<![CDATA[Wisconsin is clearly not afraid to go hard after the targets they deem worthy of an offer, and that's becoming more and more evident as time goes on under head coach Gary Andersen. However, perhaps the biggest change of all is that the Badgers are going harder than ever before after sophomore prospects.
To date, Wisconsin has offered 39 prospects in the class of 2016—all of that before the Badgers have their annual summer camps. So, while most of the attention this summer will be on who will commit from the 2015 class, we're going to get a jump on getting to know the offers Wisconsin has already handed out.
Over the next few days we'll profile the offers that seem to be coming in on a near daily basis. Let's profile the offers UW has made at quarterback.
[table id=4 /]Early on it's clear that Wisconsin isn't going to be afraid to scour the country or swing for the fences in recruiting at quarterback. UW has one 5-star offer and two offers to 4-star players, with only Dwayne Haskins not being ranked to date. Let's break down each of the four quarterbacks a bit.
Jarrett Guarantano (4-star)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2HeMfFyv7s
He recently spoke about the offers out to him, and the schools that came up the most amongst his 14 offers were Ohio State, Rutgers and Clemson. Alabama, Auburn and Duke are also high up on his list according to that interview (which took place before Wisconsin’s offer).
According to the 247Sports Crystal Ball, Ohio State is the team to beat. It’s something that Guarantano mentioned himself when talking to 247Sports’ Bill Kuerlic of Bucknuts.com.
One can see why Guarantano will be a tough pull for the Badgers, because he’s perhaps one of the most skilled passers for his class in the country. He’s also got great size for a sophomore and UW will be lucky to get him on campus, let alone get his commitment.
On the positive side, Guarantano comes from Bergen Catholic and Wisconsin has a certain quarterback named Tanner McEvoy out of that program already on the roster. While Guarantano appears to be a very popular option and one Wisconsin is on the outside looking in at, don’t completely write them off just yet.
Dwayne Haskins (NR)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eiiNz54tI8
Watching the tape on Haskins is a great example of just what Wisconsin would like to be running at quarterback. A lot more of the shotgun, spread-style with a power running game. It’s easy to see why Wisconsin pulled the trigger with an offer to him.
Haskins is a name that is blowing up in a big way on the recruiting and camp circuit. He was recently named the MVP of the Washington, D.C. Elite 11 camp, and one look at his performance in the pressure situations shows why he was an easy choice for the honor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_auwr_z3q-U
Looking at his overall highlights, it’s clear that Haskins is a pretty good pocket passer already. He’s got some good zip on the ball and is very accurate with leading receivers. However, he does have some things to work on—including shortening up his delivery and shortening up his stride under center. Good news is that the basics of everything are already there and it’s just about polishing the little things for him.
As for Wisconsin’s chances? Well, just like every other offer, Ohio State is “extremely high” on the list for each recruit. The good news is that only one of the six offered players will be able to say yes to the offer. Between Guarantano and Haskins, I like the tape a bit better on Haskins and he’s got the experience advantage on Guarantano early on, going 9-1 with 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns passing as a sophomore at The Bullis School.
Brandon McIlwain (4-star)
McIlwain is listed as a dual-threat quarterback by 247Sports and it’s easy to see why, because compared to the likes of Haskins and Guarantano he’s got some work to do in the footwork and mechanics department. However, he’s a pure playmaker and that’s something you can’t teach.
Additionally, McIlwain has a very strong arm, which can be helped by some good teaching going forward. He competed in the same Elite 11 regional as Haskins did, and it’s clear that teaching there helped him immensely, via his pressure chamber video:
What will be interesting to see is how serious a challenge Wisconsin can put up in the state of Pennsylvania, given James Franklin’s presence in the state and his dominance on the recruiting trail in 2015 already. McIlwain has to be considered a strong lean towards Penn State going forward, but Wisconsin only offered less than 10 days ago and there is a long way to go.
Malik Henry (5-star)
This is the one swing for the fence moment for the Badgers, who are going to have a massive fight on their hands for Henry. He’s the No. 1-ranked dual-threat quarterback in the country according to the 247Sports composite rankings and he’s got offers from the home-state schools of UCLA and USC already.
At 6’3″, 180 pounds, Henry has room to grow in terms of weight and it should come with his body simply maturing. However, a quick look at his tape from the Elite 11 camp in Los Angeles in January shows a quarterback with a good command of the fundamentals of the passing game and some elite athletic ability as well.
All that’s really left to say is WOW…this guy’s sophomore highlight tape is just ridiculously AMAZING. Enjoy:
Who becomes a Badger (in order of likelihood):
1. Dwayne Haskins
2. Brandon McIllwain
3. Malik Henry
4. Jarrett Guarantano
— Ultimately the Badgers 2016 quarterback may not be on this list at all, but Haskins could be the one that has the best chance of any of them. Haskins seems to have his commitment the most open of all the quarterbacks, and depending on what happens with Guarantano and Ohio State too. If OSU can’t take Haskins, look for the Badgers to be a good player in his recruitment. However, given the offers UW has thrown out already, look for this to be a long-term recruiting process, and don’t expect the QB to be the first commitment of the class like Kafentzis was in the 2015 cycle.]]>
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