Today, former Wisconsin four-star running back commit Jordan Stevenson announced on Twitter that he will be joining the Nebraska Cornhuskers’ football program. It was reported last week that Stevenson would not be enrolling at Wisconsin due to test scores. Stevenson, a 5’8″ and 185 pound speedster out of Dallas, TX, was expected to play right away and continue the success at Running Back U.
Wisconsin athletics have high academic standards, and unfortunately Stevenson did not meet those. Coincidentally, Barry Alvarez and Paul Chryst addressed the media at Big Ten Media Day in Chicago about Wisconsin’s academic standards for student athletes. Alvarez noted that he does want to edit some of the standards and appeals by 2016, which at this point seems necessary. But, Alvarez refused to make academic standards an excuse citing the football and men’s basketball programs success in recent years.
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Chryst addressing the media today.
Wisconsin fans would never want to miss out on talent for their athletic programs due to academic standards, but rules are rules. For example, it was rumored that Diamond Stone, a five-star basketball recruit out of Milwaukee, WI, had too low of test scores to be a part of Bo Ryan’s squad this year. Stone also chose a B1G program: Maryland. Hence, Alvarez is interested in re-evaluating the standards and appeal process for admission in order for his program to succeed, especially if some of the players being turned down are going to B1G rivals!
Nonetheless, the Badgers’ admission requirements should be applauded with the academic scandals at North Carolina and Texas having ongoing investigation. Badgers should be proud that their school’s academia are taken seriously even if you’re Frank Kaminsky, Corey Clement, or an average joe.
The Badgers will play the Huskers in Lincoln October 10 this season, and the two teams are expecting to compete for the B1G West crown. Stevenson figures to play right away for the Huskers, while Dare Ogunbowale (coincidentally Stone’s cousin) and Taiwan Deal will back up Clement in the Badger backfield.
P.S. How ironic is it that Stevenson spelled Nebraska wrong in his tweet?
Images via @JoshHarveyScout