National Signing Day 2016: OL Cole Van Lanen signs with Wisconsin

Class	Position	Height	Weight
2016	OL	6'1	283 lbs.
School		Composite Ranking
Bay Port (WI)		No. 14 OT (No. 139 overall prospect)

Cole Van Lanen will come into Wisconsin with a chance to compete for a position on the offensive line right away in 2016. Left tackle Tyler Marz is the lone departure from the 2015 offensive line, so there will be plenty of opportunity for players to slide into roles for next season. As the highest-rated offensive line recruit in the class, Van Lanen projects to be in that mix going forward. With four redshirt freshmen starting at season's end for the Badgers, Van Lanen will have plenty of competition to go against this season, and is certainly an exciting prospect for the future.

Welcome Cole Van Lanen (Green Bay, Wisconsin) to the #Badgers football family! #NSD2016 https://t.co/vGcDuMrhy0 pic.twitter.com/AGSJt01Dvc

— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) February 3, 2016

Highlights: New #Badgers OL Cole Van Lanen #NSD2016 https://t.co/sDQKdQvYAg

— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) February 3, 2016

Rankings

Rivals: Grade: 5.8; No. 17 OT; No. 2 prospect in Wisconsin

ESPN: Grade: 81; No. 264 in ESPN 300 No. 23 OT; No. 24 prospect in region; No. 2 prospect in Wisconsin

247: Grade: 95; No. 73 overall prospect in nation; No. 10 OT in nation; No. 2 prospect in Wisconsin

Scout: ; No. 70 overall prospect in nation; No. 5 OT in nation; No. 1 OT in Wisconsin

Verbally committed June 20, 2015

Having offers from Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State and Nebraska, the in-state lineman stayed within the walls of Wisconsin when committing to the Badgers. His verbal pledge followed Forest Lake, Minn., offensive lineman Patrick Kasl's commitment, giving UW their only two lineman on the offensive side of the ball for the class of 2016.

Highlights

Honors

U.S. Army All-American Bowl participant; two-time WFCA first-team all-state selection; WIAA Division I shot put and discus champion