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Wisconsin football recruiting: Pitt RB Chris James announces transfer to Badgers

The former Badger target will get two years to play at Wisconsin.

By Andrew Rosin
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

In a season where the Wisconsin Badgers have been able to land pretty much everyone they wanted, there was one position that remained fluid. You could go into the reasons why, but the fact of the matter is with the graduations of Corey Clement and Dare Ogunbowale, UW is set to need two running backs for the class of 2017. On Friday, the Badgers appeared to land one piece of the puzzle when former Pittsburgh Panthers rusher Chris James announced he was officially cleared by admissions to transfer to Wisconsin.

On the recruiting trail back in 2012, James, then an impressive recruit at Notre Dame College Prep, listed the Badgers as his favorites on multiple occasions, but the board for then-running backs coach Thomas Hammock held Caleb Kinlaw, who transferred last season after a position switch to cornerback, in higher esteem ($). James ended up going to Pittsburgh, where he showed flashes of brilliance, averaging 5 yards per carry as a true freshman before losing time as a sophomore to Pat Narduzzi recruits Darrin Hall and Qadree Ollison.

According to BadgerNation.com, the former ACC running back received the good news from his new position coach:

James told BadgerNation in mid-April that Wisconsin was the only school he was focused on transferring to but needed to wait until he was officially admitted into the University before things could move forward. He got the thumbs up Thursday night from Settle and received the official documentation on Friday.

"Coach Settle sent me a text, saying ‘welcome to the Badger family,’" James said. "I am really excited. It’s definitely been a long journey."

After he sits out 2016, James will be in line for starters reps from day one. That said, with impressive springs from both Bradrick Shaw and Taiwan Deal, the Badgers are set to have an intriguing competition for carries next season.

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