Bielema: Small class 'a blessing in disguise'

MADISON, Wis. As expected, the smallest recruiting class of any college football program among the top 100 classes nationally belonged to Wisconsin. But if you ask head coach Bret Bielema, perhaps that wasnt the worst circumstance in the world considering the Badgers depleted coaching staff over the past month.With any more recruits in the fold, Wisconsin likely wouldve lost a bunch because there simply werent enough coaches to stay in touch with everybody. "I think it was a blessing in disguise that it was a small class, Bielema said Wednesday on National Signing Day. "I do think if it would have been another 10 players that we had to keep track of, it wouldnt have been good.In total, Wisconsin added 12 scholarship players and seven walk-ons as members of the Class of 2012. No other program in the top 100 classes signed fewer than 15 recruits, according to Scout.com. The small numbers dropped Wisconsin to 62nd in the Scout.com rankings, one spot behind Toledo. Wisconsins class ranks 10th out of 12 in the Big Ten. Texas, Alabama, Ohio State and Michigan had the top four recruiting classes nationally.Bielema has dealt with an unusually high number of assistant coaching defections in the month since Wisconsin lost to Oregon in the Rose Bowl. Six of his nine assistants exited for other positions, which left Bielema scrambling both to hire new coaches and convince recruits to stay. He has since filled out his staff with five new assistants and has only the tight ends coaching position to fill. In the end, all but two commits remained firmly on Wisconsins side. Offensive lineman J.J. Denman switched his commitment to Rutgers, while four-star offensive lineman Kyle Dodson, from Cleveland Heights, Ohio, announced on Wednesday his decision to play at Ohio State."I think the things that went into it when Kyle reached out to us, he talked about staying close to home, Bielema said. "Hes a kid that lives with his grandmother and grandmother only. You cant fault a kid for that.It wasnt all bad news for the Badgers, however. Wisconsin filled the offensive line void with Jake Meador, a 6-foot-6, 320-pounder from Whiteland, Ind., who was the last player in the Badgers recruiting class to commit. Meador selected Wisconsin over Florida. Bielema said addressing needs on the offensive line was a major point of emphasis in this recruiting class, and the Badgers achieved their goal by signing three players on the line Meador, Walker Williams (Tacoma, Wash.) and Dan Voltz (Barrington, Ill.).Wisconsin lost three of its five starters on the offensive line from last years Rose Bowl team in Josh Oglesby, Kevin Zeitler and Peter Konz. Oglesby and Zeitler used up their eligibility, while Konz decided to leave for the NFL following his junior season.The 6-foot-4, 295-pound Voltz is one of three players in the 2012 recruiting class to have already enrolled in school at Wisconsin for the spring semester. He joined running back Vonte Jackson (Kenosha, Wis.) and cornerback Hugs Etienne (Plantation, Fla.) in enrolling early.Voltz said Wisconsins history of producing All-American offensive linemen was one of the main reasons he committed. "If you look back at the years how many All-American offensive linemen Wisconsin has had, and the way they develop offensive linemen, I think its better than any school in the country, Voltz said. "Ive had a chance to see that my first few weeks here. I get goose bumps thinking about it. I couldnt be more excited to be an offensive lineman here. I dont think theres a better school in the country.Jackson will join former Kenosha Bradford teammate Melvin Gordon in a loaded backfield that also includes Heisman Trophy finalist Montee Ball and backup James White. Jackson, who tore is ACL as a senior last season, isnt expected to play in the spring game and is a redshirt candidate."Im real hungry after missing my whole season last year, Jackson said. "Theres nothing like competing. It makes everyone better and it makes our whole backfield better. The doctors are real happy with me. Theres another guy, Nick Hill, who is a linebacker. Hes a month ahead of me, but I try to keep up with him and base my recovery off him.Etienne, a 5-11, 170-pounder, said the engineering program at Wisconsin appealed to him. So did the fact that two members of the Badgers secondary last year, Antonio Fenelus and Aaron Henry, have used up their eligibility. "The cornerback spot is open, Etienne said. "So its a time for competition. Im here trying to make it a better program. Its already a great program. I want to contribute and make it a better program and go to the Rose Bowl next season.Of the seven walk-ons, Bielema said Jack Russell, a 6-foot, 160-pound kicker from Waunakee, Wis., had the best opportunity to earn playing time right away. Kicker Phillip Welch has used up his eligibility, and Bielema said backup kicker Alec Lerner was no longer on the team.Follow Jesse Temple on Twitter.