clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Wisconsin football recruiting: WR Kendric Pryor commits to Badgers

The Badgers land their second wide receiver for the class of 2016.

By Mike Fiammetta Updated
USA TODAY Sports

Homewood-Flossmoor (Ill.) wide receiver Kendric Pryor committed to Wisconsin on Wednesday, giving the Badgers their second commit at the position for 2016.

Pryor, a 6'1, 175-pound receiver, also held offers and heavy interest from Iowa, UConn and Iowa State, among others. Wisconsin offered Pryor on May 29, and he visited Madison on June 14. In an interview with Scout last month, he discussed his recruitment, specifically the interest from Iowa and Wisconsin.

"I like them because when I look for a school, I look for my freshman year -- will I have the opportunity to play?" he said. "How the coaches run the program, and then I like the football facilities that they have."

Pryor also plays cornerback and returned kickoffs for Homewood-Flossmoor, on top of his receiving duties. He caught 32 passes for 704 yards and six touchdowns last season. In an interview with the Chicago Tribune last month, Pryor said Iowa and Wisconsin were interested in him as a cornerback, although Wisconsin was beginning to express interest at wide receiver as well. Homewood-Flossmoor head coach Craig Bueza said he expected Pryor to see a bigger role this upcoming season.

"Kendric is a pure athlete who can really do anything that you want him to do at any point," Bueza said. "He's one of those guys we have to find a way to get the ball into his hands. I think he has significantly improved from last season. His route-running is a lot better, and I think he has really dedicated himself to football this summer.

"Kendric likes being on the big stage. Those big games, like Bolingbrook, Lincoln-Way East and the title game, he thrives in those games. If he doesn't start at cornerback this season, he will still be playing a lot of corner and at safety and maybe three or four spots on offense. Guys like him don't come around very often, so you want to get as much out of them as you can."

Pryor is rated a three-star recruit by 247Sports and Rivals, and a two-star recruit by Scout. Pryor's rankings from those three sites are as follows:

  • 247Sports (composite): No. 1,515 overall; No. 219 wide receiver; No. 40 Illinois
  • 247Sports: No. 1,047 overall; No. 157 wide receiver; No. 29 Illinois
  • Rivals: No. 19 Ilinois
  • Scout: N/A

Pryor is Wisconsin's 18th commitment for 2016, most recently following long snapper Jake Cesear and wide receiver/athlete A.J. Taylor, who both committed in August.

The Badgers took just one wide receiver commit in 2015: Andrew James from Cardinal Gibbons (Fla.). Henry Houden also walked on to the program.

Wisconsin will lose four receivers to graduation after this season: Alex Erickson, Tanner McEvoy, Jordan Fredrick and A.J. Jordan.

More From Bucky's 5th Quarter