Wisconsin Football: Badgers have sneaky good early signing period

Wisconsin football continues to fly under-the-radar in recruiting, but this time they have produced one of their better classes ever

Every year, the same college football teams get noticed during signing day as all the four and five-star recruits head to seemingly the same schools- Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, etc.

This year was no different, even with the inaugural early signing period, which allowed recruits the opportunity to sign their national letters of intent sooner than normal. Many athletes took the world up on that offer, as most schools secured a good chunk of their 2018 talent.

The Wisconsin Badgers were no exception. Normally a team that flies well under-the-radar and middle-of-the-pack in the Big Ten Conference, the Badgers did not open any new eyes again this year. The mantra of the program for many years have been try, but not too hard, to get the top-tier talent and focus on the types of players that the coaching staff can mold into a championship caliber unit.

In 2017, the Badgers were one game away from making the College Football Playoff and they did so having been nowhere near the top of their conference in recruiting rankings. While a disappointing end to the regular season remains on fans’ minds, the 2018 class- many of who signed on Wednesday, December 20 – gives the Badgers a lot to be excited about.

A total of 26 players signed with the Badgers, all but one who are three-stars or less. Wisconsin currently sits eighth in the Big Ten in the 2018 class rankings, but something about this squad has the future looking bright.

One of the incoming players is four-star linebacker Jack Zanborn, out of Illinois. Wisconsin just recently lost their linebackers coach Tim Tibesar to Oregon State, so it is a promising sign that they were able to retain Zanborn. He should fit in nicely with an already talented linebacker unit.

Perhaps the most notable additions came in the secondary, as four three-star players are coming in next season.

Two to watch out for are Travion Blaylock and ESPN four-star Donte Burton. While these two will likely have to wait their turn for at least a season, especially if star corner Nick Nelson returns, these two names could be the lockdown corners of the Big Ten by the time they are seniors.

Of the 26, five players will be early enrollees in January. These include Bryson Williams (DT), Reggie Pearson Jr. (S), Taj Mustapha (WR), Donte Burton (CB), and Aron Cruickshank (ATH).

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Also included in the total were a few preferred walk-ons, including local quarterback Nate Carter. As many college football enthusiasts know, walk-ons are something special at Wisconsin and have produced a lot of great talent.