Wisconsin football recruiting: LB Ty DeForest enrolls early at Wisconsin

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Walk-ons have been a vital part of the Wisconsin Badgers football program, especially since Barry Alvarez came to Madison. Last year's team saw large contributions from linebackers Marcus Trotter and Joe Schobert, wide receiver Alex Erickson, and quarterback Joel Stave.

Marshall's Ty DeForest accepted a preferred walk-on spot, as he joins walk-on commitments from Steven Point's Andrew Ruzek, Oak Creek's Elijah Strong and Waunakee's Troy Laufenberg in this class of 2015.

Rankings

Rivals: NR

Scout: NR

ESPN: NR

247: NR

Being the third walk-on to commit to Wisconsin, he gave his pledge with no head coach guiding the Wisconsin program. Ben Strickland's credited with DeForest's commitment.

Here's what our Andrew Rosin initially said upon DeForest's verbal commitment:

"DeForest, listed at 6'1 and 205 pounds, claimed offers from Illinois State, Southern Illinois and Western Illinois, and has a reported 40-yard dash time at 4.60 seconds. His Hudl profile shows a smart player who rarely takes a false step and can take great angles in pursuit to get to a ball carrier with a potential to explode violently into a ball carrier."

Accomplishments

Two-time WFCA and Associated Press all-state selection at linebacker

Three-time Capitol South Conference Defensive Player of the Year

First-team all-conference at linebacker, running back, punter and specialist position during career, with eight first-team nods in all