Wisconsin football recruiting: Badgers offer 2017 RB Kennedy Brooks

There was a question as to who the Badgers were going to land as a second running back for 2017. Was it going Atlanta, Ga. three-star prospect Deon Jackson? Were the Badgers planning on teaming Virginia transfer Tre Harbison with Pittsburgh transfer Chris James? On Monday, the Badgers decided to start after a third option as they offered Mansfield, Tex., running back Kennedy Brooks. The news was first reported by Gerry Hamilton of ESPN and later by Scout.com's Greg Powers, 247Sports' Ryan Bartow and Rivals' Matt Clare.

Brooks is rated a four-star recruit by 247Sports composite rankings and Scout.com, while a three-star prospect by Rivals and 247Sports.

On stat sheet and star pedigree alone, Brooks is supremely interesting. He rushed for 3522 yards and 42 touchdowns as a junior, which even a layperson would agree is two good seasons in one. The Hudl profile shows a back with a smooth, pick and slide running style. He lets his blocks develop, and when a hole opens, he has the acceleration to take advantage. For a back listed at 6'0 and 197 pounds, he's definitely strong to break poorly-formed high school arm tackles and is good at avoiding clean shots.

Brooks received offers already from Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, and Tennessee among others. But the offer sheet isn't as much of a preclusion as it might be on first blush. Michigan and Oklahoma already grabbed star backs. Tennessee and Texas A&M both have running backs available in their interests as well. The Badgers could definitely get in the mix here.