DT Happy to be a Badger

Sandy Hook (Conn.) Newtown defensive tackle Dan Cascone jumped on his first DIA offer from the Wisconsin Badgers for many reasons.

"They recruited me harder than anyone," said the 6-foot-3, 305-pounder. "They came to Connecticut four times since they heard about me my sophomore year and UConn, which is right in my home state, only came twice. That really made me feel wanted by the Badgers, plus I liked the coaches and the program is loved out there. The town is all about football."

Cascone, who was named second team all-conference as a junior, chose the Badgers over interest from Iowa, Nebraska, Penn State, Syracuse and UConn.

"I guess they had heard about me through a source they have in Connecticut since the Anttaj Hawthorne (Hamden) commitment," he said. "Then I went out to camp this summer and went against Andrew Kemp, who committed to them awhile ago and he told the coaches I was good. It's a great fit for me."

Cascone had 52 tackles and six sacks as a junior. He could play defensive tackle or offensive guard for Wisconsin.

"They said I could play either, but they'd like me as a run-stuffing defensive tackle," he said. "Anttaj is the best defensive tackle in the country and Wendell Bryant was awesome there as well and a first-rounder. You can't beat that track record."