Wisconsin football recruiting: Badgers offer CB Tanner Ingle, other Southeast prospects

Plenty of offers have been announced recently by high school recruits this week, with the Wisconsin Badgers continuing to look to add pieces to the puzzle for their class of 2018.

With ten prep standouts already verbally pledging for this next recruiting cycle, there are limited spots available for some key positions still needed. Most notably, there is not a recruit noted for such skill positions such as wide receiver and cornerback.

Wisconsin’s assistant coaches have apparently been even busy this week, as multiple players—including a couple already verbally committed to other FBS, Power Five programs—have tweeted that the Badgers have offered them.

CB Tanner Ingle

The Orlando (Dr. Phillips) native performed well at the Opening Regional in Orlando. At 5’9, 180 pounds, Ingle ran a 4.5-second 40-yard dash with a 4.15-second shuttle run. He also registered a 35” vertical jump for a rating of 105.06.

His speed and break on the ball is evident in his Hudl film, as he showed he can pursue and is willing to get physical in making tackles. His play-making ability is evident as both a kickoff or punt returner.

Rated a three-star recruit by 247, Rivals and Scout, Ingle holds offers from a plethora of Power Five programs like Boston College, Maryland, Mississippi State, N.C. State, North Carolina, Rutgers and Virginia Tech, among others. He’s listed as a cornerback by three of the recruiting services and as an athlete by Rivals.

He announced the offer on Wednesday (h/t Jon McNamara).

WR Marvin Alexander, Jr.

Committed to Kentucky since February, Alexander, Jr. announced the offer on Tuesday. Rated a three-star recruit by 247Sports, ESPN, Rivals and Scout, the Hollywood, Fla. (Chaminade Madonna Prep) standout is listed between 6’1 and 6’3 according to the various recruiting services.

His Hudl film shows a player who can adjust when the ball is in the air to make the catch, and has shown the willingness to block—something Wisconsin wide receivers all need to do.

Alexander, Jr. noted he is “all in” for the Wildcats, according to Scout.com’s Corey Bender, though current Wisconsin freshman cornerback Faion Hicks is a former teammate of his. It does appear he is excited about his first Big Ten offer, when speaking with BadgerBlitz.com’s Jon McNamara ($).

WR/TE Chigoziem Okonkwo

At 6’2.5 and 224 pounds at an Opening Regional event in New Jersey, the Powder Springs, Ga. (Hillgrove) native is a big target who lists himself at wide receiver and tight end on his Hudl profile.

He is listed as a three-star recruit per 247Sports and Rivals, but is listed as one of the few players nationally to make the 2017 Opening Finals in Beaverton, Ore. after recording a 4.74 second 40-yard dash and 34.3” vertical jump in late April.

According to Scout, Okonkwo holds offers from Georgia Tech, Maryland, Navy and Purdue, among others.

Read Rivals’ break down with their “Instant Reaction” ($) on the offer, along with Okonkwo’s reaction to the offer and where UW feels he can play from Scout.com’s Sally Ehrmann ($). According to Badger247 ($), he’s “really high” on UW.

WR Tavares Kelly, Jr.

A Virginia commit since April, Kelly, Jr. is listed at 5’7, 150 pounds from the Opening Regional in Miami and rated a three-star recruit by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN (two-star by Scout). He announced the offer on Wednesday.

According to Scout, Kelly holds offers from the Cavaliers and fellow Big Ten programs Rutgers and Illinois. He is listed as a wide receiver by both Rivals and Scout, a returner by 247 and an athlete by ESPN.

The differences in position listings could be due to his versatility, as seen in his Hudl film. Like others offered in this class, he is dangerous as a special teams returner, and showed he could make plays in the passing game and on the ground.