National Signing Day 2017: Four-star WR Danny Davis signs with Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Badgers received a welcomed surprise on Wednesday as Danny Davis, the highly sought-after wide receiver from Springfield, Ohio, announced he would sign a National Letter of Intent to play for UW.

A four-star wide receiver across scouting services, the 6’3, 190-pound Davis is an explosive athlete who holds more than 10 scholarship offers from schools across the country. With his National Signing Day announcement, Wisconsin edged out Kentucky and West Virginia, in addition to offers from Michigan State, Oregon, Nebraska, Penn State and others.

“We really spent January, most of our time, on Danny,” Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst said in a statement released Wednesday afternoon. “It was exciting to get the news that he chose Wisconsin, and we’re excited about him. He’s got a ton of athletic ability that gets us excited, but also getting to know Danny and his mom and dad and family, you feel good about that. He was on an official visit and our guys really felt comfortable and Danny felt comfortable. I have no hesitation when I say I think he’ll fit in great on this team. He’s a really talented player."

Rankings

247Sports (composite): Four stars; Grade: 0.9121; No. 219 overall; No. 31 WR; No. 8 Ohio

247Sports: Four stars; Grade: 90; No. 298 overall; No. 38 WR; No. 14 Ohio

ESPN: Four stars; Grade: 80; No. 66 WR; No. 39 Midwest Regional; No. 15 Ohio

Rivals: Four stars; Grade: 5.9; No. 13 WR; No. 98 overall; No. 3 Ohio

Scout: Four stars; No. 56 WR; No. 8 Midwest WR; No. 2 Ohio WR

So what is Wisconsin getting in Davis? An explosive playmaker who rushed for 1,195 yards (7.0 per carry) and seven touchdowns and hauled in 559 receiving yards (25.4 per reception) and six touchdowns through the air. As a result, Davis was recognized as a second-team All-Ohio Selection by the Associated Press.

Skeptics might wonder how Wisconsin was able to pull in one of the top prospects out of Ohio. In part, it had to do with Ohio State viewing him as a defensive back.

Davis becomes the highest-rated wide receiver to commit to Wisconsin in eight years. He was recruited by both Joe Rudolph and Ted Gilmore.