The first night game in nearly three years served as a major recruiting weekend, and it has yielded major dividends for the Badgers already. After getting a commitment on Sunday, our recruiting partners at Badger247 are reporting Wisconsin has a major commitment on its hands.
It comes in the form of 4-star defensive tackle Garrett Rand. According to the report, head coach Paul Chryst and the staff were notified of his commitment around 1p.m. CT. Rand comes to the Badgers after his official visit, and has family ties to the state (his mother was born here and has family in Stevens Point).
However, he is from Chandler, Ariz. and UW apparently beat out finalists Arizona State and Washington for his commitment. The 6-3, 275-pound defensive tackle is ranked as the No. 44 player overall in the class by 247Sports and is the No. 131-ranked player in the 247Sports composite rankings. He’s also the No. 14-ranked defensive tackle and the No. 3-ranked player in the state of Arizona.
Joining Rand on the trip last weekend from Arizona were the brother duo of 2016 quarterback commit Karé Lyles and 2017 guard recruit Kayden Lyles.
Wisconsin now has vaulted itself in to some rare territory, with Rand and offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen both being Top 50 recruits in the 247Sports rankings. It’s the first time that feat has been accomplished in the same class by the Badgers.
UW also has a trio of Top247 players in this class, with running back Antonio Williams joining them. According to Badger247, that is the first time it has happened since 2012 (Bart Houston, Vince Biegel, Dan Voltz).
The U.S. Army All-American becomes commit No. 20 for the Badgers, and Wisconsin is now the No. 24-ranked class in the country, along with the No. 5-ranked class in the Big Ten.
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