Bredeson reacts to Andersens departure

Hartland Arrowhead junior offensive tackle Ben Bredeson is the highest ranked prospect to come out of Wisconsin since 2007, and the Badgers are one of his top schools.

Several hours after news broke that head coach Gary Andersen was leaving Wisconsin to take the open head coaching position at Oregon State, Bredeson gave his thoughts on the situation.

"I loved Coach Andersen and that staff," Bredeson said. "I wish nothing but the best for him at Oregon State and it's sad to see them go, but you've got to do what you've got to do and there's nothing wrong with that. I still have the greatest respect for him and nothing's changed with my appreciation toward what he's done for me."

Living just an hour from Wisconsin's Madison campus, Bredeson has grown up on Badger football and his interest in the program remains high in the wake of Andersen's departure.

"My love for Wisconsin is always going to be there," Bredeson said. "There's one team when you grow up here and there have been coaches that have come and gone before. That didn't change anything then, so I don't think anything is going to change now."

Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez is now tasked with finding Andersen's replacement, and Bredeson has faith that the former head coach of the Badgers is going to make a strong hire.

"I have no doubt he is going to find somebody," Bredeson said. "He's got the connections all over the country, he'll find somebody that will do a great job."

Earlier this week Bredeson listed Wisconsin along with Michigan, Notre Dame and Ohio State as the Midwest schools he has visited that stand out thus far in his recruitment. He updated how this coaching transition affects the Badgers in his recruitment.

"I love the program there and I love Coach Andersen," Bredeson said. "It's a shame I couldn't play for him because I could see myself playing for a guy like that, but nothing changes. I am definitely not putting them out of my top group. I still love the Badgers and am playing the waiting game now, seeing who they are going to hire."

The 6-foot-4, 280-pound Bredeson is ranked as the No. 41 player in the 2016 class. In the history of the Rivals.com rankings, only two players out of the state of Wisconsin have been ranked higher - Justin Ostrowski in the class of 2003 and Josh Oglesby in the class of 2007. Both went on to sign with the Badgers.