As a young coach, Bret Bielema didn't want to be known as a recruiter.

The University of Wisconsin football coach thought it was more important to his career to be known for his coaching. So he wasn't happy one day at Iowa, as the linebackers coach, when someone slipped a newspaper article extolling his virtues as a recruiter into his locker.

"My coach at the time (Hayden Fry) basically said, 'All young coaches, when they recruit, are recognized as that, until you become a coordinator and you get your chance to move on and have success.' ''

So, Bielema hesitated, ever so slightly, before going on to praise the recruiting virtues of two of his assistant coaches, defensive line coach Charlie Partridge and tight ends coach Joe Rudolph.

Partridge and Rudolph are in their second year on Bielema's staff and both have made an impact as recruiters.

On more than one occasion recently, Bielema has expressed his excitement about the young talent in the program, specifically the past two recruiting classes.

Two true freshmen who have made a big impact recently are linebacker Chris Borland and defensive end David Gilbert. Borland was recruited by Rudolph, Gilbert by Partridge.

"I've got nine (assistant) coaches. I've got some coaches that I need to put together game plans, Paul Chryst and Dave Doeren," Bielema said of the offensive and defensive coordinators, respectively. "And then the other seven guys have got to contribute in their own way.

"It's (the) Kentucky Derby theory to coaching. You can't win the race if you don't have the right horse. If we don't have the right horses in this program ... we wouldn't have success over time, and definitely wouldn't be able to put together a consistent approach."

While Partridge and Rudolph have been valuable additions, the staff began to hone its approach with the 2008 class, which was Bielema's third.

Bielema took over recruiting after being named Barry Alvarez's successor before the 2005 season. So, while the '06 recruiting class was Bielema's first, he didn't have his own assistants until 2007.

"Your first class is always a scramble," Doeren said. "I don't care where you're at. You're just trying to get what you can get. The second class (2008), I felt like there were some pretty key parts in that class. After that, we had a really good idea where we were going."

'Guys that work their tails off'

The headliner in the 2007 class was defensive lineman Tyler Westphal from Menasha, who has been slowed by back problems. Still, the Badgers have gotten big contributions from six members of that class who have started a majority of the games this season: guard Kevin Zeitler, center Peter Konz, defensive tackle Dan Moore (a junior college transfer who is a senior), linebacker Mike Taylor and cornerbacks Devin Smith and Antonio Fenelus.

The player who could push that class over the top if he continues to progress is backup quarterback Curt Phillips. Other members in the two-deep include punter Brad Nortman, tight end Jake Byrne, center-guard Jake Current, strong safety Kevin Claxton and free safety Shelton Johnson.

In the past two years, the Badgers have hit on a high percentage of their top targets. They also made a philosophical switch to bring in as many recruits as possible for official visits during the season, rather than waiting until December.

"I remember my first year (2006), we didn't bring anybody in (during the season)," offensive line coach Bob Bostad said. "I don't know at what point in time we said, 'Really, this is our best sell, Saturday at Camp Randall is the best thing we've got to offer.' ''

A big part of hitting a high percentage is targeting the right players. UW coaches pay special attention to how a recruit will fit in with the team.

"When you first get into a program, you do like you always do, you go try to find the best player," Doeren said. "It doesn't mean that's the best player for Wisconsin. After being here for a while, I think all of us have realized what that means. It starts in state and then it extends to guys that fit with our in-state players."

That means tough players, with strong work ethics and high character.

"I think you're always trying to find guys that are great team guys, guys that work their tails off, guys that are going to be better tomorrow than they are today," Rudolph said.

Freshmen earn their time

While it's early, the current freshmen have the look of something special. Borland has been a demon on special teams and as a third-down pass rusher. He moved seamlessly into a starting role last week against Purdue after a season-ending knee injury to Taylor.

Gilbert has been a major contributor on special teams and blocked a punt against Purdue. Frederick was forced to start the first two games due to injuries. Montee Ball has become the backup tailback and Kraig Appleton has worked his way into the receiver rotation and had his first two catches last week.

While Bielema has never shown an aversion to playing true freshmen, the guys on the field this year have mostly earned their way there, instead of being thrown into the fire because there was no one else. Ball and Appleton, two of the highest-ranked members of the class, were brought along slowly.

"The stronger your program gets, the more you can do that," Chryst said.

One thing that hasn't changed is the recruiting rankings. Bielema's 2006 class averaged 2.7 stars (out of five) and was ranked No. 42 nationally by Rivals.com. The '07 class averaged 3.06 stars and ranked No. 34 (Bielema's highest).

The 2008 class was at 2.83 and No. 41, while the '09 class was at 3 and No. 43.

Adding two top recruiters to the mix in Partridge and Rudolph means the Badgers should continue to get a good portion of the players they target. Whether that is reflected in the rankings shouldn't matter.

"I read a great quote from Lou Holtz," Bielema said of the former Notre Dame coach. "It said, 'Pregame prayers always go better when you've got better players.' It's probably lots of truth to be said to that. Game plans work better when you have better players, and they execute them better."

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