After watching Wisconsin win a Big Ten championship and compete in the Rose Bowl from their living rooms across the country this past season, 20 scholarship athletes and eight preferred walk-ons are now officially members of the Badger football family.

UW head coach Bret Bielema unveiled the incoming class of freshmen during a signing day press conference yesterday and he, along with the assistant coaches, spoke about each high school senior that accepted a scholarship offer to attend UW.

“We’ve gotten better every year at finding young men that come into our program and are a good fit for what we do here in the three areas I always talk about – academic, athletic and social atmosphere,” Bielema said.

“This group fits that.”

James Adeyanju – Defensive end, Chicago

With the loss of J.J. Watt to the National Football League, the Badgers are in need of some playmakers at the defensive end position, and the UW staff has some exciting prospects coming in who have the potential to develop into that role.

“Big, thick kid that really runs well,” Bielema said. “James is a guy that really projects well in the future.”

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound D-lineman had an impressive list of suitors, receiving offers from Nebraska and Michigan among others, according to Scout.com. D-line coach Charlie Partridge said Adeyanju could work his way into the fold in his first season.

Sam Arneson -Tight end, Merrill, Wis.

At 6-foot-4, 242 pounds, Arneson already has the build of a Big Ten tight end. Arneson has all the natural tools to continue to tight end tradition at UW, both as a blocker and in the passing game.

Ray Ball – Offensive lineman, Columbus, Ohio

Wisconsin never has a shortage of big linemen, but the Badgers dipped into Ohio to grab another mauler for the O-line. Ball is listed at 6-foot-7 and 330 pounds. According to Bielema, opponents aren’t going to have too much fun lining up across from him.

“Plays with a nice tenacity to him,” Bielema said. “He has a great demeanor off the field, but plays a little bit nasty on the field.”

Michael Caputo – Safety, Imperial, Pa.

Caputo broke his leg in the first quarter of the first game of his senior season, but the 6-foot-1 defensive back had already proved his worth to the UW staff. A relentless motor and physical mentality made Caputo a highly regarded prospect, with offers from Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State according to Scout.com.

Kenzel Doe – Wide receiver, Reidsville, N.C.

The Badgers wasted no time finding a replacement for kick returner David Gilreath. Doe, a 5-foot-8 wideout, has tremendous athleticism and Bielema expects to see the speedster competing for the spot from day one.

Terrance Floyd – Defensive back, Boynton Beach, Fla.

Floyd is a multi-dimensional player from the Sunshine State who scored a lot of touchdowns in high school, but he’ll line up at corner for the Badgers where his quickness should allow him to make an impact early in his career.

“Very shifty, very athletic,” Bielema said. “He’s a good competitor and a guy we’re excited to get in here.”

Jordan Fredrick – Linebacker, Madison

Bielema described Fredrick as an unknown due to his history playing corner, safety and linebacker in addition to his responsibilities on offense, but that’s not a bad thing by any means. Fredrick’s role on the team is up in the air, but his 6-foot-3 frame makes him a versatile option down the road.

Devin Gaulden – Defensive back, Miramar, Fla.

The UW staff has a rule that a recruit cannot commit to the Badgers unless he’s visited campus. Gaulden wasn’t an exception so he committed to Auburn despite wanting to become a Badger. But the UW staff wasn’t going to go away without a fight.

“Charlie [Partridge] stayed after him and he ended up opening his recruitment back up and we had a great opportunity at the end to get him,” Said Bielema.

Melvin Gordon – Running back, Kenosha

Gordon is one of the headliners of the 2011 class and he’s the only running back listed. The 6-foot back has blazing speed to go along with a tough running style between the tackles. He is a dynamic runner who can do it all and make defenders look foolish.

The Badgers reeled in Gordon after the stud tailback de-committed from Iowa, giving the UW staff a huge victory in a Big Ten recruiting battle.

“He came to the Ohio State game and saw the light and changed his mind,” Bielema said.

Jesse Hayes – Defensive end, Cincinnati

Florida State, Tennessee, Nebraska and Oregon all came after Hayes, but the highly-touted 6-foot-3, 225-pound defensive end felt comfortable with UW and the staff is delighted to have him.

“Heavily-recruited kid and we kind of just survived,” Bielema said. “He visited a lot of different schools… but it’s nice to have him in our family, and he and James [Adeyanju] are going to be a great fit for our defensive line.”

Darius Hillary – Defensive back, Cincinnati

Another Ohio product, Hillary can play multiple positions, but Bielema says he will start at the cornerback spot. Hillary is another athlete with great speed and he’s got some good bloodlines as his father used to play for the Cincinnati Bengals.

A.J. Jordan – Wide receiver, Dayton, Ohio

Clearly assistant coach Joe Rudolph, who recruits the state of Ohio, had a good year on the road. Jordan brings size and breakaway ability to the wide receiver position with his 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame and he’s regarded as one the better prospects in the class.

Jake Keefer – Linebacker, Woodville, Wis.

UW had just one recruit participate in a post-season all-star game and that man was Keefer, one of the Badgers’ first commitments in the 2011 class. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound linebacker represented Wisconsin in the U.S. Army All-American game and could make an impact immediately at the next level.

“He has nice explosion and plays the linebacker fundamentals very, very well,” Bielema said. “He was our only commit that played in the all-star game in San Antonio, and he did a great job.”

Derek Landisch – Linebacker, Nashotah, Wis.

Keefer isn’t the only linebacker coming in with high expectations. Landisch was a playmaker all throughout high school and his size, along with his jersey number (No. 44) have brought the comparisons to UW sophomore Chris Borland.

“He is going to remind you of someone, not only because of the jersey, but because of the way he plays,” Bielema said. “In camp we couldn’t block him. We are excited about him playing outside linebacker for us.”

Austin Maly – Tight end, Waunakee

Standing 6-feet-5-inches tall, Maly is a big target in the passing game. Some work in the strength program will help his development, and Bielema expects the tight end to redshirt next season.

Tyler Marz – Offensive lineman, Springfield, Minn.

It’s unusual to see just one commit from the state of Minnesota in the Badgers’ class, but that’s the case in 2011. Marz is the lone Minnesotan, but he’ll make his presence felt as another monster offensive tackle on the Badgers’ roster.

Eric Steffes – Tight end, Mount Cavalry, Wis.

Steffes is scheduled to have some off-season shoulder surgery, so the tight end wont join the program till January of next year. However the prospect is another versatile athlete who can help in a variety of areas.

Austin Traylor – Tight end, Columbus, Ohio

When Bielema visited with Traylor the tight end prospect showed him a video of him winning a slam-dunk contest. In other words, the 6-foot-4, 215-pound prospect is a pretty impressive athlete. Traylor was recruited as a wide receiver or defensive end by some schools, but the Badgers like him at H-back.

Derek Watt – Linebacker, Pewaukee

That last name now carries a lot of weight here in Madison. Watt is the younger brother of J.J. but the staff believes the 6-foot-3, 220-pound linebacker, who at one point was a Northwestern commit, can make a name for himself in a Badger uniform.

“He’s the number two brother of three,” Bielema said with a smile. “So hopefully we can keep riding that wave.”

Fred Willis, Jr. – Wide receiver, Milwaukee

Flat out fast. That’s the best way to describe Willis.

“He came into camp and we knew he was a fast kid coming, but he ran one of the fastest times we’ve ever had,” Bielema said.

Willis will start as wide receiver but his rare speed could make him an option on the defensive side of the ball as well.