National Signing Day 2017: OL Alex Fenton signs with Wisconsin

The third Wisconsin Badgers recruit to commit in the class of 2017, offensive guard Alex Fenton brings loads of potential to Madison. The Menomonie, Wis., native played tight end as a junior, a testament to his athletic ability. He also has the height (6’5) to be a bruising interior lineman for the Badgers in the future.

There is a good chance Fenton redshirts his first year on campus, as the Badgers return almost their entire offensive line. Fenton is one of four offensive linemen in the 2017 class, along with Kayden Lyles, Logan Bruss and Tyler Beach. This class looks to be a great one in terms of offensive line talent, something Badgers fans have become accustomed to seeing in recent years.

Rankings

247Sports (composite): Three stars; Grade: 0.8335; No. 1255 overall; No. 58 TE; No. 7 Wis.

247Sports: Three stars; Grade 83; No. 1,239 player in nation; No. 57 tight end in nation; No. 7 player in Wisconsin

ESPN: Three stars; Grade 74; No. 79 guard in nation; No. 126 regional; No. 7 player in Wisconsin

Rivals: Two stars; No. 9 player in Wisconsin

Scout: Three star; No. 56 guard in nation; No. 14 guard in Midwest region; No. 3 guard in Wisconsin

Verbally committed on Feb. 22, 2016

Fenton was recruited heavily by Jim Harbaugh and Michigan, a good sign for the offensive guard’s future upside. But Harbaugh has become fond of Wisconsin offensive line recruits since taking the job at Michigan two years ago. B5Q’s Andrew Rosin wrote of Harbaugh’s recent recruiting tendencies back in February when Fenton committed:

“After Michigan landed Ben Bredeson last season, Jim Harbaugh's staff threw out three offers to in-state offensive linemen this year. And while the recruitments for Logan Bruss and Tyler Beach are yet to be settled, the Badgers were able to fend off the Wolverines for Menomonie's Alex Fenton”

Chryst ended up 3-0 against Harbaugh for three in-state offensive linemen in the class of 2017, securing commitments from Bruss and Beach last spring. Fenton is a big get for Chryst and he will look to provide depth to Wisconsin’s offensive line his first few years on campus.

Video highlights

Honors

2016 All-USA First-Team Wisconsin

2016 WFCA First-Team All-State

Bio (courtesy of UWBadgers.com)

High School: Three-star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN and Scout … first-team all-state by Associated Press and Wisconsin Football Coaches Association … finalist for Joe Thomas Award presented to state’s top senior offensive lineman … first-team All-Big Rivers Conference as a senior … part of offensive line that allowed just 1 sack on 265 pass plays during senior season … moved to offensive line full time as a senior after playing defensive tackle and tight end as a junior … honorable mention all-conference as a junior … named team’s Most Valuable Underclassman as a junior … also lettered in hockey and track … coach was Joe La Buda