By Benjamin Worgull
BadgerNation.com Publisher
MADISON — Despite losing to Ohio State Saturday, Wisconsin got a big victory in Ohio Sunday, as Westerville (OH) South safety Marcus Ball announced his decision to join the Badgers' 2013 recruiting class.
"Committed to play football at the University of Wisconsin!" Ball tweeted.
The 6-3, 205-pound Ball is the 18th commit to Wisconsin's 2013 recruiting class, choosing the Badgers over his four other favorites -- Arizona State, Michigan State, Notre Dame and USC -- and 18 other scholarship offers.
The quarterback/safety and basketball star was a big part of his school's success in 2011 -- passing for 1,300 yards and 16 touchdowns, running for 500 yards and intercepting seven passes with a touchdown. He projects as either a safety or a linebacker.
"Wisconsin is a great school and balanced academically and football," Ball texted.
Being the younger brother of Ray Ball -- who is a redshirt sophomore offensive lineman at Wisconsin -- was a definite positive in researching Wisconsin, but didn't make the Badgers necessarily the favorite.
"I probably have the best feel for Wisconsin because of my brother," Ball said previously. "Coach Azzanni has been recruiting me for a while now. The new coaches are on board with what they are doing. They are hardworking coaches. The tradition behind Wisconsin won't change at all. It's still a good program. A great program and still has the same head coach. It's a school that is going to keep winning.
"When you are a high school player and your brother goes to Wisconsin, it's something that you are going to look at . . . It's definitely a good thing to have a family member, somebody you look up to, to lead the way and let me know how the coach likes things."
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