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National Signing Day 2017: WR Deron Harrell joins Wisconsin as grayshirt

A grayshirt from Wisconsin's class of 2016 joins the offense.

Student Sports

Ed. note: Deron Harrell grayshirted last year, making him part of Wisconsin's class of 2017. He's already been announced among the Badgers' early enrollees as a wide receiver; you can find his UWBadgers.com bio here. Below is our original profile on him from National Signing Day 2016.

In one of the more low key commitments of this class, Deron Harrell could end up being a diamond in the rough prospect. Highly under-recruited from Denver, Harrell played quarterback and cornerback in 2015, but played wide receiver and corner in 2014. The long rangy athlete is expected to play wide receiver or corner for Wisconsin. With his 6'3, expect Harrell to fill out a bit and end up around 195 pounds.

Rankings

Rivals: 3-star recruit3-star recruit

ESPN: 3-star recruit3-star recruit3-star recruit; Grade: 73; No. 96 ATH; No. 205 Regional; No. 5 Colorado

247: 3-star recruit3-star recruit; Grade: 79; No. 138 ATH; No. 10 Colorado

Scout: 3-star recruit3-star recruit

Verbally committed Jan. 26, 2016

Harrell accepted a grayshirt offer from Wisconsin, as the Badgers must have seen something in Harrell that compelled them to offer a future scholarship to a player with no offers. Air Force, Colorado, Colorado State, Hawai'i, San Diego State, Utah State and Wyoming all displayed interest in Harrell, but ultimately none of them pulled the trigger on an offer.

Harrell's commitment all but sealed the class for Wisconsin, as Harrell was the Badgers' 26th commitment for this class. These types of commitments are basically extended redshirts for teams, and give prospects like Harrell an extra year to prepare physically. Though Paul Chryst did say in his press conference there is a possibility that Harrell could join the team in the summer. Either way, this could be a major steal for Wisconsin in a few years.

Video highlights

Statistics

Senior Year: 1347 yards passing, 17 touchdowns, 65% completion
Defense: team leading 3 interceptions

Bio (courtesy UWBadgers.com)

High School: Three-star prospect by ESPN ... Denver Prep League Offensive MVP and first-team all-conference pick as a senior, completing 61.5 percent of his passes for 1,347 yards and 17 touchdowns along with 330 rushing yards ... also first-team all-conference at defensive back, logging four interceptions ... second-team all-conference at defensive back as a junior, recording three INTs ... first-team all-conference at QB as a sophomore, throwing for 1,621 yards and 17 touchdowns ... two-year team captain ... three-time team MVP ... also a four-year starter in basketball ... second-team all-state selection and first-team All-Denver Prep League as a sophomore, helping East win Class 5A state championship ... high school coach was Spencer Colter

Personal: Parents are Damian Harrell and Lani Harrell ... father played football at Florida State and is a member of Arena Football League Hall of Fame, standing as league's career record-holder in receptions (1,164), receiving yards (15,134), and touchdown receptions (357) ... father was two-time Arena League Offensive MVP (2005, 2006) and was named one of 10 best players in league history in 2012