MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema kept his recruiting class small and easier to manage this season in light of six assistant coaches leaving for other jobs. But Bielema said he's still happy with the haul.

Bielema introduced a 12-player recruiting class Wednesday.

The Badgers saw six assistants leave after appearing in their second straight Rose Bowl last month.

Bielema says it was "a blessing in disguise" that it was a small 2012 class. Otherwise, with that high a turnover among coaches, some recruits may have chosen other programs.

One of the class's touted players is Bart Houston, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound quarterback out of De La Salle High School in Concord, Calif. Houston, a four-star recruit in some publications, led his team to a 39-1 record over three seasons as a starter.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)