with hosts Steve Fifer and Gary Ellerson, Kafentzis stated via phone he is "100 percent" committed to the Badgers and will enroll early next month to start his Wisconsin career.
The news of former head coach Gary Andersen leaving for Oregon State was shocking for many almost two weeks ago. Before ultimately deciding to stick with his initial commitment from back in June of 2013, rather than flipping to the Andersen-led Beavers and other programs, he needed to talk with new Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst. However, Chryst couldn't talk with Kafentzis and the other recruits until after his hiring last Wednesday.
Their first conversation together was a 20-minute phone call on Saturday, but was brief due to Kafentzis being on vacation in New York. On Monday, they had a more in-depth conversation that eventually kept Kafentzis a Wisconsin commit.
"I gotta be selfish, and I gotta find out what's best for me," Kafentzis said, "and I truly believe that being a Badger is what's best for me right, and that's that, I guess."
Kafentzis noted he didn't want Chryst to feel like he 'inherited" a commit but needed reassurance he was wanted at Wisconsin. The 6'0, 205-pound quarterback wanted to continue to play the position he's set many Utah state prep records at, and he feels like he can work in any offense -- spread or pro-style. He also studied highlights of former Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson during the 2011 season to see Chryst's offense in motion. Kafentzis plans to be in Madison on Jan. 12 to begin spring conditioning and his first semester at Wisconsin.
"I'm just going work my tail off, study the playbook," Kafentzis said. "Do whatever I need to do, go in there with the work ethic, show up on campus and get to know coaches more, and just listen to everything they have to say."
Kafentzis, ranked a four-star recruit by ESPN and three-star recruit by Rivals, Scout.com and 247 Sports, finished up a legendary prep career in Utah. In his senior season alone, he threw for 3,862 yards and 40 touchdown passes while also rushing for 1,842 yards for another 25 scores.
He owns or is tied for 13 state records, including total passing yards (13,079), total career touchdown passes (115), career rushing yards (6,942) and career rushing touchdowns (103).
Despite the sudden coaching change in early December, Chryst and the Wisconsin assistants have not had a commit flip to another program yet. Though that may change in the coming month, the Badgers have plenty to be merry about heading into the holiday.