These are my personal top 5 targets for the UW program, from their offer board, based upon what I've; seen, read, and heard.
Recruits:
1.
Blake Ayles- Ayles is an extremely polished, ultra productive tight end for a high school prospect, from the fertile passing state of California. On film, he just leaps leaps out at you as a physical specimen. He is a dual threat TE, being equally as skilled at blocking as receiving. Therefore, he can be used on both pass and run downs, which wouldn't tip off the defense. His run blocking would definitely come in handy at Wisconsin, a traditionally run oriented school (although not as much as in the past). He shows good instincts to sell play action, then disengage the block quickly, and present himself as a receiver. And he's coordinated enough to catch the tough throws. His speed isn't elite, but it's solid for his size. He, however, is an elite national prospect. The Badgers have a reasonable shot at Ayles because of a few reasons. First, his father is from Wisconsin, so logicially the Badgers have more prestige in his household than in the most of the rest of households in California. Second, the Badgers most recent tight end alums were both drafted (Daniels and Pociask), with Daniels having started for the Texans as a rookie and having a solid season. Finally, Travis Beckum was the top receiving tight end in the nation last year by a considerable margin, and is on numerous publication's preseason all american watch lists. He'd be the signature acquisition for the Badger's '08 class.
2.
Isiah Pead- Competition aside, it's difficult to make opponents look so outmatched, as Pead does. His best attributes have to be his change of direction ability due to his tremendous reaction times. Exhibits good burst in small spaces as well as top end speed. When he gets a seam, he's gone. Very determined runner. Shows good instincts as receiver, coming back to the football. If I had to give one criticism, maybe he could run lower to the ground. He should play with the ball in his hands at the next level. UW is said to be recruiting him as a running back, which would be his best fit. But he has the versatility to succeed at multiple other positions if he fails at his first. He might have received an OSU in a leaner year in Ohio or with a more voluminous Buckeye class. Grades might be an issue with a 2.6 GPA, so hopefully he's not another talented acamedic casualty at Wisconsin, like C.J. Peake from the same state who was compelled to change his commitment to Louisville for grade reasons.
3.
Willie Mobley- Mobley is a versatile D-Line prospect who could play both inside and outside. Very productive for a line player tackle wise, accumulating 74 tackles, with 15 coming in the backfield, and 12 sacks; for Minnesota power Eden Prarie. Extremely athletic for a stocky 260 pounder with good quickness, and pretty good speed. He makes up some for his height deficiency with an above average vert. But the lack of height should work to his advantage if he slides to the interior of the line, because it allows him to have superior leverage to hold position. The Badgers probably see him as a DT because the current staff prefers DE's to be at least 6-4. Fits into Bielema's vision of having more athletic Badger teams than the ones who had the reputation of being plodding in the past. Depth chart is favorable at that position with the DT jobs up for grabs after '08 (Chapman and Newkirk graduate), and little done to address that issue in '07 and thus far in '08. Teammate of '07 Badger signee Black Sorensen.
4.
Chris Anderson- Anderson is a true running back who was very productive against stiff athletic competition in the best football state in the country...Florida. He racked up almost 1,700 yards and 20 td's last year. He's adept at knifing through the teeth of defenses and then knocking some teeth out if need be. However, he'd prefer to run around contact, and succeeds with tremendous feet and vision. More of an inside runner, which projects well to the next level. He doesn't have the speed to get the corner, as most backs don't against faster linebackers when they reach the next level. But he is a blur in short spurts, running past the initial line of defense, before they know what hit them. Not a home run back, but triples result in score more often than not too. Coveted by teams who know running backs like: Auburn (RB U), Minnesota, and Wisconsin themselves. Teammate in high school is current Wisconsin commit DB Kevin Claxton, so hopefully he's in Anderson's ear.
5.
Brandon Beachum- Beachum is either an undersized linebacker prospect or an oversized/slowish running back, depending upon who you ask. If you ask me, he's a football player. The Badgers are recruiting him at running back, although I don't know if that's his ideal position. Brandon is a long time starter amidst very difficult competition in Ohio. Each of the last two seasons he's amassed over 100 tackles on the defensive side of the ball, with a combined 20 sacks. He has a unique ability to keep his eyes down field, while effortlessly shedding blocks. Then, when he can zero in on a ball carrier, he pounces like a cat. He's nasty! But he's not limited to playing at the line, because he's capable of dropping back into coverage and making plays like a safety. I believe ideally he's a linebacker at the next level. Hopefully Bret can get him and campus and then he can assess from there. Beachum said he "fell in love" with Wisconsin after a recent visit.
Anybody else have their own personal top 5 prospects for UW or comments on these?
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