Football Recruiting - Midwest Region: Wisconsin Badgers
Several visits are on the docket for Somerset (Wis.) High School tight end Gaelin Elmore, and a decision will likely come soon after.
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Lima (Ohio) Central Catholic defensive back Darius West knows where he is going and knows when he will announce it to the public.
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When the Badgers offer a recruit from Wisconsin, it usually signals the end. Wisconsin does not produce a significant number of BCS prospects, but the ones it does have rarely leave the state.
But defensive end Billy Hirschfeld (Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead) was contemplating leaving for several months. Illinois, Iowa State, Michigan State, Minnesota, NC State, Nebraska and Pittsburgh also offered, so he had options.
In the end, though, Hirshfeld joined the numerous other in-state recruits to commit to Wisconsin.
“There was some work to be done,” Hirschfeld said about Wisconsin earning his commitment. “At first they didn’t know if they wanted me at offensive tackle or playing defensive tackle or defensive end, and that was under [former coach Bret] Bielema. When he left, that sank them down a little bit, because it was Bielema who offered me.”
So the 6-foot-6, 267-pound lineman made the rounds, visited a few other schools and built solid relationships elsewhere. He kept going to Wisconsin, too, once Gary Andersen was hired to replace Bielema, who left for Arkansas in December.
Andersen was not just picking up where Bielema left off with Hirschfeld, though. It was going to take some effort to catch up, which he eventually did.
“Getting to know Coach Andersen and Coach Chad, it was definitely an eye opener,” he said. “I’m comfortable with the staff and football program.”
Hirschfeld’s teammate George Panos is also committed to Wisconsin, but it was 2013 signee T.J. Watt who recruited him hardest. The two began working out together recently, and Watt kept drilling Hirschfeld about his recruitment.
“When are you going to commit to Wisconsin?” Watt would ask.
On Tuesday night, Hirschfeld’s parents asked him about his recruitment, too. Unlike Watt, Hirschfeld had an answer for his parents.
“It feels great. I got a lot of fan support from everyone that knows me whether through AAU or playing against them or friends outside of sports,” Hirschfeld said. “It’s a great feeling to play for the home state.”
But defensive end Billy Hirschfeld (Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead) was contemplating leaving for several months. Illinois, Iowa State, Michigan State, Minnesota, NC State, Nebraska and Pittsburgh also offered, so he had options.
In the end, though, Hirshfeld joined the numerous other in-state recruits to commit to Wisconsin.
“There was some work to be done,” Hirschfeld said about Wisconsin earning his commitment. “At first they didn’t know if they wanted me at offensive tackle or playing defensive tackle or defensive end, and that was under [former coach Bret] Bielema. When he left, that sank them down a little bit, because it was Bielema who offered me.”
So the 6-foot-6, 267-pound lineman made the rounds, visited a few other schools and built solid relationships elsewhere. He kept going to Wisconsin, too, once Gary Andersen was hired to replace Bielema, who left for Arkansas in December.
Andersen was not just picking up where Bielema left off with Hirschfeld, though. It was going to take some effort to catch up, which he eventually did.
“Getting to know Coach Andersen and Coach Chad, it was definitely an eye opener,” he said. “I’m comfortable with the staff and football program.”
Hirschfeld’s teammate George Panos is also committed to Wisconsin, but it was 2013 signee T.J. Watt who recruited him hardest. The two began working out together recently, and Watt kept drilling Hirschfeld about his recruitment.
“When are you going to commit to Wisconsin?” Watt would ask.
On Tuesday night, Hirschfeld’s parents asked him about his recruitment, too. Unlike Watt, Hirschfeld had an answer for his parents.
“It feels great. I got a lot of fan support from everyone that knows me whether through AAU or playing against them or friends outside of sports,” Hirschfeld said. “It’s a great feeling to play for the home state.”
After seeing Iowa State the first time, Hartland (Wis.) Arrowhead outside linebacker Sam Seonbuchner knew he wanted to make a return trip.
When he did, he decided he had seen enough.
Seonbuchner committed to the Cyclones on Saturday while on his second visit to the campus this spring, giving Iowa State its fourth commitment of the 2014 class.
"I visited back in March for spring practice and visited the school and came away very impressed with everything," Seonbuchner said. "I wanted to go back, which [I did] today. I was even more impressed [with] the facilities, the coaches, academics, everything they have to offer. I knew I was ready to make a decision, and I committed."
The 6-foot-2, 215-pound prospect also held offers from Ball State, Bowling Green, North Dakota State and Ohio. He also held interest from Minnesota, Northern Illinois, Penn State and Wisconsin. Seonbuchner was recruited by Iowa State defensive graduate assistant Derek Day.
When he did, he decided he had seen enough.
Seonbuchner committed to the Cyclones on Saturday while on his second visit to the campus this spring, giving Iowa State its fourth commitment of the 2014 class.
"I visited back in March for spring practice and visited the school and came away very impressed with everything," Seonbuchner said. "I wanted to go back, which [I did] today. I was even more impressed [with] the facilities, the coaches, academics, everything they have to offer. I knew I was ready to make a decision, and I committed."
The 6-foot-2, 215-pound prospect also held offers from Ball State, Bowling Green, North Dakota State and Ohio. He also held interest from Minnesota, Northern Illinois, Penn State and Wisconsin. Seonbuchner was recruited by Iowa State defensive graduate assistant Derek Day.
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Inspired by Florida's "#ComePlayWRFortheJoker" campaign">Florida's "#ComePlayWRFortheJoker" campaign, our recruiting writers looked at other ways schools can sell themselves on the trail. Here's a look at recruiting pitches for the Big Ten:
Illinois Illini
What they’re selling: A chance to rebuild a program from the ground up, beginning with four-star quarterback Aaron Bailey, who signed in 2013.
What they’re missing: Just about all of the top prospects from their own state.
Indiana Hoosiers
What they’re selling: Indiana coach Kevin Wilson embraces the idea of a college spring break and is ready to head to Cancun with some of his players.
What they’re missing: Wilson looks like he might hold the group up in Mexico, however, as he still needs the assistance of a flotation device. Points that it is in the shape of a turtle, though.
Iowa Hawkeyes
What they’re selling: Iowa boasts one of the few staffs that can say they will be there all four years of a recruit’s career and has the history to back it up. Kirk Ferentz is the longest tenured coach in the Big Ten and it’s not even close.
What they’re missing: Out-of-state prospects tend to think Iowa is all cornfields, leaving the staff to battle that misconception countless times throughout the recruiting cycle.
Michigan Wolverines
What they’re selling: Michigan coach Brady Hoke looks like an outlaw patrolling the sideline on Saturdays without a headset.
What they’re missing: The player who graces the NCAA Football 2014 cover Denard Robinson. "Shoelace" was one of the Wolverines’ best recruiting tools.
Michigan State Spartans
What they’re selling: Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio is the man behind Little Giants, one of the greatest trick plays of the last few decades.
What they’re missing: A trip to a Rose Bowl under Dantonio would put Michigan State over the top when it comes to recruiting. There is already a significant difference in the caliber of player the Spartans are now getting compared to just a few seasons ago.
Minnesota Gophers
What they’re selling: The Gophers boast the biggest locker room in college football.
What they’re missing: They have not had a winning season since 2008.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
What they’re selling: Bo Pelini whipped out “The Bernie” in the Huskers’ Harlem Shake video. Harlem Shake equals instant credibility with recruits.
What they’re missing: A lack of a strong base of in-state talent makes it tough to recruit at Nebraska, and a Harlem Shake video can overcome only so much.
Northwestern Wildcats
What they’re selling: The new facilities are right near Lake Michigan, which, as assistant Bob Heffner is telling recruits, is a great spot for fishing.
What they’re missing: Not too many high schoolers in New Jersey have taken up fishing as a hobby. At least not yet.
Ohio State Buckeyes
What they’re selling: Urban Meyer is bringing SEC speed to the Big Ten.
What they’re missing: Has anyone actually clocked Meyer in the 40-yard dash? How fast is he really?
Penn State Nittany Lions
What they’re selling: Beaver Stadium fits more than 106,000 on Saturdays, making it the second largest stadium in the country. Inside is also one of the country’s most passionate fan bases, and ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit once listed Penn State’s student section as “simply the loudest, most supportive student section in college football.”
What they’re missing: A full slate of scholarships and a chance to play for a Big Ten title the next few years.
Purdue Boilermakers
What they’re selling: Few programs have the history Purdue does at quarterback, and former Boilermakers Drew Brees, Kyle Orton and Curtis Painter are all on NFL rosters. The Boilermakers just signed ESPN 300 QB Danny Etling, too.
What they’re missing: Brees, Orton and Painter.
Wisconsin Badgers
What they’re selling: The Badgers have been to three straight Rose Bowls.
What they’re missing: The coach who took them there.
Illinois Illini
What they’re selling: A chance to rebuild a program from the ground up, beginning with four-star quarterback Aaron Bailey, who signed in 2013.
What they’re missing: Just about all of the top prospects from their own state.
Indiana Hoosiers
What they’re selling: Indiana coach Kevin Wilson embraces the idea of a college spring break and is ready to head to Cancun with some of his players.
What they’re missing: Wilson looks like he might hold the group up in Mexico, however, as he still needs the assistance of a flotation device. Points that it is in the shape of a turtle, though.
Iowa Hawkeyes
What they’re selling: Iowa boasts one of the few staffs that can say they will be there all four years of a recruit’s career and has the history to back it up. Kirk Ferentz is the longest tenured coach in the Big Ten and it’s not even close.
What they’re missing: Out-of-state prospects tend to think Iowa is all cornfields, leaving the staff to battle that misconception countless times throughout the recruiting cycle.
Michigan Wolverines
What they’re selling: Michigan coach Brady Hoke looks like an outlaw patrolling the sideline on Saturdays without a headset.
What they’re missing: The player who graces the NCAA Football 2014 cover Denard Robinson. "Shoelace" was one of the Wolverines’ best recruiting tools.
Michigan State Spartans
What they’re selling: Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio is the man behind Little Giants, one of the greatest trick plays of the last few decades.
What they’re missing: A trip to a Rose Bowl under Dantonio would put Michigan State over the top when it comes to recruiting. There is already a significant difference in the caliber of player the Spartans are now getting compared to just a few seasons ago.
Minnesota Gophers
What they’re selling: The Gophers boast the biggest locker room in college football.
What they’re missing: They have not had a winning season since 2008.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
What they’re selling: Bo Pelini whipped out “The Bernie” in the Huskers’ Harlem Shake video. Harlem Shake equals instant credibility with recruits.
What they’re missing: A lack of a strong base of in-state talent makes it tough to recruit at Nebraska, and a Harlem Shake video can overcome only so much.
Northwestern Wildcats
What they’re selling: The new facilities are right near Lake Michigan, which, as assistant Bob Heffner is telling recruits, is a great spot for fishing.
What they’re missing: Not too many high schoolers in New Jersey have taken up fishing as a hobby. At least not yet.
Ohio State Buckeyes
What they’re selling: Urban Meyer is bringing SEC speed to the Big Ten.
What they’re missing: Has anyone actually clocked Meyer in the 40-yard dash? How fast is he really?
Penn State Nittany Lions
What they’re selling: Beaver Stadium fits more than 106,000 on Saturdays, making it the second largest stadium in the country. Inside is also one of the country’s most passionate fan bases, and ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit once listed Penn State’s student section as “simply the loudest, most supportive student section in college football.”
What they’re missing: A full slate of scholarships and a chance to play for a Big Ten title the next few years.
Purdue Boilermakers
What they’re selling: Few programs have the history Purdue does at quarterback, and former Boilermakers Drew Brees, Kyle Orton and Curtis Painter are all on NFL rosters. The Boilermakers just signed ESPN 300 QB Danny Etling, too.
What they’re missing: Brees, Orton and Painter.
Wisconsin Badgers
What they’re selling: The Badgers have been to three straight Rose Bowls.
What they’re missing: The coach who took them there.
Twenty-two offers are in for Jarrett LaRubbio (Liberty Township, Ohio/Lakota East). The 23rd-ranked player in Ohio is hoping offer No. 23 is his biggest yet.
Two programs the three-star offensive guard believes could offer soon are Notre Dame and Oregon.
Two programs the three-star offensive guard believes could offer soon are Notre Dame and Oregon.
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Four-star running back Johnathan Thomas (Danvers, Mass./Saint John’s Prep) is expecting to see something he’s not been accustomed to growing up in the Northeast.
The No. 1 prospect in the state of Massachusetts is visiting Arkansas beginning Sunday, and he believes it will be an eye-opening trip south, where college football reigns supreme.
“It’s a whole new experience,” Thomas said. “It’s all about football down there; it’s life. Being up from Boston, people like football, but people down there love it. That’s something that really interests me.”
The No. 1 prospect in the state of Massachusetts is visiting Arkansas beginning Sunday, and he believes it will be an eye-opening trip south, where college football reigns supreme.
“It’s a whole new experience,” Thomas said. “It’s all about football down there; it’s life. Being up from Boston, people like football, but people down there love it. That’s something that really interests me.”
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Big Ten endearing itself to RB Ollison 
April, 26, 2013
Apr 26
4:09
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By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
One of the fastest-rising prospects in the East is Buffalo (N.Y.) Canisius running back Qadree Ollison, who has seen several Big Ten teams come for him the last few weeks.
The latest is Penn State, and while the Nittany Lions have not offered, Ollison says the PSU coaching staff is very interested following a visit for the spring game.
The latest is Penn State, and while the Nittany Lions have not offered, Ollison says the PSU coaching staff is very interested following a visit for the spring game.
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Watkins not ready to leave Michigan State
April, 21, 2013
Apr 21
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By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
With two commitments, Mark Dantonio was already having a pretty good weekend. The Michigan State coach would have had a great one if he landed one more important piece.
Galion (Ohio) High School athlete Dareian Watkins did not commit, but he wasn’t exactly ready to leave Michigan State when it came time to head home.
Galion (Ohio) High School athlete Dareian Watkins did not commit, but he wasn’t exactly ready to leave Michigan State when it came time to head home.
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Offer helps Penn State in chase for ATH
April, 11, 2013
Apr 11
7:34
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By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
With time running out, Penn State was not going to hang around any longer.
Galion (Ohio) High School athlete Dareian Watkins is set to make his decision sometime in May, and Penn State was the only finalist yet to offer the 6-foot-1, 195-pound prospect. Unwilling to wait any longer to offer Watkins on campus, Nittany Lions coach Bill O’Brien offered Thursday.
“Coach O’Brien at Penn State decided to offer Dariean tonight over the phone rather than waiting on his visit,” Watkins’ father, Heath, wrote in a text message.
Galion (Ohio) High School athlete Dareian Watkins is set to make his decision sometime in May, and Penn State was the only finalist yet to offer the 6-foot-1, 195-pound prospect. Unwilling to wait any longer to offer Watkins on campus, Nittany Lions coach Bill O’Brien offered Thursday.
“Coach O’Brien at Penn State decided to offer Dariean tonight over the phone rather than waiting on his visit,” Watkins’ father, Heath, wrote in a text message.
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There is a movement for college football prospects to decide earlier and earlier, but Noah Brown (Sparta, N.J./Pope John XXIII) doesn’t see himself doing anything before the start of his senior season.
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Bama only definite visit for top juco OT
April, 2, 2013
Apr 2
9:11
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By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
Being the champs has its benefits, especially when it comes to impressing recruits.
One of the country’s top junior college offensive tackles, Jermaine Eluemunor (Scranton, Pa./Lackawanna College) was planning several trips and set official visits to Ohio State and Texas A&M, but now the only trip for certain is a visit to Alabama in mid-July.
One of the country’s top junior college offensive tackles, Jermaine Eluemunor (Scranton, Pa./Lackawanna College) was planning several trips and set official visits to Ohio State and Texas A&M, but now the only trip for certain is a visit to Alabama in mid-July.
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Coach clarifies Mizzou decommit's status
April, 1, 2013
Apr 1
11:40
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By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
With Sunday’s announcement of Markel Smith (St. Louis/St. John Vianney) decommitting from Missouri, the Tigers were left without a running back in this class -- at least for now.
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N.J. RB Owens with offers from all over
March, 28, 2013
Mar 28
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By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
The list of offers for Gerald Owens (Westville, N.J./West Deptford) is certainly well-rounded. If a Pac-12 team offers soon, he can check the last conference off and complete the list.
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When offer No. 31 came in for Washington (Pa.) running back Shai McKenzie last week, he figured it was time to start cutting his list. It sounds simple, but McKenzie had a harder time when it came to putting pen to paper.
“He struggled to make a list,” Washington coach Mike Bosnic said. “He’s really unsure.”
“He struggled to make a list,” Washington coach Mike Bosnic said. “He’s really unsure.”
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RECRUITING NATION MIDWEST COVERAGE
The Midwest Region consists of the states of Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin and is where the foundation of most Big Ten recruiting classes are made up of. It's also where the MAC finds most of its talent and national programs hunt for prospects.
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