Sojourn Shelton: 2013 Wisconsin Football Recruiting Class

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The best way to get on the field early is to enroll in school early, and that's exactly the route Sojourn Shelton is taking. The composite three-star recruit out of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., graduated early and is already enrolled in spring classes at Wisconsin. That means Shelton will be able to participate in spring practices with the Badgers, and it should give him a significant head start in his development curve.

Shelton is one of two early enrollees in Wisconsin's 2013 recruiting class along with fellow defensive back Keelon Brookins out of St. Paul, Minn. Together, the pair forms another set of options for Gary Andersen and his new staff in helping ease the losses of senior corners Marcus Cromartie and Devin Smith.

A shorter corner at just 5-foot-9, Shelton makes up for his lack of height with exceptional quickness and a swagger on the field that sometimes borders on cocky. While he's not a punishing tackler, scouting reports on Shelton say he's a willing tackler, something that hasn't always been the case in the Wisconsin secondary.

Shelton will need to get stronger and add some bulk to his frame to handle the more physical receivers of the Big Ten, but he could see action sooner rather than later in a slot position against teams that like to throw the ball all over the field.

Rankings

Rivals: (#46 CB - #70 in FL)
Scout: (#82 CB)
ESPN: 80 (#27 CB - #81 in FL)
24/7: 87 (#51 CB - #88 in FL)

Verbally committed October 9, 2012

Shelton was certainly a coup for Bret Bielema's staff when he committed to Wisconsin last October. The defensive back out of Florida also had major offers from schools like Nebraska, West Virginia, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Michigan State and Pittsburgh.

Originally committed to Florida State in June 2011, Shelton later decommitted from the Seminoles the next summer. Wisconsin was considered a favorite shortly after the decommitment, and the Badgers would eventually land their man.

Shelton visited Madison for his official when the Badgers played Northern Iowa in early September. While Shelton made his love for Madison and the University of Wisconsin known immediately, he waited until Oct. 9th to make his final decision. That's when he pulled the trigger and announced he was going to be a Badger.

"It was the right time," Shelton told the Florida Sun Sentinel. "[Wisconsin] feels like home. I'm ready to end the recruiting and focus on the rest of the season and school."

Committed To The University Of Wisconsin #OnWisconsin

— Sojourn Shelton II (@SDS_24) October 10, 2012

Video Highlights

Statistics

Senior: 22 tackles, 1 INT, 16 pass breakups; returned 3 punts for TDs
Junior: 3 INTs
Sophomore: Starter at CB, 4 INTs

Honors

2012 First Team All-County by South Florida Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald (Sr.)
Selected for Nike's "The Opening" all-star camp
Selected for ESPN's Champion Gridiron Kings
MVP of Miami-area Nike Football Training Camp in April 2012
Named to the Broward County Super 11 by the Sun Sentinel (Jr.)

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