The Wisconsin football team struggled mightily at times on offense due to numerous injuries and lack of depth. Despite those concerns, however, the Badgers will bring in just eight offensive players on scholarship for the 2016 season.
Meet the newest offensive weapons at head coach Paul Chryst’s disposal:
Quarterbacks (1)
Karé Lyles ★ ★ ★
Highlights: New #Badgers QB Kare’ Lyles #NSD2016 https://t.co/1TmjWcbCv0
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) February 3, 2016
Lyles led his high school team to back-to-back state championships his junior and senior years of high school, and embodies a pro-style quarterback that is well-suited for Chryst’s offense. He threw for 3,561 yards and 47 touchdowns in his final season.
Running backs (1)
Sam Brodner ★ ★ ★ ★
Highlights: New #Badgers RB Sam Brodner #NSD2016 https://t.co/sgBn3LYxAe — Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) February 3, 2016
Brodner was named Gatorade Illinois Player of the Year in his final high school seasons and first-team all-state as both a junior and senior. Brodner was a late addition to the 2016 class, and given the depth UW currently has at the running back position, he will more than likely redshirt his freshman season.
Wide receivers (3)
Quintez Cephus ★ ★ ★
Highlights: New #Badgers WR Quintez Cephus #NSD2016 https://t.co/aJ254sLZRE
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) February 3, 2016
Cephus was named first-team all-state as a senior after recording 42 receptions for 872 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also served as a defensive back in high school — logging six interceptions last season — but is expected to just play on offense at Wisconsin.
Kendrick Pryor ★ ★ ★
Highlights: New #Badgers WR/CB Kendric Pryor #NSD2016 https://t.co/vGkxcxj6Bm — Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) February 3, 2016
Pryor is another player who played on both sides of the ball in high school, but was dominantly a standout wide receiver. He had 43 receptions for 1,152 yards and 12 touchdowns in his senior season. Given his versatility, Pryor is listed as the top-ranked athlete in Illinois, according to Scout.com
A.J. Taylor ★ ★ ★
Highlights: New #Badgers WR AJ Taylor #NSD2016 https://t.co/5F6WKBH6Vn
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) February 3, 2016
Taylor has great speed, having recorded a 40-yard dash time of 4.5 seconds, according to Scout.com. Serving as a running back in high school, he finished his senior season with 2,560 all-purpose yards and 22 total touchdowns, with 338 yards and five touchdowns coming as a receiver.
Tight ends (1)
Jake Hescock ★ ★ ★
Highlights: New #Badgers TE Jake Hescock #NSD2016 https://t.co/lEojGRGuBf — Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) February 3, 2016
Hescock poses great size for a tight end and was ranked as the No. 2 tight end in Connecticut and 44th in the nation, according to Scout.com. He recorded 23 catches for 249 yards and two touchdowns as a senior.
Offensive line (2)
Cole Van Lanen ★ ★ ★ ★
Highlights: New #Badgers OL Cole Van Lanen #NSD2016 https://t.co/sDQKdQvYAg
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) February 3, 2016
Van Lanen is arguably the Badgers’ most prized recruit of the class. He is the No. 1 offensive tackle in Wisconsin and fifth in the nation, according to Scout.com. Van Lanen also received an invite to the 2016 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
Patrick Kasl ★ ★ ★
Highlights: New #Badgers OL Patrick Kasl #NSD2016 https://t.co/tvnNR7d4sU — Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) February 3, 2016
Kasl is listed as the No. 1 offensive tackle in Minnesota, according to Scout.com, and was named first-team all-state by the Associated Press his senior year. He also was credited with more than 50 pancake blocks in his final high school season.
