Sun-Times’ All-Area running back Titus Booker of Grayslake North saw recruting interest shoot through the roof after his senior season. Booker, projected to play defensive back at the collegiate level, comitted to Wisconsin in the fall.
But after Badgers coach Gary Andersen left for Oregon State, Booker opened up his options back up. The Scout.com four-star prospect took an official visit to Iowa and was slated to visit Michigan on Saturday before making his final decision on signing day.
On Friday, Booker canceled his trip to Michigan, and will remain a Badger — because his heart is in Madison.
“I appreciate all the extra attention from Michigan and their interest in me as an athele and a person, too,” Booker said. “But I feel like Wisconsin is where my heart is at. So I didn’t want to drag anything along, because my mind was made up.
“And I had to do what was best for me and my family and they told me that I should go where my heart is. And if that was made up that I shouldn’t be dragging anything along.”
The 6-foot, 180-pound athlete felt a loyalty to a school that helped shape him over time.
“I think it was just where my heart was at, there was a lot of hype at the end of the day, but it isn‘t about that,” Booker said. “Wisconsin has been recruiting me since my junior year, they have been behind me and getting on me. They were one of the schools that helped me focus on my grades. They helped build me into who I am today. They checked in with me, and even with the new staff there are some guys who are still there and it is a similar feel. I think it’s overall just Wisconsin is where I need to be.”
On the field as a senior, Booker amassed nearly 2,000 yards on the season, averaging 10.7 yards a carry and scoring 27 touchdowns. He will sign his letter of intent with Wisconsin on signing day this Wednesday.
