In-state recruiting tracker

[Bernini]

WSN Football's Juniors to Watch
by Marlins

Top prospects are:

6'3, 270 DT/OL Henry Vande Hey, Wrightstown
6'4, 241 LB/DE Tyler Dippel, Hartford Union
6'8, 280 OT Alex Dietzen, Appleton East
6'5, 302 DT/OL Travis Fredrick, Big Foot
6'3, 225 DE/TE Shelby Harris, Mequon Homestead
5'11, 151 K Jeff Budzien, Arrowhead

I've also heard buzz for: OL/DL Hank Jacobs, TE/LB Justin Juckem, and TE/LB Ethan Bachinski.

Tyler Dippel is the odds on favorite for best prospect in the state. He probably projects to the outside of the D-Line with his size. One of many in state recruits which project to the D-Line for 2009. This could be a deterrent for the Badgers to recruit a surplus of D-Line talent this cycle, in order to increase their chances that 1-2 can contribute immediate, and help UW's woes for that unit.

I personally saw Jeff Budzien and Shelby Harris in the D1 state championship. Budzien had a big leg. Harris played inside the majority of the time and was engorged by the enormous Arrowhead O-Line. He would be better served moving outside where he could use his evident quickness and athleticism.

[Bernini]

I also predict that at least one of the Badgers' remaining commitments for '08 will be from in state, be it; Rick Wagner, Damon Campbell, Chris Echols, Austin Hahn, or Drew Nowak. Some have walk on offers, but pressure from mid majors at least offering schollies, will induce the same action from Wisconsin, lest risk losing potential contributors, with whom we believed we had the inside track.

[Bernini]

WSN Football

by Marlin Lee

Badger running backs' coach's son Jon Settle will likely get a schollie from the Citadel and BYU is showing strong interest.

[Heavystarch]

I think Leighton, Settle's younger son, will be a Badger. He is currently only a soph.

[Bernini]

Originally Posted by Heavystarch

I think Leighton, Settle's younger son, will be a Badger. He is currently only a soph.

Well from what I understand, if Jon Settle is getting this much attention from recruiters, Leighton will be a Badger if HE so desires. It doesn't hurt for your father to be a D1 coach. Keep in mind though in regards to him coming to Wisconsin that 2010- signing day is a long away. His father may be running backs or another position coach elsewhere by then.

[GoBuffs99]

Great friggin thread. Tons of info.

[Bernini]

SPASH RB Mitch Sutton finally gets some due respect garnering offers from two D1AA schools in North Dakota and South Dakota......WSN Football (12/17). He's deserving of a D1A offer, but the stereotypes of white running backs precede him. SPASH DE Jordan Mancl also received an offer from South Dakota.

Fon Du Lac Lineman J.J. Manowske committed to D1AA North Dakota State........WSN Football (12/18).

[Heavystarch]

You would think Justin Beaver's success would help out some of the in-state running backs

[Bernini]

Hey Heavy, speaking of your main man, Whitewater RB Justin Beaver; he put up pretty sick numbers at Badger Pro Day recently.

40: 4.41 seconds
SS: 3.96 seconds
3-cone: 6.72 seconds
Reps: 24 (225)

Height and weight was 5-8 and 192 pounds.

His weight dilutes his agility drill times to a minor extent (still very impressive), but makes his strength even more jaw-dropping. Some DB's (I realize he probably won't be a DB) at similar weight can't even lift the bar once.

I wouldn't be surprised to see him drafted with this performance in conjunction with his awesome production at Whitewater. He looks quick on film and I'm sure an NFL team could find a role in which to employ him.

[Bernini]

The story of Whitewater running back, and draft hopeful this weekend, Justin Beaver:

YouTube - Relentless: The Justin Beaver Story

[Bernini]

I agree with Marlins when he asserted it's pretty amazing the amount of D1 offers that have already been distributed to Wisconsin footballers. I count 16 players who were offered full D1 rides in state during the '08 cycle. Already, around 14 players have received D1 schollie opportunities for '09, and no Wisconsin camps are even in session yet!

Taking a peek at Frederick's reel on Rivals, he plays pretty quick for a guy that massive. And he's just enveloping defenders.

Hey Marlins, what's the word with Freddie Vande Hey?

[TroyD92]

Thought Id share this

Anyone who has followed Park High School football during the last 25 years or so knows this program produces running backs as if they came off an assembly line. Starting with Melvin Bridges in 1980, some of the names have been Kevin Thurman, Turner Ray Morris, Ted Ford, Brent Moss, Justin Cobb, Eric Hamilton, Cory Tenner and Johnny Clay. And now there’s Deon McLain.

The senior rushed for 324 yards and four touchdowns on just 19 carries — for an average of 17 yards per attempt — in a 40-14 Southeast Conference victory over Muskego. Through four games, McLain has rushed for 875 yards and 13 touchdowns on 87 carries for the undefeated Panthers.

[Bernini]

Originally Posted by TroyD92

Thought Id share this

He's still rolling, ranked the 3rd best rusher in the state. Troy, can you give me an idea of what kind of projectibles the kid has? I'm also curious as to why he went from virtual obscurity to prominence.

On a related note, I'm still on the fence about whether or not we should accept another back for this class. I can't picture Fenton on defense because of his lack of physicality. Maybe he could be the speed back we're looking for if he sheds a little weight.

[TroyD92]

Deon was always behind a great back whether JC or last year Damonshay Pitt who was beasting as well untill he decided to shoot up a liquor store. Deon is a great player he runs probably in the 4.4's maybe 4.5's he also returns kicks and plays defense. then theres another JR behind him named Tay something I cant remember.

as for the other back I would love to get a speed back Im not high on Finkela, it depends on who it is for me, someone like that kid from AZ or even that Juco Andre Harris.

[Bernini]

Originally Posted by TroyD92

Deon was always behind a great back whether JC or last year Damonshay Pitt who was beasting as well untill he decided to shoot up a liquor store. Deon is a great player he runs probably in the 4.4's maybe 4.5's he also returns kicks and plays defense. then theres another JR behind him named Tay something I cant remember.

as for the other back I would love to get a speed back Im not high on Finkela, it depends on who it is for me, someone like that kid from AZ or even that Juco Andre Harris.

Oh, yeah, I forgot about Pitt. That explains how McClean came from nowhere. Unfortunately, it might be too late for him to receive any notable scholarship offers. Do you know if he has academic and/or character problems like a lot of the backs out that school? We have a rampant problem with the former in this state that has robbed college programs of some great athletes. I thought it was primarily a Milwaukee area problem but appears to have spread to places like Madison. Rumors are that D.J. Fuller of LaFollette doesn't take grades seriously. Marquis Mason of East is shaky. Of course in basketball that was Maymon's biggest question. Back to the Milwaukee area, Bo Cole of Custer clearly would have received a D1 scholarship in '07 if schools only cared about what he did on the football field. I thought it was reported that the peculiar lack of interest for Damon Campbell and/or Chris Echols of State Champions Wisconsin was due to academic inadequacies. Then you have Pitt from Park and his indiscretions. It's unfortunate for football but more importantly their lives. A lot of these kids could great educations and potential future career opportunities if they were good enough....but they blew/are blowing it.