Four-star running back Jordan Stevenson was denied admission by Wisconsin and will be released from his Letter of Intent, reports 247Sports' Ryan Bartow.

The loss cannot be understated for Wisconsin, as the Dallas (South Oak Cliff) rusher was Wisconsin's top running back commit for 2015. Reports of potential academic issues had persisted on message boards over the past several months, but in June, head coach Paul Chryst said he expected Stevenson to join the Badgers in the fall and be ready to possibly compete for playing time as a freshman.

The Badgers are now left with three-star Birmingham, Ala., rusher Bradrick Shaw at running back in the 2015 recruiting class.

Of course, the immediate impact isn't significant for Wisconsin: Corey Clement is entrenched as the starter and widely expected to follow in Melvin Gordon's footsteps as the next great Wisconsin running back. Redshirt freshman Taiwan Deal and converted cornerback Dare Ogunbowale are expected to be next in line behind Clement, and they hold immense talent themselves. Still, the loss of a four-star recruit -- the nation's No. 17 running back according to 247Sports' composite rankings -- undoubtedly stings.

Stevenson confirmed the reports on Twitter Thursday night.

#Badgernation Thanks for all the love also all the support through all I have been through much love — Jordanstevenson (@Jordanstevie2) July 24, 2015

With all do respect My recruitment is Offical open to any Division One program for the 2015 season.... — Jordanstevenson (@Jordanstevie2) July 24, 2015

Bartow's report said Stevenson spoke with Chryst and running backs coach John Settle Thursday afternoon, at which point they informed Stevenson he had been denied admission. The 5'8, 210-pound running back will officially be released from Wisconsin on Friday, at which point he will able to sign with a new school since he is a NCAA qualifier.

Stevenson, who committed to Wisconsin over the winter in the height of the hysteria prompted by Gary Andersen's surprise decision to leave for Oregon State, chose the Badgers over scholarship offers from Oklahoma State, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisville, Ohio State, SMU, Texas, UCLA and Utah State.

Again, this loss hurts on the recruiting front, especially considering the continual inroads Wisconsin has made recruiting in Texas. But the Badgers do have depth at the position -- as always. And in B5Q's Badgers running backs preview published on Tuesday, Jim Dayton reminded us that Settle said in the spring that he did not expect Stevenson to compete for the No. 2 running back position. As a result, Jim named Deal his x-factor for the position.It's hard to determine a true X-factor for this position.