Badgers Top Football Recruit Denied Admission

Wisconsin running back signee Jordan Stevenson (Dallas/South Oak Cliff) was denied admissions by the University of Wisconsin.

Badgers coach Paul Chryst and running backs coach John Settle both spoke to Stevenson this afternoon and informed him that Wisconsin's Chancellor denied the student-athlete admissions.

247Sports.com has confirmed this situation through a source on both ends.

Gary Andersen left Wisconsin for a variety of reasons, but one of them was he had trouble with the rigid athletic academic standards Wisconsin has in place. Athletic Director and Madison's Iron Throne leader Barry Alvarez will not budge on this topic as Wisconsin prides themselves on being a prestigious academic institution. Their biggest running back recruit Jordan Stevenson will not be a Badger due to these tough rules. This is a developing theme for the Badgers and a crucial roadblock to premier future success.



Stevenson's highlight reel is a fun watch. He's a short running back sitting at 5'8 and not really the prototype at Wisconsin for their backfield. Although Stevenson is the type of player who could have made an impact this season for the team. Stevenson has the speed where a home run play can be used with him. Now, he will try to find a new home late in the recruiting season. Wisconsin is praying to everything holy, it's not a Big Ten school like Ohio State who offered or any of the others.

Wisconsin could easily become a better version of Northwestern with the way this trending for their football team. Notre Dame struggles with it yet their resources are some of the best in college football therefore it's easier for them to work around this sort of thing. Wisconsin isn't having the same success. Many people will love the Badgers holding strong with their academics yet those same people will wonder why the team hasn't been back to the Rose Bowl and finished 7-6 for the last three straight years. Unfortunately, success comes with a price and are you willing to swallow your pride?

It's only going to get harder for the Badgers when Bo Ryan leaves basketball. While this hasn't been a problem on the hardwood, I feel like Ryan does a great job working around it, who knows if the new coach will be able to do the same. Basketball is a little easier given they only recruit 15 players, yet still, I can't imagine this is an easy thing to manage on a daily recruiting basis.

Right before Paul Chryst gets ready to run his first Badger practice, their top recruit will be looking elsewhere to play next season. Hopefully, it's not a bad omen.

Charlie.