Two more emerging for Bredeson

Hartland (Wisc.) Arrowhead four-star offensive tackle Ben Bredeson has had Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Wisconsin at the top of his list for several months, but a pair of new offers from out-of-region schools has expanded his interests.

"It's those four because I've been out there and love it there," Bredeson said. "Then, the other two would be Alabama and Stanford because, respectively, that's the mecca of football and the mecca of education. Those six are definitely separating themselves from everyone else right now."

Bredeson landed the offers from Alabama and Stanford within a couple days of each other last month. His next priority is to schedule visits to their campuses.

"I am going to try to get out and see them," Bredeson said. "I don't know how easy that is going to be, but I am still learning more about them because we are building a relationship much later than (the other four). I was going to try to get to Alabama's spring game, but I don't have it figured out if I can make it yet."

Bredeson just finished his high school basketball season this past weekend and expects to explore spring visit destinations in the coming days. He made his most recent campus visit last month to Wisconsin for a junior day where he was able to spend time with the new Badger's staff.

"I was just there two weeks ago and went up for the Michigan State basketball game," Bredeson said. "I got to officially meet everybody in-person. Coach (Joe) Rudolph and Coach (Paul) Chryst had come to the school before so I had known them, but just to meet everybody else that is involved was huge. They are all great people and have a huge passion for Wisconsin because the majority went through there. I really liked them a lot because they just have a passion for the program."

Another of Bredeson's early favorites, Michigan, also went through a coaching change this winter and the Rivals100 prospect is starting to familiarize himself with Jim Harbaugh's new staff in Ann Arbor.

"Coach (Greg) Mattison, I was closest with him before everything with Coach Hoke went down. He stayed on the staff so he was my gateway in so it wasn't too much of a shock," Bredeson said. "I haven't met Coach Harbaugh in-person yet, but I have talked with him a few times on the phone and he seems like a great guy. He has been very respectful and answered all the questions I have."

Bredeson's older brother has signed to play baseball with Michigan and will be taking a trip to Ann Arbor sometime this spring, on which younger brother expects to tag along so he can meet the new staff in-person.

Notre Dame and Ohio State did not go through head coach changes this off-season, and the relationship Bredeson has with those schools remains strong.

"We talk usually weekly or every two weeks just to check in and see how things are going," Bredeson said. "Things are great there and I am pretty tight with Coach Hiestand (Notre Dame) and Coach Warinner (Ohio State). They didn't have any big coaching changes and it's just the usual with those two."

With new offers and new schools grabbing his interest, Bredeson has no expectations of a college decision in the near future.

"I don't want to be choosing on Signing Day because I don't think I could last that long," Bredeson said, "and I also want to help whatever school I go to and maybe affect some other kids to want to go there. In a perfect world I would want it to be done before the season or during the season, but I am going to try to take a few official visits."

The 6-foot-4, 280-pound Bredeson is ranked as the No. 41 overall prospect and the No. 3 offensive tackle in the 2016 class.