MADISON - The first early signing period for football, as expected, went smoothly for Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst and his staff.
Nineteen players gave UW oral commitments for the 2018 freshman class and by mid-morning every player had sent in his signed national letter of intent.
Four of the scholarship signees – DE Boyd Dietzen (Kimberly), OLB C.J. Goetz (Catholic Memorial), OLB Mason Platter (Menomonie) and TE Cormac Sampson (Eau Claire Memorial) – are from Wisconsin.
The Badgers have also added seven preferred walk-ons, six of whom are from Wisconsin.
Here's a live rundown from Wisconsin on its early signees, along with the bios below provided by the Badgers.
SCHOLARSHIP PLAYERS
A.J. Abbott, WR, 6-2, 187, Northville (MI): Three-star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals … led West Bloomfield to Michigan Division 1 state championship game as a senior … switched positions to quarterback as a senior and threw for 1,200 yards and eight touchdowns, helping team collect conference and regional titles … played at Northville as a sophomore and junior, earning all-area and All-Kensington Conference both seasons … scored 24 touchdowns and rolled up 2,928 total yards overall in high school… recorded 986 receiving yards and scored nine touchdowns as a sophomore, helping Northville to conference title … racked up 742 receiving yards and seven touchdowns as a junior … also competed in track and field, twice qualifying for state meet in the long jump … also medaled in indoor long jump … coach was Ronald Bellamy. Personal: Parents are Krystal and Anthony Abbott … father competed in track and field at Eastern Michigan … sister Symone Abbott plays volleyball for Northwestern … sister Chloe Abbott competes on Purdue’s track and field team.
Travian Blaylock, CB, 6-0, 180, Humble (Texas): Three-star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals … earned all-area and all-conference honors as a junior and sophomore … recorded 149 tackles, seven TFLs, five interceptions and three forced fumbles overall … finished with 30 tackles, three interceptions and 10 pass breakups as a senior … racked up 84 tackles, including four for loss, and 12 pass breakups as a junior … had 35 tackles, three for loss, four pass breakups, one interception and three forced fumbles as a sophomore … also competed in track and field, finishing second at the Class 6A state championships in the triple jump as a junior (49 feet 7 1/4 inches) … coach was Craig Stump. Personal: Parents are Derrick and Kristen Blaylock … father played in the NFL for the Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets from 2001 to 2007.
Donte Burton, CB, 6-0, 175, Loganville (GA): Four-star recruit by ESPN … three-star recruit by 247 Sports and Rivals … earned first-team all-state, all-region and all-county honors as a senior … also received all-county and all-region recognition his junior and sophomore years … recorded 127 tackles, eight interceptions, two forced fumbles and 423 total return yards at Loganville… finished with 28 tackles, three interceptions and one touchdown return as a senior … racked up 34 tackles and three interceptions as a junior … compiled 38 tackles as a sophomore … recorded 27 tackles and three interceptions as a freshman … also lettered in track and field … coach was Mike Humphreys. Personal: Father is Dexter Burton … father played football at Georgia from 1993-94 … enjoys listening to music, working out and woodworking.
Aron Cruickshank, ATH, 5-11, 158, Brooklyn (N.Y.): Four-star recruit by ESPN … three-star recruit by 247 Sports and Rivals … helped lead team to the New York City PSAL championship game in back-to-back seasons, winning the title as a junior … named all-city as a junior … finished with 24 touchdowns and 1,009 rushing yards as a junior … also competed in track and field … four-year academic honor roll student … coach was Danny Landberg. Personal: Parents are Bernadette O’Connor and Mervyn Moore … mother competed in track and field at Grambling State … sister Loraine Cruickshank competed in track and field at Grambling State.
Boyd Dietzen, DE, 6-4, 245, Kimberly HS: Three-star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals … member of four consecutive Wisconsin Division 1 state championship teams, going 56-0 in four seasons … named state Defensive Player of the Year as a senior by Wisconsin Football Coaches Association … winner of the Tim Krumrie Award as state’s top senior defensive lineman … first-team all-state by WFCA and Associated Press as a senior … unanimous first-team All-Fox Valley Association as a junior and senior … finished with 10 sacks, 20 tackles for loss and 70 total tackles as a senior … racked up 56 tackles, including 18 sacks and 28 tackles for loss, as a junior … switched to defense as a sophomore and recorded 45 tackles, including six sacks and 10 tackles for loss … also a standout track and field athlete, winning state title in discus as a junior … all-state in track as a sophomore, junior and senior … set school records in shot put (63-8) and discus (192-2) … also lettered two years in hockey … scholar-athlete … coach was Steve Jones. Personal: Parents are Boyd and Kelli Dietzen … cousin Jon Dietzen is offensive lineman for the Badgers.
Jaylan Franklin, TE, 6-5, 210, Brownstown (MI): Three-star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals … honorable mention all-state as a senior … named to the all-state West Team as a senior … named all-region and all-district as a sophomore, junior and senior … recorded 1,504 passing yards, 888 rushing yards, 145 receiving yards and 33 total touchdowns in three years on the varsity … Also played defense and finished with 60 tackles, including six sacks, and two touchdowns … as a senior, threw for 630 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushed for 340 yards and six TDs … passed for 669 yards and nine touchdowns and rushed for 394 yards and four TDs as a junior … had 205 passing yards, 145 receiving yards and 154 rushing yards as a sophomore … two-year team captain… all-state in track and field as a junior, finishing seventh in 300-meter hurdles (39.44) … as a freshman, combined with brother Marvin D. Franklin to set a school record in the 1,600 relay … also lettered in baseball … coach was Jack Giarmo. Personal: Parents are Marvin L. Franklin and Pam Bracy-Franklin … father competed in track and field at Eastern Michigan from 1987-'88 … mother played basketball, softball and tennis at Kentucky State from 1989-'93 … brother Marvin D. Franklin plays football at Austin Peay.
Michael Furtney, OG, 6-5, 290 Milan (MI): Three-star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals … named first-team all-state and all-region as a junior and senior … three-time first-team All-Huron League selection … recorded total of 282 tackles and 13 sacks for Milan … racked up 100 tackles, six sacks and 75 receiving yards as a senior … finished with 92 tackles and four sacks as a junior … had 90 tackles and three sacks as a sophomore … also lettered in basketball and track … honor roll student with a 4.0 cumulative GPA … National Honor Society … coach was Jesse Hoskins. Personal: Parents are Matt and Ellen Furtney.
C.J. Goetz, OLB, 6-4, 230, Catholic Memorial HS: Three-star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals … first-team all-state by Associated Press and Wisconsin Football Coaches Association as a junior and senior … recipient of John Anderson Award as state’s top senior linebacker … led Catholic Memorial to Wisconsin Division 3 state championship as a junior, earning player of the game honors with eight tackles, two sacks and two pass breakups … recorded 16 sacks, 68 tackles for loss, 386 total tackles, seven forced fumbles and five interceptions on the varsity … finished with nine sacks, 26 tackles for loss, 150 total tackles, four forced fumbles and two interceptions as a senior … recorded six sacks, 20 tackles for loss, 120 total tackles, three forced fumbles and two interceptions as a junior … Had one sack, 22 tackles for loss, 116 total tackles, and one interception as a sophomore … two-year team captain … also earned a varsity letter in basketball, baseball and track … honor roll student … coach was Bill Young. Personal: Parents are Chad and Jenny Goetz.
Isaac Guerendo, ATH, 6-1, 195, Clayton (IND): Three-star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals … received Indiana Mr. Football position award as state’s top wide receiver as a senior … four-year all-conference pick … caught 54 passes for 1,258 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior, helping Avon to regional title … had 596 receiving yards and seven touchdowns as a junior … played at Cascade as a sophomore and recorded four interceptions … state champion in the long jump as a junior, with a personal-best leap of 24-5 1/4 … also finished third in 100 meters (personal best 10.68), fifth in 200 meters (21.74) and runner-up as part of Avon’s 400 relay (41.20) at Indiana state meet as a junior … also lettered in basketball … coach was Mike Bless. Personal: Parents are Jen and Mario Guerendo.
Isaiah Mullens, DE, 6-6, 280, Columbus (Ohio): Three-star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals … named All-Ohio as a senior and junior … recognized as the top defensive lineman in Mid-State League as a senior … four-year all-conference selection … finished with seven tackles for loss, 56 total tackles and six pass breakups as a senior … recorded 27 tackles for loss and 54 total tackles as a junior… had 14 tackles for loss and 57 total tackles as a sophomore … had 32 tackles, including 10 for loss, as a freshman … also caught 42 passes, 19 for touchdowns, in four seasons … two-year team captain … four-year honor roll student … coach was Ron Bellamy. Personal: Parents are Charlotte Thomas-Frazier and Larry Frazier and Donald Mullens, Jr.
Taj Mustapha, WR, 6-2, 195, Southfield (MI): Three-star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals … first-team all-state by Associated Press as a senior … named to Dream Team by Detroit News and Detroit Free Press as a senior … honorable mention all-state as a junior and sophomore … two-time All-Oakland Activities Association pick … recorded 2,445 receiving yards, 310 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns during three years on the varsity …had 985 receiving yards and eight touchdowns as a senior … recorded 980 receiving yards, 220 rushing yards and 11 TDs as a junior… had 480 receiving yards and six TDs as a sophomore … named team captain as a senior … two-time team MVP … also lettered in basketball and baseball … earned all-state honorable mention in baseball as a sophomore … Dean’s list student … coach was Ron Bellamy. Personal: Parents are Taj Mustapha Sr. and Christina Malone … father played running back at Northwood University.
Reggie Pearson, S, 5-11, 190, Inkster (MI): Three-star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals … first-team all-state by Associated Press honors as a junior and senior … Detroit News All-State Dream Team as a junior and senior … helped lead team to Michigan Division 5 state championship game as a sophomore … part of three straight regional titles as sophomore, junior and senior … team won four straight district crowns … four-time first-team All-Michigan Metro Athletic Conference selection … finished with 21 interceptions … recorded seven tackles for loss, 100 total tackles, eight interceptions and two forced fumbles as a senior … had 120 tackles, seven interceptions, nine pass breakups and three forced fumbles as a junior … recorded six tackles for loss, 77 total tackles, two interceptions, nine pass breakups and four forced fumbles as a sophomore … recorded five tackles for loss, 58 total tackles, four interceptions and six pass breakups as a freshman … also lettered in track and field … National Honor Society … coach was Corey Parker. Personal: Parents are Reginald Pearson Sr. and Nicole Pearson.
Mason Platter, OLB, 6-5, 225, Menomonie HS: Three-star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals … named first-team all-state by Wisconsin Football Coaches Association as a senior … honorable mention all-state by Associated Press … finalist for John Anderson Award given to state’s top senior linebacker … first-team All-Big Rivers Conference and all-region as a senior … second-team All-Big Rivers as a junior … finished with 27 sacks and 23 forced fumbles at Menomonie … had 13 sacks and 12 forced fumbles as a senior … recorded 14 sacks and 11 forced fumbles as a junior … also lettered in hockey and track and field … three-year academic honor roll student … coach was Joe Labuda. Personal: Parents are Mike and Sheri Platter.
Cormac Sampson, TE, 6-5, 240 Eau Claire Memorial HS: Three-star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals … first-team all-state at tight end and honorable mention all-state at defensive end by Wisconsin Football Coaches Association as a senior … honorable mention all-state by Associated Press as a senior … WFCA all-region and All-Big Rivers Conference as a junior and senior … finished with 16 sacks, 28 tackles for loss, 95 total tackles, four forced fumbles and one interception … as a senior, finished with 10 receptions for 156 yards and one touchdown on offense and 10 sacks, 56 tackles and three forced fumbles on defense … had three catches for 35 yards and one touchdown, six sacks, 39 tackles and one interception as a junior … Academic All-State … National Honor Society … also lettered in basketball, averaging 14.9 points and 9.2 rebounds per game as a junior … regional and sectional qualifier in track and field, competing in shot put and discus … coach was Mike Sinz. Personal: Parents are Dave Sampson and Paulette Sampson … father played football at Augustana College (South Dakota).
Jack Sanborn, ILB, 6-2, 225, Deer Park (IL): Four-star recruit by 247 Sports and Rivals … three-star recruit by ESPN … first-team all-state by Illinois High School Football Coaches Association as a junior and senior … all-area as a junior and senior … All-North Suburban Conference as a sophomore, junior and senior … led Lake Zurich to Class 7A state championship game and 13-1 record as a senior … finished with 296 tackles, including 13 sacks … had three sacks and 120 total tackles as a senior … recorded three sacks and 80 tackles as a junior … recorded seven sacks and 88 total tackles as a sophomore … two-year team captain … coach was Luke Mertens. Personal: Parents are Malinda and the late Paul Sanborn … father played football at Oregon from 1980-'82.
Alex Smith, CB, 6-1, 180, Culver City (CA): Three-star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals … helped lead team to state semifinals as a senior … second-team All-Ocean League as a junior … a two-way player, finished with 24 total touchdowns and nine interceptions … As a senior, recorded 49 tackles and three interceptions and scored nine total touchdowns … recorded 64 tackles, five touchdowns and one interception as a junior … Was named team MVP as a sophomore after recording eight touchdowns and one interception … had four interceptions and two touchdowns as a freshman … two-year team captain … also lettered in baseball and track and field … four-year honor roll student … three-time scholar athlete … coach was Jahmal Wright. Personal: Parents are Quintella and Samuel Smith … godbrother Akili Smith played football at Oregon and for six seasons in the NFL.
Nakia Watson, RB, 6-0, 226, Austin (Texas): Three-star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals … helped lead team to state semifinals as a senior … named first-team all-state as a senior…first-team All-Central Texas and first-team all-district honors as a junior and senior … honorable mention all-state by Associated Press as a junior … Rushed 560 times for 3,719 yards (6.6-yard average) and 51 touchdowns in three seasons on the varsity … also finished with 35 receptions for 463 yards and six touchdowns … Rushed 268 times for 1,938 yards (7.2-yard average) and 27 touchdowns as a senior. Rushed for at least 100 yards in 11 games. Also recorded 18 receptions for 327 yards and six touchdowns … rushed 246 times for 1,648 yards (6.4-yard average) and 22 touchdowns as a junior. Also caught 14 passes for 123 yards … Recorded 133 rushing yards and two touchdowns as a sophomore at Manor High School … also lettered in powerlifting and track and field … coach was Todd Dodge. Personal: Mother is DeSeria Ross.
Bryson Williams, NT, 6-2, 295, Lincoln (NE): Three-star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals … named first-team all-state as a junior and senior … honorable mention all-state as a sophomore … earned Super-State honors from Lincoln Journal Star as a senior and second-team Super-State laurels as a junior … three-time first-team All-City selection … finished with 195 total tackles, including sacks 7 1/2 sacks, in three seasons on the varsity ... had three sacks and 77 tackles as a senior. Also rushed for four touchdowns … notched 3 1/2 sacks, 58 total tackles and two pass breakups as a junior … had 60 tackles as a sophomore … as a junior, claimed Class A state championship in shot put (54-5) after setting best of 55-5 1/2 while winning district title … also lettered in basketball … finalist for Lincoln Journal Star multi-sport athlete of the year … six-time Academic All-State selection … four-year honor roll student … finalist for the US Bank Believers and Achievers Award … coach was Ryan Gottula. Personal: Parents are Liz Seitz and Daniel English.
Chase Wolf, QB, 6-2, 207, Loveland (Ohio): Three-star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals … part of Ohio Division I state championship team as a junior … helped lead team to a state regional final appearance as a senior … first-team All-Ohio as a senior … Greater Catholic League South Player of the Year and Southwest District Offensive Player of the Year as a senior … finished senior season with 2,532 passing yards and 27 touchdown passes. Also rushed for four touchdowns ... threw for 1,391 yards and 16 touchdowns and rushed for three more scores as a junior … team captain as a senior … maintains a 4.0 GPA … also lettered in basketball … coach was Steve Specht. Personal: Parents are Steve and Jeanne Wolf … father played basketball at NC State and Xavier … sister, Sabrina Wolf, plays volleyball at Cincinnati … grandfather Charley Wolf played football, basketball and baseball at Notre Dame, played pro baseball with the Cincinnati Reds and was coach of Cincinnati Royals and Detroit Pistons in the NBA … has 11 other relatives who have played college sports.
PREFERRED WALK-ONS
Nate Carter, QB, 6-5, 195, Wauankee HS: Led Warriors to Wisconsin Division 2 state championship as a senior … named all-region by Wisconsin Football Coaches Association and all-area as a senior … Badger Conference South Offensive Player of the Year as a senior … first-team All-Badger Conference as a senior and junior … Completed 61% of his passes for 3,823 yards and 38 touchdowns at Waunakee. Also rushed for four touchdowns ...completed 63% of his passes for 2,240 yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior … as a junior, completed 58% of his passes for 1,532 yards and 11 touchdowns … Academic All-State by WFCA … National Honor Society … four-year honor roll student … also lettered in basketball … coach was Pat Rice. Personal: Parents are Dan and Michelle Carter … father played football at UW-Stevens Point.
John Chenal, ILB, 6-3, 235, Grantsburg HS: First-team all-state by Wisconsin Football Coaches Association and Associated Press as a senior … first-team All-Lakeland Conference as a sophomore, junior and senior … finished career with 494 tackles, including 24 for loss, and 17 interceptions. Scored three defensive touchdowns … Played on offense and finished with 4,578 rushing yards and 65 touchdowns and 1,013 receiving yards and eight touchdowns ... recorded 117 tackles, four interceptions and three forced fumbles as a senior. Also rushed for 2,287 yards and 35 touchdowns and caught 24 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns … recorded eight tackles for loss, 103 total tackles, six interceptions and three forced fumbles as a junior. Also rushed for 1,317 yards and 16 touchdowns … had 174 tackles, five interceptions and three forced fumbles as a sophomore. Also rushed for 972 yards and 13 TDs … Played on the varsity as a freshman and recorded three interceptions and 100 tackles … three-year team captain … four-year honor roll student … first-team all-conference in basketball as a sophomore … also lettered in track and field… coach was Adam Hale. Personal: Parents are David and Brenda Chenal … uncle Ken Chenal played football at St. Cloud State.
Jack Eschenbach, TE, 6-6, 210, Downers Grove (IL): Helped lead Benet Academy state semifinal appearances as a junior and senior … named All-East Suburban Catholic Conference as a senior … finished with 76 receptions for 1,197 yards and seven touchdowns … had 44 receptions for 711 yards and five touchdowns as a senior … had 32 catches for 486 yards and two touchdowns as a junior … four-year honor roll student … National Honor Society … also lettered in basketball … coach was Pat New. Personal: Parents are Peter and Katie Eschenbach … father played basketball at Washington University.
Mike Gregoire, ATH, 5-1, 176, Notre Dame Academy: Named offensive MVP of team as a senior … honorable mention all-conference as a senior … as a senior, recorded 1,051 rushing yards, 528 receiving yards and 22 total touchdowns … four-year honor roll student … also lettered in hockey … coach was Mike Rader. Personal: Parents are Todd and Cindy Gregoire … father played football at Wisconsin from 1984-'87 and holds UW records for field goals (65) and field-goal attempts (85) … cousin Allie Woodward competed in track and cross country at Oregon and Wisconsin.
Andrew Lyons, OT, 6-5, 290, Kenosha Bradford HS: Finalist for the Joe Thomas Award given to state’s top senior offensive lineman … first-team all-state by Wisconsin Football Coaches Association and Associated Press as a senior… first-team All-Southeast Conference as a junior and senior … SEC Lineman of the Year as a senior … two-year team captain … WFCA Academic All-State as a senior … Southeast Conference Merit Award … four-year honor roll student… National Honor Society … also lettered in track and field … coach was Matt Rizzo. Personal: Parents are Pete and Michelle Lyons.
Brady Schipper, RB, 6-0, 190, Stoughton HS: Finalist for Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch Award presented to state’s top senior running back ... honorable mention all-state by Wisconsin Football Coaches Association and Associated Press as a senior … first-team All-Badger Conference South as a senior … second-team all-conference as a junior and sophomore … Played three seasons on the varsity and finished with 3,975 rushing yards and 40 touchdowns. Averaged 7.2 yards per carry … recorded 1,975 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior and added 176 receiving yards and two touchdowns … also had a kickoff return touchdown … finished with 771 rushing yards and seven touchdowns as a junior … had 1,229 rushing yards and eight touchdowns as a sophomore … two-year team captain … also lettered in basketball and baseball, earning second-team all-conference honors in both sports … high honor roll student … coach was Dan Prahl. Personal: Parents are Rob and Stephanie Schipper … father played basketball at UW-Platteville from 1988-'93.
Marty Strey, OLB, 6-3, 205, Sun Prairie HS: Helped team reach Wisconsin Division 1 championship game as a senior … finalist for John Anderson Award presented to state’s top senior linebacker… first-team all-state by Wisconsin Football Coaches Association as a junior and senior … first-team all-state as a senior and honorable mention all-state as a junior by Associated Press … Big Eight Conference Linebacker of the Year and first-team all-conference as a junior and senior … Played three seasons on the varsity and finished with 20 1/2 sacks, 48 tackles for loss and. 247 total tackles. Also had five forced fumbles, four interceptions, seven pass breakups and two defensive touchdowns … recorded 20 tackles for loss and 93 total tackles as a senior. Had two defensive touchdowns … recorded 22 tackles for loss, 72 total tackles and three forced fumbles as a junior … had six tackles for loss, 82 total tackles and two interceptions as a sophomore … two-year team captain … also lettered in basketball … WFCA Academic All-State … four-year honor roll student … National Honor Society … coach was Brian Kaminski. Personal: Parents are Erica and Jeff Strey … father played football at UW-Whitewater … mother Erica (Handelman) Strey played soccer at Wisconsin from 1990-93 … aunt Cathy (Strey) Hartjoy played soccer at Wisconsin from 1994-'97.