Wisconsin reeled in one of the two biggest fish on its recruiting board early on Saturday, just hours later it got even more good news. That’s because according to Badger247, Top247 safety Craig Watts gave his own verbal pledge to head coach Paul Chryst and Co.
The commitment came in the middle of Watts’ four-day visit to UW, where he was also participating in the two-day camp going on at Camp Randall stadium. Watt’s list of offers was nearly endless as he had over 40 at the time of his commitment.
He chose the Badgers over offers from the likes of Alabama, Ohio State, Florida State, Miami (FL), Michigan, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Penn State and on and on.
It appears that the hidden gem on Wisconsin’s coaching staff, defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, once again paid off in earning the commitment of Watts. The St. Petersburg (Fla.) Admiral Farragut Academy product had Aranda as his main recruiter, and that relationship appeared to seal the deal.
“He wants me to play strong safety, come in the spring, and start early,” Watts said, via our recruiting partners at Badger247. “He’s a great coach. I have a lot of trust in him.”
Watts’ film showcases exactly why Aranda and Co. see him as a strong safety in this defense. He has excellent range, hits hard and most importantly has a nose for getting to the football in the defensive backfield.
Just how big a deal is Watts’ commitment to the Badgers? He’s the first ever four-star rated prospect from the state of Florida to commit to Wisconsin — that’s how big.
Watts is the No. 242-ranked player by 247Sports and the No. 288-ranked player in the 247Sports composite rankings. He’s the No. 16 safety by the composite and the No. 41 player out of the state of Florida overall.
UW’s class continues to move up the rankings, as Watts is the third four-star prospect to pledge to the Badgers by the 247Sports composite rankings. Wisconsin now possesses the No. 26 class in the country and the No. 6 class in the Big Ten — jumping from the 40’s in national rankings and No. 11 in the Big Ten before the day started.
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