Wisconsin football recruiting: Badgers make top 7 for RB Tavion Thomas

One of the things that can be frustrating if you watch the recruiting of a team that’s known for their evaluation and yet just below the upper tier is that sometimes you find an interesting prospect. Then you watch as the prep standout’s recruitment grows too big for your team.

After the Wisconsin Badgers offered on Jan. 19, those whom were paying attention watched as running back from Dayton, Ohio (Dunbar), Tavion Thomas became one of the more highly sought-after prospects at the position in the 2018 recruiting cycle. The 6’2, 225-pound powerback garnered offers from a who’s who of Power Five schools.

Saturday afternoon gave the Badgers some clarity, however, when Thomas announced his top seven on Twitter. Wisconsin found itself firmly in play for the running back.

Alabama, Cincinnati, Louisville, Oklahoma, USC and West Virginia also made the list.

The obvious question then becomes just how much of a chance the Badgers have. Obviously, the Crimson Tide, Sooners and Trojans are all quality schools no one would begrudge a prospect for choosing—but there is one school off the board that has to make you believe that something’s possible.

That is Ohio State. The 247Sports’ Crystal Ball had Thomas overwhelmingly headed to Columbus, and with this new top seven, a new leader is unknown.

There’s no guarantee that the Badgers get arguably their current ace at the position, but with a planned visit coming this month (according to Badger247’s Evan Flood), there’s definitely hope.

Thomas is rated a four-star recruit by Scout (the No. 238 overall player in the nation), and a three-star recruit by 247Sports (composite and standalone), Rivals and ESPN. He’s rated the following currently:

• Scout — No. 16
• 247Sports Composite—No. 18 (No. 342 overall player in nation)
• 247Sports Standalone—No. 21 (No. 357 overall)
• ESPN—No. 28
• Rivals—No. 28