BY MIKE LUCAS
UWBadgers.com Senior Writer
MADISON, Wis. — When tailback Chris James took his recruiting visit to the University of Pittsburgh, his campus host was Rachid Ibrahim, a freshman running back.
"I was a senior in high school, 17 years old and didn't know anything then," said James, a 4-star prospect out of Chicago's Notre Dame Prep. "He (Ibrahim) sold me on whatever Pittsburgh was."
Pitt was home for two years for James, who transferred to UW where he has been reunited with head coach Paul Chryst, offensive coordinator Joe Rudolph and running backs coach John Settle.
The irony? When Ibrahim, a graduate transfer, took his recruiting visit to the University of Wisconsin last spring, his campus host was James, who will be eligible this season for the Badgers.
"It's a small world," said Ibrahim, who's from Rockville, Maryland.
"I'm definitely happy to have him here," said James.
Chryst sounded just as happy Friday about Ibrahim's presence on the roster.
"When we were recruiting him, we were recruiting him as a defensive back (at Pitt)," Chryst said. "We had a situation where we were really thin at running back and asked him to flip over.
"He has got a great football IQ. He got back into the terminology (of the offense) rather quickly. He's a sharp kid. He might be able to fill a void that we may have, particularly as a third-down back."
Ibrahim (6-foot, 195 pounds) is anxious to help wherever needed.
"I've ended up with the guys who brought me to Pitt," he said of Chryst, Rudolph and Settle. "I'm obviously familiar with what they're doing offensively just by the fact I've been in that system."
Ibrahim was a prolific high school running back. At the Avalon School, he rushed for over 200 yards seven times, including 370 against Riverdale Baptist and 298 against Model.
In the latter, he accounted for 50 points on eight touchdowns and a two-point conversion. But he competed at a small school and had to make a transition to the next level, college football.
In 2013, Ibrahim saw action in 13 games as a true freshman at Pitt. In limited playing time, he had 27 carries for 136 yards. He also had nine catches and returned some kickoffs late in the year.
As a sophomore, he got on the field a little bit more (33 carries for 263 yards). But he then missed the entire 2015 season after tearing his Achilles tendon. It was a non-contact injury.
Last year, Ibrahim was limited to special teams. He had 13 tackles and three kickoff returns. He emphasized that he liked the Pittsburgh coaching staff and had a lot of friends on campus.
"But I decided it was time to move on from Pitt," said Ibrahim. "I graduated early (with a degree in communications) and started looking for new opportunities.
"I had never been to Madison. And I never thought I'd be here. But God works in mysterious ways and I'm here and I'm happy to be here."
James offered this scouting report on Ibrahim: "He's like a jack-of-all-trades. He's agile and can catch the ball. He's extremely athletic. I'm excited to see what he can do. He's definitely my bro."
The respect is mutual. "He's like a little brother," Ibrahim said. "I'm glad to be back with him."
Although the Badgers must replace Corey Clement and Dare Ogunbowale in their tailback rotation, they have options in James, Bradrick Shaw, Taiwan Deal, Ibrahim and Jonathan Taylor.
"This group is just getting better and better," James said, "and I love that because it's going to push us every single day. I love competition. I see it as an opportunity to be better myself.
"I think we're all fully capable of helping this team win."
NOTE TO QUOTE
Last spring, linebacker Chris Orr switched from jersey No. 50 to No. 54 to honor his older brother Zach, who announced his retirement from the NFL and the Baltimore Ravens because of a congenital spine and neck condition. But the 25-year-old Orr, a second-team All-Pro selection, has gotten some second opinions and plans on playing again this season. "That's the plan right now, I know he has been meeting with a lot of teams," said Chris, who will continue to wear No. 54. "He got a few more opinions and if that's what is going to make him happy, we're happy for him." Orr is happy for the chance to get back on the field after missing last season with a knee injury sustained in the opener against LSU. "It's going to be a different Chris Orr," he promised, "a better Chris Orr."
O-LINE SHUFFLE
The Badgers will open training camp with a retooled look on the offensive line. Michael Deiter, who has 27 career starts at center and guard, will be at left tackle opposite right tackle Dave Edwards. The guards will be Beau Benzschawel and Jon Dietzen. Tyler Biadasz will be the center.
"It's really nothing more than we're trying to get the best five guys out there," said Rudolph, who coaches the O-line. "Tyler has done a lot to push himself into that opportunity. He has shown a maturity — from his performance to his approach — and he makes this possible."
Biadasz (6-3, 316) is a redshirt freshman from Amherst, Wisconsin.
"Tyler hit the ground running from the jump," Rudolph said. "From the moment he got here, he wanted to be held accountable; he wanted to learn things. We threw him in at center and our defense isn't an easy defense to identify and make calls and adjustments. But he wanted that on him.
"I don't know if there's a guy who wants it more."
Deiter got some valuable reps at tackle during spring practice.
"Ram did such a great job playing that position last year," Rudolph said of Ryan Ramczyk, a No. 1 pick of the New Orleans Saints. "Michael Deiter is pretty unique. You won't find many guys who have the ability to move to different positions as consistently as he does.
"It will be a little new for him. But he's mature in the weight room and has great strength. He really handled things well at the end of spring ball. I also like the idea of strengthening the communication across the group."
Edwards started seven games at right tackle, replacing the injured Jacob Maxwell. He played left tackle in the spring. "I thought it would be good for David to get that (exposure)," Rudolph said. "But it's a pretty good combination to get him and Beau together on the right. I like the familiarity they have."
Last spring, he also liked what he saw out of freshman Patrick Kasl at right tackle. "If you're talking about that (recruiting) class," said Rudolph, including lineman Cole Van Lanen with Biadasz and Kasl, "those three guys have come in here and put themselves in a good position (to contribute)."
Meanwhile, Rudolph expects Micah Kapoi to push Dietzen at left guard. "This is as good of a summer as Micah has had; I'm excited about him," Rudolph said. "I think there's competition across this group for the first time and because of that, it will drive this group to be better."
When Deiter is playing left tackle, Rudolph indicated that Brett Connors could possibly solidify a spot at No. 2 center behind Biadasz. "I hate to move a guy during a game," Rudolph said. "If we had a long stretch, it's probably the way I would go. Guys have true opportunities to earn some roles."
Deiter will also work at center during training camp.
"The competition," Rudolph enthused, "will be real."
QUOTE TO NOTE
Chryst on his rule of thumb for recruiting and accepting transfers: "We have to feel confident they're going to be a really good fit with the team and that there's a place for them … there has to be that opportunity (to play). That's what I've loved about Nick (Nelson, a cornerback who transferred from Hawaii) and certainly Chris (James) and Rachid (Ibrahim), who hasn't had as much time here yet. But I think they will be really good fits with this group of players that we have right now."
