Yesterday we reported on two players, one from each of the 2013 and 2014 classes, signing with Wisconsin and late last night their was confirmation of another 2013 verbal commitment.  This one came from in-state DE prospect Chikwe Obasih.  That puts the Badgers over the half way mark towards their expected 2013 class.

He joins fellow in-state commits Austin Ramesh (ATH) and T.J. Watt (ATH) as well as LB Garrett Dooley (Rochester, IL) and WR Rob Wheelwright (Columbus, OH) as the five known commitments to the Badgers 2013 class.  Wisconsin is only expected to use about 9 scholarships on this class.  

Chikwe confirmed his commitment to the Badgers via Twitter late last night, saying: 

Sorry for the wait....But I proud to say that in 2013, I'm going to be part of the Wisconsin Bagers!#OnWisconsinBaby

— Chikwe Obasih (@Big_Cheeks34) April 30, 2012

Chikwe Obasih Profile/Rankings: 

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 240lbs.

Hometown/HS: Brookfield, WI/Brookfield Central

Rankings:

- 247Sports: 4* (90 grade), NR nationally, 14th at WDE, 1st in Wisconsin

- Rivals: 4* (5.8 rivals rating), NR nationally, 22nd at DE, NR in Wisconsin

- Scout: 3*, 36th DE nationally

- ESPN: no stars, NR at all

Thoughts: He may not be the biggest of guys as of yet, but if he can put on 20 to 25 more pounds then we have a very fast, agile, and strong defensive end at the collegiate level.  For a high school player he has a very good feel for the flow of the game and flow of plays.  The one area I see him needing to work on the most is getting better leverage and better use of his hands.  However, those are things that are easily teachable, especially early on at the collegiate level.  There's no denying he's got raw talent and athleticism, something that will really be needed for the Badgers defensive line in the future.  Don't underestimate the importance of his signing with Wisconsin, he could be one of the most important players in the 2013 class when all is said and done.

Check out his Junior Season highlight video here: 

Championship Sports Covered: Tennis, Golf
Regular-Season Sports Covered: Softball, Openweight Rowing, Track & Field

Tennis
The Badgers weren't able to get past No. 53 Indiana for a second time this season, as they were shut out by the Hoosiers, 4-0, in the first round of the 2012 Big Ten Women's Tennis Tournament on Thursday.

Four games, including the match at No. 2 doubles, went unfinished as IU was able to win the dual at No. 3 singles. Wisconsin finishes its season 12-12 overall and 3-9 in the Big Ten.

The Badgers lose four seniors, including second team All-Big Ten honoree Alaina Trgovich, to graduation. Despite that, they also return five starters, including freshmen Sarah Loebel and Nova Patel, who both had exceptional rookie season for Wisconsin. 

Sophomore Nicky Stracar received the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award for UW, as announced during the tournament banquet on Thursday.

Golf
Wisconsin finished ninth at the 2012 Big Ten Women's Golf Championships, which ended Sunday at the Donald Ross Golf Course in French Lick, Ind. 

The Badgers shot 64-over par (318-303-307=928) overall after shooting +19 during the final round on Sunday. 

Senior and Madison native Jessie Gerry led Wisconsin by shooting +16 (78-76-78=232), good for a tie for 28th overall. Junior Lindsay Danielson wasn't far behind, finishing in a tie for 36th with +19 (78-80-77=235). 

Freshman Aaren Ziegler, redshirt freshman Kimberly Dinh, and sophomore Alexis Nelson all finished at a tie for 40th place at +20, while sophomore Kris Yoo finished just outside of the top 50 overall at +22, good for a tie for 51st place.

The annual spring game is usually a chance for the younger guys to shine, but there's also a side that most forget about and that's the recruitment of players.  Wisconsin played host to some major recruiting targets yesterday and as of today they've already landed one verbal commitment from each of the 2013 and 2014 classes.  

That 2013 commitment came from Wide Receiver Rob Wheelwright.  He was offered by Wisconsin very early in the process, in fact they were his first offer, and when it was all said and done he held offers from at least six Big Ten programs including Michigan and Nebraska.  The Columbus, OH native also received some attention from the hometown Buckeyes, but he chose the Badgers after visiting this past weekend.  

Wisconsin also received it's very first 2014 commitment as George Panos announced it via twitter shortly before the Badgers spring game on Saturday.  

I'm gonna be a Badger #livingthedream #OnWisconsin

— Georgie Panos (@Georgie_Panos) April 28, 2012

He received his offer during the Spring game and committed right there.  If the name sounds familiar to you it should, he's the son of former Badger standout offensive lineman Joe Panos, who was a captain on the 1994 Rose Bowl team and went on to a seven year NFL career.  What we do know is he's been a starter on the Arrowhead football team from the very beginning and is coached by his Badger legend of a father Joe.

So, with that let's break down the commit of Wheelwright a bit more, as Panos' is so early on in the process that the rankings of the 2014 class haven't even been made yet by the various recruiting services out there.

What is Rob like?  We've had the chance to speak with him a few times over the past year and he's a very engaging and fun guy.  He's also a very focused person and Wisconsin is getting a very good player that is under the radar in my opinion.  (I know, shocking that a Badger recruit is underrated, right?)

As I always say, let's see if he passes the eye test, so let's give you his profile as well as his video from this past season, shall we?

Rob Wheelwright Profile: 

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 175lbs. 

Hometown/HS: Columbus, OH/Walnut Ridge

Commit Date: 4/28/2012 (verbal after Spring Game)

Rankings:

247Sports - 3*, NR nationally, 59th WR, 25th Ohio

Rivals - 3*, NR nationally, 39th WR, NR in Ohio

Scout - 4*, 21st WR nationally

ESPN - 3*, 49th WR nationally

Watching his video from sophomore year to last season it's clear that he's working hard on improving his route running, but there's still room for improvement there and that will come from coaching and more time playing the position.  It's clear he can take coaching and work from there and that's what a lot of Wisconsin recruits are known for.  He's also one of the shiftiest WR's I've seen commit to the Badgers in some time.  He's got moves that we haven't really seen from most of our WR commits in the past under Bielema.  

Here's the video of his Junior season for your viewing pleasure:

Wisconsin continues to send banner amounts of talent to the NFL.  Last year it ws 12 players picked and/or signed as undrafted free agents out of college.  That was the most the Badgers had produced in one season in their history.  It was also the most out of any college in the country last year (I'm smelling a great trivia question to pull on all those Meechigan & O$U fans).  All of that was correct until this season as 13 former Badgers were picked (6) or signed as undrafted free agents (7 UFA's).  Here is the list of players and where they are heading:

Kevin Zeitler, G, - Cincinnati Bengals, 1st round, 27th overall 

Peter Konz, C/G - Atlanta Falcons, 2nd round, 55th overall 

Russell Wilson, QB - Seattle Seahawks, 3rd round, 75th overall 

Nick Toon, WR - New Orleans Saints, 4th round, 122nd overall 

Bradie Ewing, FB - Atlanta Falcons, 5th round, 157th overall 

Brad Nortman, P - Carolina Panthers, 6th round, 207th overall 

Aaron Henry, S - Oakland Raiders, UFA 

Jake Byrne, TE - New Orleans Saints, UFA 

Patrick Butrym, DT - San Francisco 49ers, UFA 

Louis Nzegwu, DE - Atlanta Falcons, UFA 

Antonio Fenelus, CB - Indianapolis Colts, UFA 

Josh Oglesby, T - Washington Redskins, UFA *if he passes his physical

Kyle Wojta, LS - Chicago Bears, UFA

Good luck to all the former Badgers and... ON WISCONSIN!

(photo courtesy Ken Coppens/MadTown Badgers)

A blustery, cold, and damp day held the Badger faithful crowd to low numbers, but those that were in attendance for the annual spring game were treated to a lot of defense, inconsistent at best play from the wide receiver group, and a heavy dose of running back Melvin Gordon.  

He clearly was the star of the game offensively.  He had 159 yards rushing on 30 carries (5.3 avg) and 1TD to lead the Cardinal to a 21-10 win over the White in the annual spring game.

"(Running backs coach) Thomas (Hammock) and myself both wanted to see Melvin grind it out," said Head Coach Bret Bielema.  "That's one of the things he hasn't had to do and that's something I was happy to see today. He almost got stronger as the day went on, in my opinion. I was really excited to see him handle this whole game,"

Defensively the Cardinal group of Ethan Hemer, Pat Muldoon, Beau Allen, and Brendan Kelly simply over-matched the backup group of offensive linemen and at one point had three straight massive pressures on Brennan, but only Allen's actually counted as a sack since their was no-contact allowed on the QB's.

After the starting frount four linebacker Jake Keefer really stood out as he recorded 6 tackles (2nd on the team) and also 1 tackle-for-loss.  

As for the game itself, the first quarter of action was really all about the running backs.  Melvin Gordon broke off a few long ones and led the Cardinal to first downs.  His long run of the day, 27 yards, set up the only score in the quarter.  The Cardinal went up 7-0 on a pass from Joel Stave to Chase Hammond.  Hammond did a great job of fighting after the catch to stretch out for the TD.  The scoring drive was typical Wisconsin in it's 10 play, 63 yard, 5:38 fashion.

It was clear from the get go that Stave was separating himself from Joe Brennan and the day bore that out.  Stave finished 14-25 for 135 yards with 1TD and 1INT.  Brennan went 0-for-the 1st quarter on his way to a 2-11 day.  He had just 24 yards and didn't throw a touchdown or a pick.  

In the second frame of action there wasn't much more to report than the defense dominating play, until a time eating drive that began around the 6 minute mark of the quarter.  That drive ended in a Melvin Gordon TD, but was highlighted by a great catch by Kenzel Doe deep over the middle for 26 yards from Stave.  After that we saw a lot of Gordon, who punched it in from the two yard line to make the score 17-6.  

After another White drive that went no where the Cardinal had an opportunity to drive again, but three drops and a nice knock down on defense saw them stall out around midfield.  The score remained 17-6 as they headed to the half.

Coming out of the half the third quarter saw little action of note, other than a nice sideline throw from Joel Stave to Isiah Williams.  

The highlight of the 2nd half actually happened in between the 3rd and 4th quarters during the "rapid kicking" session.  Kicker Kyle French went 5 of 6 in the period, hitting all but his final attempt from 57 yards out in the period.  From there on the game provided little in the way of excitement of the offensive variety.  In fact the final score of 21-10 stood after the kicking session.

Check back with us tomorrow for more in-depth analysis of each side of the ball. 

Fullback Bradie Ewing was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Ewing joins teammate, center, Peter Konz who was selected by the Falcons in the second round last night.

In total, five Badgers have had their names called in the first five rounds of the draft.

Additional information will be posted when it becomes available.

Receiver Nick Toon was the first Badger taken on day three of the 2012 NFL Draft. He was selected in the fourth round by the New Orleans Saints with pick No. 122.

As always, be sure to check back for additional information on this developing story.

Russell Wilson grabbed the spotlight when he was picked by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

The move may have turned a few heads in the football world, but Wilson was far from surprised.

“I definitely knew they were a serious team,” said Wilson in an interview with ESPN. “I met with them several times, from the Senior Bowl, to the combine and I’ve talk to them over the phone a few times as well.”

Wilson enters an interesting quarterback situation in Seattle. The Seahawks recently signed former Packers’ backup Matt Flynn to a three-year deal, while 2011 acquisition Tavaris Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst will also do their best to figure into the mix once again this season.

The 2012 NFL season will present yet another chance for Wilson to prove himself in a new set of surroundings.  The west-coast style offense will be very similar to the offensive philosophies that he dealt with during his time at North Carolina State.

“It’s a great offense to be in, that west-coast style,” Wilson said. “I’m very, very familiar with it from playing at N.C. State. I believe I have a tremendous knowledge of it, but I want to know it all.”

Though his height has been a well-discussed issue throughout the course of the offseason, Wilson is not going to let it determine his future.

“My height doesn’t define my skillset,” Wilson said. “I believe that I have all the skills and I have to work at it every day. I know that I’m 5-11, but I have to play tall in the pocket.”

It’s worth noting that Wilson isn’t the first sub-six foot quarterback to take snaps for the Seahawks in recent memory. Former starter Seneca Wallace also measured just 5-11.

Seahawks' head coach Pete Carroll was excited about adding to Wilson to the roster.

“With Russell, this is such an incredible athlete that has had extraordinary historic success – done some things that people have never thought of doing before,” Carroll said. “The fact that he is also such an extraordinary kid, he can handle all the pressure he’s going to be under and all the scrutiny that he’s always had."

The impending addition of Wilson combined with John Moffitt and Chris Maragos makes three former Badgers on the Seahawks’ roster.

When it was all said and done, Peter Konz was, indeed, the first center picked in the 2012 NFL Draft. However, his selection at 55^th overall came as a bit of surprise.

Though he was selected later than projected, Konz still appears to have found a good home. Badgers’ head coach Bret Bielema mentioned in a tweet shortly after the news broke that he had received a phone call from the Falcons’ front office earlier in the day inquiring about Konz. Bielema tweeted that he “felt like they [Atlanta] wanted him pretty bad.”

Konz is the first Big 10 player drafted by Falcons’ General Manager Thomas Dimitroff in his five years with Atlanta.

Though Konz is expected to immediately compete for a starting position, it is not clear where he fits in the puzzle at this point.

“There’s no question about it, this is what our goal was,” Dimitroff said in reference to the chances of Konz competing for a spot.

Dimitroff also mentioned that he foresees his team taking advantage of the versatility that he sees in Konz.

Falcons’ digital content manager Jay Adams tweeted that, “Konz is projecting at guard for the Falcons. Thinking he’ll be a day 1 starter at RG.”

Regardless of which position he ends up playing, it was clear that the second –team All-American was thrilled to be selected.

“Being an NFL football player now, getting the opportunity is amazing,” Konz said in a teleconference with Atlanta media. “It doesn’t matter where I fell to because I love the team that picked me. I have nothing but great respect for the organization. Now I get to help be part of a winning tradition.”

He also expressed a willingness to do whatever his new team asked of him

“At Wisconsin they made sure I knew tackle, guard and center,” Konz said. “Any way I can help the team, that’s my responsibility.”

Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson was picked with the 77th overall pick by the Seattle Seahawks.

Though he was selected earlier than anticipated, it appears likely that he will serve as a backup to newly acquired starter Matt Flynn. 

Wilson is now the third Badger drafted in this year's draft. Check back later this evening for more information on Russell Wilson and the rest of the Badgers' who have been selected.