By Benjamin Worgull
FOXSportsWisconsin.com
February 3, 2011
MADISON -- As a young defensive coordinator and fiery recruiter, Bret Bielema got the best piece of advice possible from outgoing head coach Barry Alvarez.
When it comes to recruiting, you keep the best players from the state in the state, first and foremost.
The state of Wisconsin traditionally doesn't produce the four and five-star players that make college football powerhouses salivate but being the only Division 1 program in the 'Badger State,' Bielema and his staff seemingly have the pick of the litter when it comes to who they want to join their program.
"As a recruiting base, we always start within the state and build out," Bielema said.
Wisconsin certainly did that, as the Badgers announced the signings of 20 scholarship athletes, nine of which come from inside the state, and eight preferred walk ons that also played high school football in Wisconsin.
"It means a lot to us to keep the best players from the state in the state," said offensive line coach Bob Bostad, who is responsible for recruiting Wisconsin along with Minnesota. "We want to find those kids that grew up fans that will grow up and be players."
Without question, one of those players was Kenosha running back Melvin Gordon, considered by many along with UW linebacker commit Jake Keefer (Baldwin) to be among the best in the state. Gordon, who rushed for 38 touchdowns and 2,009 yards last season, originally committed to Iowa, but reopened his commitment halfway through the season.
Both running back coach John Settle and Bielema pointed to Wisconsin's convincing victory over Ohio State as a possible turning point in Gordon's mind, while Gordon pointed out that after virtually every one of his football games, he saw Bielema or another assistant coach in the stands. It also didn't hurt that three UW running backs rushed for over 995 yards last season.
"If we didn't have a special year, I don't know if he would have switched courses and come our way," Bielema said
There are plenty of other talented out-of-state players that gave the Badgers another top 40 signing class according to Scout.com. Trottwood (Ohio) wide receiver A.J. Jordan was UW's top receiving target entering the year, Cincinnati defensive end Jesse Hayes is the son of former UW assistant Jay Hayes, Chicago defensive end James Adeyanju is considered one of the top ends in the Midwest and four of the Badgers five inked defensive backs rank in the top 100 in the country at their position.
Still, it's about the players that grew up in the state that allow local fans to easily cheer for these players; players like Merrill tight end Sam Arneson, whose dad played the same position for UW 20 years early, Waunakee tight end Austin Maly, who picked out Wisconsin wallpaper when he was in seventh grade and Pewaukee linebacker Derek Watt, the younger brother of J.J. Watt who is anxious to surpass his brother's legacy.
"Our class is really strong in the state of Wisconsin," Bielema said. "I'll go back to this year, going in I knew our senior group of players were good players, but some of the better ones were Wisconsin kids. Lance Kendricks and Gabe Carimi on offense. Returning we have Peter Konz and Kevin Zeitler on offense, Bradie Ewing the way he is playing at fullback. Are Wisconsin kids are the heart and soul, those other guys tie in and build around that."
