Bret Bielema and the Wisconsin Badgers bolstered their college football program by signing 20 scholarship players and eight walk-ons during National Signing Day.
After winning a share of the Big Ten Championship and earning a Rose Bowl Berth in 2010, Bielema feels the 28 players added on Wednesday will continue the success in Madison. Wisconsin’s recruiting class is currently ranked 38th by Rivals and 39th by Scout, but Bielema knows it’s not always about the four and five star recruits.
“Bigger and more (recruiting) stars isn’t always better. Just stick with the guys that you know can have success here,” said Bielema.
Continue reading for notes and links surrounding Wisconsin’s 2011 Recruiting Class:
Signing Day Links:
- For full profiles and videos of all 28 Wisconsin recruits, click here!
- The Badgers don’t always have the highest ranked recruiting class, but Jack Carey of USA Today writes about how Wisconsin consistently outperforms recruiting rank
Signing Day Notes:
- Breakdown by Position: DL (2), TE (4), OL (2), DB (3), LB (4), RB (1), WR (4)
- Breakdown by State: WI (17), OH (5), FL (2), IL (1), MN (1), NC (1), PA (1)
- Wisconsin is a factory for tight-ends as the four signed on Wednesday may be the most in the country.
- Peawaukee LB Derek Watt is the younger brother of defensive standout J.J. Watt who declared for the NFL Draft after a historical year with the Badgers in 2010. Derek originally committed to Northwestern, but made the change after seeing the success of his brother.
- Tony DB Tyler Leonard is the younger brother of former Badger and current New York Jet Jim Leonard.
- The Badgers aren’t quite done yet as they hold two open scholarships, one of them believed to be reserved for top-1oo recruit Jacoby Brisset.
- Jacoby Brisset is a 6-5, 225 pound QB out of Dwyer High School in West Palm Beach, FL. He is expected to choose between Miami (FL) and Wisconsin in the next couple of days.
What do you think of Wisconsin’s 2011 Recruiting Class? Let me know by commenting below!
Nick Grays is a senior editor at the Sports Bank where he covers the Wisconsin Badgers, Green Bay Packers, Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Brewers. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here or visit his blog Nick Knows Best.