2019 ILB Leo Chenal signs with Wisconsin

One of the best in-state players for this class of 2019, Leo Chenal will join his older brother, walk-on fullback John, in Madison as another set of siblings who have played for Wisconsin. After a decorated prep career where he won the WFCA small school offensive and defensive player of the year and Gatorade state football player of the year, he will come to UW and add depth to a talent inside linebacking corp.

Rankings

247Sports (composite): Three stars; Grade: .08714; No. 624 player. No. 34 ATH; No. 2 WI

247Sports: Three stars; Grade 89; No. 398 player; No. 23 ATH; No. 1 WI

ESPN: Three stars; Grade: 77; No. 19 ILB; No. 78 Regional; No. 2 WI

Rivals: Three stars; 5.6 rating; No. 34 ILB; No. 3 WI

Verbally committed on Sept. 10, 2017

Chenal became the first verbal commitment for 2019 early on during the 2017 season, and he stuck with his initial pledge for over 15 months until Wednesday.

He officially visited the weekend of June 15-17 along with fellow in-state commit, running back Julius Davis, and a few recruits that eventually became made the decision to come to Wisconsin. Those include cornerback Semar Melvin and defensive linemen Gio Paez and Rodas Johnson.

According to WisSports.net, Chenal ran for 2,038 yards on 194 carries with 42 touchdowns while catching 12 passes for 226 yards and three scores through the air this season. He even completed all three of his passing attempts, two for touchdowns.

Defensively, Chenal tallied 120 tackles—seven for loss—with a sack, two interceptions and one pick-six in his senior campaign.

According to 247Sports, he held two offers—one from Wisconsin and one from South Dakota State.

Video highlights

Bio (courtesy of UWBadgers.com)

High School: Three-star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals … 2018 Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year … first-team all-state (small schools) at both running back and linebacker by Wisconsin Football Coaches Association as a senior … second-team all-state (all schools) on both offense and defense by Associated Press as a senior … named Wisconsin’s small school Offensive Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the year by WFCA as a senior … John Anderson Award winner as the state’s top senior linebacker … first-team all-state by WFCA at linebacker as a junior … four-year All-Lakeland Conference honoree … finished career with 385 tackles, 55 TFLs, 7 sacks and 3 interceptions … on offense, finished with 3,706 yards and 68 TDs rushing as well as 1,300 yards and 17 TDs receiving … two-year team captain … also earned All-Lakeland honors in basketball and track … four-year honor roll student … National Honor Society … coach was Adam Hale

Personal: Parents are David and Brenda Chenal