/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65918027/1187198179.jpg.0.jpg)
Recruiting is the lifeblood of any major college athletics team, but following it closely as a fan can sometimes be difficult and can often be time consuming. We’ll try and condense all the recruiting news you can use into this bi-weekly post. It’ll include updates on current commits, including stats from their high school games, as well as news on players the Badgers are still pursuing. Let’s get down to business!
The Badgers have been hot on the trail for the class of 2021, getting two recent verbal commits over the weekend. However, most of the attention right now is being paid to the class of 2020 which can start signing their national letters of intent on Wednesday. Here are some brief updates on a few players.
- 2020 4-star LB Nick Herbig (Honolulu, Hawaii) was named the best defensive player in the state and after watching his highlights I completely agree. If the Badgers get 2020 4-star LB Kaden Johnson (Minneapolis, Minn.), and that’s a big if as many signs are pointing towards Nebraska, this could be one of the best linebacker recruiting classes in the country.
Saint Louis' Nick Herbig is the 2019 ScoringLive All-Hawaii Football Open Division Defensive Player of the Year. Full listings available on https://t.co/pORJz15WGi. pic.twitter.com/tR2urzpnbM
— ScoringLive (@scoringlive) December 16, 2019
- 2020 3-star LB Malik Reed (Chandler, Ariz.) had a great season for the Wolves and, it would appear, so did a good number of his teammates. I think he and Herbig could form a special duo for the Badgers in the future.
LEADERS OF THE PACK! #4PEAT pic.twitter.com/ecUIuJkBpS
— Coach G (@GarretsonRick) December 16, 2019
In-home visits
- 2020 4-star OT Jack Nelson (Stoughton) got one of the last in-home visits from coach Chryst since, you know, Stoughton isn’t very far away from Madison.
Had a great in home visit last night! #OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/f4Jbv4DYdO
— Jack Nelson (@JackNelson755) December 15, 2019
Some quick notes on the 2021 class
- The Badgers are in some pretty exclusive, early company with their 2021 class. Those are some traditional recruiting powerhouses and it is nice to see the Badgers join their ranks in anything recruiting related.
#Badgers are one of five programs who have gotten at least seven commitments in their 2021 class, joining Notre Dame, Texas, Florida, and Miami (FL).
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) December 15, 2019
- The Badgers have almost built an impenetrable wall around the state when it comes to football recruiting. It is worth noting that in-state recruiting IS important in football, as opposed to basketball where things are much more amorphous on where a team’s “home region” may be. For instance, you could argue that Wisconsin’s “home region” for basketball recruiting includes the Twin Cities, but that’s not what we are here to talk about.
It is nice to see Paul Chryst and co. have 80% of the top-five Wisconsinites locked up for the 2021 class already. Hopefully Hunter Wohler will join the party, but his recruitment should be a battle.
#Wisconsin has already locked up four of the top five players from inside the state in the 2021 class. One big one remaining out there for the #Badgers...https://t.co/kYhEtPSmG5 pic.twitter.com/Ewuvu6P3nQ
— Jon McNamara (@McNamaraRivals) December 15, 2019
Twin brothers doing dunks
- That’s it. That’s the headline.
Twin connection https://t.co/WAYXYePXw1
— Jordan Davis (@jordan_davis_23) December 14, 2019
Davis to Davis. pic.twitter.com/zA3gOPEXHL
— Jon McNamara (@McNamaraRivals) December 14, 2019
Hoops recruits looking good early in the season
- 2021 4-star PF Chris Hodges (Schaumburg, Ill.) has been impressing folks early this year. He could be another player that Wisconsin was in on early who turns out to be better than everyone thought. Maybe he could become a Ryan Evans/Charles Thomas combo but with a more advanced offensive game.
#Wisconsin #Badgers commit Chris Hodges is so much better than a year ago. His mobility and advanced post moves are very impressive.
— Scott Burgess (@scottybscout) December 14, 2019