Bredeson identifies top Midwest contenders

Hartland (Wisc.) Arrowhead four-star junior offensive tackle Ben Bredeson has a 15-school offer list, and a timeline for when he wants to make his college decision.

"My goal is before my senior year," Bredeson said. "I want to be done before the football season, but I'm not going to rush it."

The No. 41 ranked prospect in the 2016 class, Bredeson has a quartet of schools in his home region that are strong contenders for his services.

"The four schools that stand out to me up here that I've seen are Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Wisconsin," Bredeson said. "I'm going to make some repeat (visits) there and narrow it down little by little."

Bredeson is interested in expanding his horizons, though, and evaluating some out-of-region schools before moving to a decision.

"I don't know about a bunch more visits, but definitely a few," he said. "I want to go down and see the South a little bit. Alabama and Clemson would be two that I would like to go see. I haven't talked to them a whole lot - a little bit, but nothing too serious."

The most recent visit Bredeson took was to the home-state Wisconsin Badgers for their Nov. 15 home game.

"It was the Nebraska game when Melvin (Gordon) broke the record and that was a good game to be at because everyone was going crazy," Bredeson said. "It was fun to be there and good to talk with the coaching staff and spend some time with some of the guys that I know.

"Things are going really well with them. I am comfortable up there and I like it."

The 6-foot-4, 280-pound Bredeson also liked what he saw out of the Badger's offensive line when Gordon broke the NCAA single game rushing record.

"I watched them and they were making some big holes, but Melvin's good," Bredeson said. "He said it himself - he credits the o-line and when you watch the game they were blowing everyone out of the way. It was good to watch, especially from a lineman's standpoint, and being able to appreciate the little things like that."

Bredeson grew up a Wisconsin fan and has many natural connections to the home state school. A connection with Michigan developed just in the last few months when his older brother signed a letter of intent to play baseball in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines are going through a coaching transition, but remain on his radar.

"I am watching that pretty close because Michigan was a top school for me from the get-go," Bredeson said. "I fell in love with that place as soon as I stepped on campus. It's not just the coaches; it's the school, the tradition and the environment that is there. So, I'm watching that to see who they hire and then go and see if I like the new coach and re-evaluate."

Bredeson is currently playing center on Arrowhead's basketball team. He just finished a 10-4 season and state runners-up finish on the football field, after which he earned first team all-state honors.