2018 Badger Football Thread

[Kerb Hohl]

QB commit that we got in on early for 2019, Graham Mertz, was offered by Michigan a few weeks ago and just got an Ohio State offer among a lot of other interest.

This is gonna be fun.

[Turk Nowitzki]

We might be **** on that one, I'm already prepared for it. Once things start getting into the Ohio St. level of recruiting they rarely end well for us.

It would be huge for the program if they manage to hold onto him along with OT Logan Brown, the other big time 2019 commit we've secured.

[Mags FTW]

So WTF is a commitment worth? Nothing until they actually sign I guess.

[LittleRooster]

So WTF is a commitment worth? Nothing until they actually sign I guess.

Watch on YouTube

[Bernman]

Um, he tweeted about the offer, and said Go Bucks at the end. Ben Bryant's commitment got rescinded for the same reason or less even. Mertz must be aware of that story now, and just must not care much. Flood said he's not returned calls for a few weeks. Don't know if he meant to him or the staff. If it's the former not overly concerned, the latter it's done.

[Kerb Hohl]

Um, he tweeted about the offer, and said Go Bucks at the end. Ben Bryant's commitment got rescinded for the same reason or less even. Mertz must be aware of that story now, and just must not care much. Flood said he's not returned calls for a few weeks. Don't know if he meant to him or the staff. If it's the former not overly concerned, the latter it's done.

I think the Ben Bryant thing was another issue disguised in the "he tweeted another offer." Bryson Williams tweeted his Nebraska offer and the Badgers held on and did not boot him.

Not great news on the other part of it, though.

[ReginaldDwight]

So WTF is a commitment worth? Nothing until they actually sign I guess.

Exactly nothing till they are on that dotted line. Its the way it should be with the amount of money schools make of kids.

[crkone]

He still has the committed to WI post as his pinned tweet...

[Kerb Hohl]

He still has the committed to WI post as his pinned tweet...

Yeah, it's very possible they can keep him. They've kept guys like him before (at other positions), but when the big dogs start sniffing around, it becomes a 50/50 chance that we lose the guy. All speculation at this point.

[trwi7]

Maybe he just wants to let everyone know that he's talented enough to be recruited by the likes of Ohio State but realizes his best chance of starting is to go to a school like Wisconsin that's pretty solidly a top 15 program where the path to starting is much clearer or at least not as difficult as having to beat out multiple 4 and 5 star recruits. I mean, if I was good enough to be recruited by the Ohio States and Alabamas and Clemsons, I'd want people to know about it.

Or maybe he does want to go to Ohio State. Either way, not going to get worked up about it until he de-commits.

[Kerb Hohl]

Maybe he just wants to let everyone know that he's talented enough to be recruited by the likes of Ohio State but realizes his best chance of starting is to go to a school like Wisconsin that's pretty solidly a top 15 program where the path to starting is much clearer or at least not as difficult as having to beat out multiple 4 and 5 star recruits. I mean, if I was good enough to be recruited by the Ohio States and Alabamas and Clemsons, I'd want people to know about it.

Or maybe he does want to go to Ohio State. Either way, not going to get worked up about it until he de-commits.

I pretty much agree, but more often than not, these guys still go to Florida or Ohio State or wherever and trust themselves to beat out multiple 4 and 5 star recruits, and if that fails, transfer down. See: Jacoby Brissett, Joe Mixon, and Antonio Williams in their Wisconsin recruitment or basically any good interested player Wisconsin basketball has (different dynamics, but still can't hold off the bluebloods).

[sidney moncrief]

It was well known when this kid committed that he'd be tough to hold onto. Most teams only sign 1 QB per class so recruits essentially need to "save a spot" by taking the first good offer they get before all the spots fill up. If you wait too long you risk getting passed over and you're left with fewer options.

[Turk Nowitzki]

Flood said he's not returned calls for a few weeks. Don't know if he meant to him or the staff. If it's the former not overly concerned, the latter it's done.

Yeah like you said, I don't know if this was in reference to Mertz not returning calls to him but if so, a 17 year old kid is under no obligation to provide life updates to a reporter. I know I sure as hell wouldn't be if I was ever in that position. I don't take much from that.

[Turk Nowitzki]

Here's a somewhat reassuring piece from Jesse Temple today on Mertz "sticking with his commitment" to the Badgers.

https://www.landof10.com/wisconsin/wisconsin-badgers-graham-mertz-quarterback

Doesn't mean he still won't change his mind at some point but still good to read.

[Bernman]

FWIW, somebody interpreted Flood's comment as meaning calls to him, and Evan didn't correct it. Although he never clarified what he meant himself.

That's a nice article. I think the commitment means something, but he likes his alternatives, wouldn't be broken up if the deal fell through, and has something really to think about now. I'd point out to him Ohio State plays a spread option with dual threat qb's. Who is the last pro-style qb they've had that's succeeded there? They also haven't done well in the pros. Wisconsin has gotten moderate qb'ing talent in the program and Chryst is sort of a guru. Imagine if a big-time talent like him joined. Wisconsin hasn't been missing much else over the years.

[Bernman]

Seems like they're going to take one more scholarship athlete for this class. I'd really commit all resources toward addressing the cb position because if the team takes a significant step back next year, in all likelihood weakness there will be why. Carriere-Williams couldn't check #3's, what's going to happen vs. #1's? I've heard good things about Hicks. Cone didn't look bad in limited action, but is very unproven, and small. Burton was fairly highly rated and Smith may be a sleeper with his technical ability plus being a decent athlete. Still seemingly not enough.

I'd try to sell Wisconsin being a contender if they shore up that one position to the top remaining cb prospects. Brents looks like a possibility. Look into if any of the top jucos would qualify academically. AVG was a big help this year. Maybe take a grad transfer. A starter from Utah is transferring and they were probably better at the position this year than we will be next. Switch a wr like Green to that side of the ball. Are in great shape at wr for a while. By the same token allocate Cruickshank there. Experiment with smaller safeties like Burrell and Bondoc. Hope you can find 2-3 guys who can match-up by the end.

[Bernman]

Sounds like they're doing what I suggested. Seem to really be committing to the plan to fill the cornerback hole.

Some hubbub that Brents got his requisite test score and will be going to UW. Shortish, but strong, competitive, speedster. https://247sports.com/Player/Jairus-Brents-76603

Also are going on what may be a Wildgoose chase. He's a bigger cb to match up with #1's potentially. https://247sports.com/player/rachad-wildgoose-jr-46038370

I think they should think about adding a vet too just in case none of those guys are fully ready. Even if they are the group is kind of tenuous. Casey Hughes is transferring from Utah. He's 6' and started on the #16 ranked pass defense in a pass-happy league this season. https://www.sltrib.com/sports/utah-utes/2018/01/10/utes-starting-cornerback-casey-hughes-to-transfer/comments/#disqus_thread

[El Duderino]

Maybe he just wants to let everyone know that he's talented enough to be recruited by the likes of Ohio State but realizes his best chance of starting is to go to a school like Wisconsin that's pretty solidly a top 15 program where the path to starting is much clearer or at least not as difficult as having to beat out multiple 4 and 5 star recruits. I mean, if I was good enough to be recruited by the Ohio States and Alabamas and Clemsons, I'd want people to know about it.

Ask Antonio Williams about that.

He dropped his commit to Wisconsin when Ohio St offered and as a result has spent the last two seasons mostly on the bench except for garbage time carries. With Dobbs/Weber back next year, Williams will likely see much of the same as the 3rd RB barring injury to either Dobbs or Weber.

[Kerb Hohl]

Maybe he just wants to let everyone know that he's talented enough to be recruited by the likes of Ohio State but realizes his best chance of starting is to go to a school like Wisconsin that's pretty solidly a top 15 program where the path to starting is much clearer or at least not as difficult as having to beat out multiple 4 and 5 star recruits. I mean, if I was good enough to be recruited by the Ohio States and Alabamas and Clemsons, I'd want people to know about it.

Ask Antonio Williams about that.

He dropped his commit to Wisconsin when Ohio St offered and as a result has spent the last two seasons mostly on the bench except for garbage time carries. With Dobbs/Weber back next year, Williams will likely see much of the same as the 3rd RB barring injury to either Dobbs or Weber.

I’m surprised Williams hasn’t just transferred. I’m all for guys doing what Williams did and just taking the lead role at Vanderbilt or something after you don’t seize the role at OSU.

[MikeIsGood]

Three star Athlete/WR Nolan Groulx commited today for 2019. From NC, with offers from schools such as NC State, South Carolina, West Virginia.