Jon Budmayr had a chance to play for Notre Dame's current football god, Charlie Weis. Ironically, it was "a lot of prayer" that led him to commit instead to the University of Wisconsin.

The three-year starting quarterback from Marian Central Catholic School in Woodstock, Ill. "” a PrepStar Dream Team All-American "” verbally committed to the Badgers during a visit to Madison this past Saturday. He is the fourth member of the class of 2009, and can sign his letter of intent next February.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Budmayr, who reportedly caught interest from more than 50 schools, had narrowed his short list to include Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Illinois, Northwestern, Nebraska, all offering, plus Iowa, Iowa State and Michigan State.

Part of the allure of Wisconsin surely was a chance to play for offensive coordinator Paul Chryst, a superb offensive coach who appears to be headed for a head coaching job.

Budmayr comes from an outstanding Catholic prep school and plays in one of the better leagues in the country. He sees and reads the field extremely well. He is very bright, in the classroom (3.6 grade-point average) and on the gridiron.

Budmayr, whose primary recruiter was Randall McCray, was impressed by Wisconsin's offer, which was his first. His decision boiled down to "a lot of prayer and hard decisions." But, in the end, "everything pointed to Wisconsin." He added that it "is a perfect fit," in the classroom and in football.

On Wisconsin's end, why Budmayr? Last season he competed 133 of 216 passes "” nearly 62 percent "” for 2,013 yards, despite missing five games with a hamstring injury. His gaudy ratio of 15 touchdowns to one interception caught the attention of recruiters across the country.

Those numbers speak to his accuracy, the ability to see and read the field well, superior decision-making ability, and a thorough understanding of the game. That's why Wisconsin and Notre Dame wanted him.

Three other players have verbally committed for 2009 "” in-state linemen Ryan Groy of Middleton, Jordan Kohout of Waupun and Shelby Harris of Mequon Homestead. All are All-Americans or Dream Team All-Americans, PrepStar's highest rating.

Phil Fritz is a Senior Editor for PrepStar Magazine