Tag: 247Sports

Wisconsin coach named in 247Sports’ ‘Top 10 recruiters in the 2021 class’

247Sports senior writer Brad Crawford ranked the top 10 recruiters in the 2021 class yesterday and had Wisconsin special teams…

247Sports senior writer Brad Crawford ranked the top 10 recruiters in the 2021 class yesterday and had Wisconsin special teams coordinator and “ace-in-the-hole recruiter” Chris Haering No. 10 on his list.

Haering is in his sixth season in Madison and this recruiting period was the lead recruiter for five members of the Badgers’ 2021 class, two of whom being four-star offensive tackle J.P. Benzschawel and four-star safety Hunter Wohler.

The Badger coach is one of six Big Ten names on the list with No. 1, No. 3, No. 6 and No. 9 all part of the Ohio State Buckeyes’ top-notch recruiting effort.

Wisconsin currently has the No. 12-ranked 2021 class in the nation and No. 3 in the Big Ten, both the highest at this point in program history with more top names yet to announce their commitment decisions.

 

For everything Wisconsin recruiting and their class of 2021 check out the 2021 commitment tracker and follow @thebadgerswire on Twitter.

2021 quarterback commit now a four-star prospect after a 247Sports recruiting rankings update

247Sports updated their recruiting rankings today and in doing so bumped 2021 quarterback recruit Deacon Hill from a three-star…

247Sports updated their recruiting rankings today and in doing so bumped 2021 quarterback recruit Deacon Hill from a three-star prospect to a four-star.

Hill’s fourth star now gives the Badgers six Top247 prospects and seven four-stars in their 2021 class, a class that is lining up to be the best in program history and in the ballpark of top-10 in the nation.

247Sports director of scouting Barton Simmons weighed in on why Hill made such a big jump before even taking the field for his senior season.

“I love the upside with Deacon,” 247sports national director of scouting Barton Simmons explained. “He’s a big dude and he’s not going to run away from anybody, but he’s more athletic than you think in terms of his pocket movements and agility.

“He also looks like he has one of the strongest arms in this class. He can flick the ball downfield effortlessly regardless of conditions or base set-up. I think delivery is getting more and more important in today’s game and he can play with arm angles really effectively. He’s also a first-year starter with really strong athletic pedigree who seems to me to have a really high ceiling.

“There’s just a lot to like to me.”

Other players who received a bump in their rating include three-star defensive end Mike Jarvis and three-star running back Loyal Crawford, both players towards the bottom of the class in terms of each player’s national ranking but also guys on the rise as they prepare for their senior campaigns.

 

For everything class of 2021 and Wisconsin recruiting check out the 2021 commitment tracker and follow @thebadgerswire on Twitter.

 

BREAKING: 5 star OT JC Latham commits to Alabama

On Friday, 5 star OT JC Latham committed to Alabama over Ohio State and LSU. 

This is GREAT news for Alabama football! On Friday, 5 star OT JC Latham committed to Alabama over Ohio State and LSU.

Latham, a 5 star out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida is ranked as the nation’s No. 3 overall player, according to the Top247 Rankings.

Latham who is 6’6 and weighs 305 pounds is also ranked as the No. 5 offensive tackle and the No. 17 overall player in the country, according to 247Sports’ Composite Rankings.

Latham is Alabama’s 7th commitment of the 2021 class, and is Alabama’s first 5 star for the 2021 class.

Here is what 247Sports’ Charles Power has to say about Latham:

“Possesses a large, square frame with exceptional length. Owns long arms and big hands in addition to his considerable stature and has added some mass over the past year as he enters his senior season. Is ready-made from a size and bulk standpoint with little bad weight. Has a basketball background and has shown good change of direction in combine settings. Initially a defensive lineman, Latham has grown into an offensive tackle, making the transition after transferring to IMG. Showed well against top competition manning the left tackle spot as a junior in 2019. Flashes potential to become a dominant run blocker. Combines his supreme length with functional movement skills and athleticism as seen in his proficiency in getting to the second level. Shows advanced flexibility and plays with strong pad level, maintaining a leverage advantage against opposing defensive linemen. Embraces physicality and works to finish blocks once engaged. Also has the framework to develop into a strong pass blocker with length and reactive quickness within his pass set. Turned in some strong camp performances against top pass rushers early in 2020 prior to the Coronavirus shutdown. Still relatively green technically with limited experience as a full-time offensive lineman – which also points to a considerable upside. Will need to continue honing his technique as he gains more pivotal in-game reps. Projects as a multi-year starter at the Power 5 level with the upside to develop into a first-round NFL Draft selection.”

Latham is a HUGE pickup for the Crimson Tide!

Roll Tide Wire will keep you up to date on the very latest recruiting news!

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Notre Dame’s Talent is Title Caliber per Blue-Chip Ratio List

Extensive research has found Notre Dame can win a national title this year but also suggests it’d take a ton of luck.

If you’re like me you hear the word ratio and you immediately start to wonder who said something dumb on Twitter this time.  It’s probably a sign I need to delete that app from my phone sooner rather than later.

However, Bud Elliott has been doing his Blue-Chip Ratio project for years and released his 2020 version this week.  The research Elliott puts in finds the amount of elite talent, or four and five star recruits who are on the current rosters versus the three star or lesser talents that are also getting scholarships.

It’s worth noting that walk-on’s are not included.

These ratings provide both good news and bad news for Notre Dame fans.

The good?

Notre Dame makes the list, even if it is at twelfth.  The research essentially finds that if a team doesn’t make this list in the pre-season that they’ll have no chance at winning a national championship so clearly just getting on it is an important note.

However, further examination of the list and the numbers that go along with it tell the rest of the story and that’s that Notre Dame still has a ways to go in order to catch up to the truly elite.

54% of Notre Dame’s talent this year is of the four or five star caliber which might seem great and compared to the vast majority of college football it is.

However, when you see Alabama, Georgia and Ohio State all at 80% or above it really opens your eyes.

The biggest surprise to me is how Clemson is “just” seventh on this list and 20% behind Alabama and is significantly closer to being on Notre Dame’s level than on that of the Tide, Bulldogs or Buckeyes, at least on this list.

Texas checking in at four came as a surprise to me, too.  Maybe they are closer to taking over the Big 12 than we think?

So what does this all mean for Notre Dame?

Brian Kelly and the Irish could win a national championship but I wouldn’t hold your breath waiting this fall.  The Irish still have a long ways to go in order to close the depth issues they have compared to the best programs going right now, something Kelly has spoken on time and time again.

Notre Dame welcomes top running back target for virtual visit

Notre Dame has had tough luck recruiting the running back position in 2021 but are said to have had a productive virtual vist on Thursday.

Notre Dame has added some nice recruiting pieces in their 2021 class but are yet to land a commitment from a running back.

Logan Diggs is rated as a three-star running back from Metairie, Louisiana and currently holds 25 scholarship offers.  On Thursday he visited virtually with Notre Dame.

No commitment was made but the visit must have gone well considering Diggs decided to go with the ALL CAPS while typing “great”.

In all seriousness, it’s at least a step in the right direction.  For whatever it’s worth, 247Sports doesn’t seem to have Notre Dame as a real contender for Diggs as Arizona State, Arkansas, Michigan State, Oklahoma State and USC all receive the “warm” status in regards to his recruitment while Notre Dame gets hit with “cool”.  The Irish were later to the party than others, only having offered Diggs a scholarship on May 5.

Diggs is listed at 6-0, 195 pounds and ran for 924 yards on 165 carries at Archbishop Rummel in Louisiana last year, helping guide his team to a 13-0 record and a Louisiana Division I state championship.

Top Notre Dame target in no hurry to make commitment

Rocco Spindler is one of Notre Dames biggest remaining targets in the 21 recruiting class. He said Thursday a commitment wont happen soon.

If you follow the college football recruiting world at all, specifically Notre Dame’s recruiting efforts, you’re aware of the name Rocco Spindler.

Spindler is the son of former Detroit Lion and Pitt Panther, Marc Spindler who spent nine seasons in the NFL.  Spinder is also about as big of remaining target as Notre Dame has in it’s 2021 recruiting class.

The four-star offensive guard has Notre Dame listed as one of his finalists along with Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and LSU.  Spinder announced on Twitter on the morning of June 11 that he won’t be making a commitment anytime soon.

With the state of things we have no idea when visits will again be allowed to be made so it’s going to be a while before anyone gets an answer on Spindler’s ultimate destination.

For what it’s worth, the recruiting experts at 247Sports have it as a two horse race between Notre Dame and Michigan for the Clarkston, Michigan star guard.

247Sports ranks the best Wisconsin recruiting classes since 2002

247Sports’ Evan Flood published an article yesterday that ranked the Badgers’ best recruiting classes since the site started tracking…

247Sports’ Evan Flood published an article yesterday that ranked the Badgers’ best recruiting classes since the site started tracking class rankings in 2002.

It needs to be said, even though the class isn’t yet complete, that head coach Paul Chryst’s 2021 class is in line to be the best of them all. Now ranked No. 16 in the nation, the 2021 class is still set to several more highly-touted recruits and could rise close to top-10 for the first time in program history.

Nevertheless, here are his rankings.

 

Honorable Mentions

  • 2011: Melvin Gordon, Michael Caputo, Derek Watt
  • 2010: James White, Beau Allen, Rob Havenstein
  • 2007: John Clay, Josh Oglesby, Aaron Henry, Phil Welch, Nick Toon
  • 2002: John Stocco, Alex Lewis, Brandon Williams, Mark Zalewski, Joe Stellmacher

 

No. 10: 2004 (No. 36 in the nation)

  • Nick Hayden
  • Jack Ikegwuonu
  • Kraig Urbik
  • Chris Pressley
  • Taylor Mehlhaff

 

No. 9: 2003 (No. 31 in the nation)

  • Joe Thomas
  • Tyler Donovan
  • Kenneth DeBauche
  • Roderick Rodgers
  • Luke Swan

 

No. 8: 2017 (No. 39 in the nation)

  • Jonathan Taylor
  • Logan Bruss
  • Jake Ferguson
  • Tyler Beach
  • Jack Coan
  • Danny Davis
  • Scott Nelson
  • Faion Hicks
  • Kayden Lyles

 

No. 7: 2016 (No. 35 in the nation)

  • Cole Van Lanen
  • Garrett Rand
  • Isaiahh Loudermilk
  • Tyler Biadasz
  • Quintez Cephus
  • A.J. Taylor
  • Kendric Pryor
  • Noah Burks
  • Eric Burrell

 

No. 6: 2008 (No. 37 in the nation)

  • Ricky Wagner
  • Kevin Zeitler
  • Peter Konz
  • Marcus Cromartie
  • Brad Nortmond
  • Michael Taylor

 

No. 5: 2006 (No. 36 in the nation)

  • Lance Kendricks
  • Gabe Carimi
  • Scott Tolzien
  • Bill Nagy

 

No. 4: 2013 (No. 40 in the nation)

  • T.J. Watt
  • Corey Clement
  • Leon Jacobs
  • Troy Fumagalli
  • Sojourn Shelton
  • Rob Wheelwright
  • Garret Dooley
  • Jazz Peavy
  • Jack Cichy and Ryan Connelly (both walk-ons)

 

No. 3: 2019 (No. 29 in the nation)

  • Graham Mertz
  • Logan Brown
  • Keeanu Benton
  • Leo Chenal
  • Semar Melvin
  • Spencer Lytle
  • Joe Tippmann
  • Maema Njongmeta

 

No. 2: 2009 (No. 45 in the nation)

  • Chris Borland
  • Travis Frederick
  • Montee Ball
  • Ryan Groy

 

No. 1: 2005 (No. 30 in the nation)

  • Travis Beckum
  • Jonathan Casillas
  • Matt Shaughnessy
  • DeAndre Levy
  • Garrett Graham
  • O’Brien Schofield
  • P.J. Hill

 

My take: I have no arguments with No. 1-6, though given with Jonathan Taylor did in his three years at Wisconsin I would’ve liked to see the 2017 class ranked a bit higher. Aside from that this list makes a lot of sense, but if you ask me what the top-10 will be when we check back in four years from now the 2021 class has a great shot to take a top-5 spot.

You may notice the highest-ranked class is the 2019 group at No. 29. 2021’s squad is again already No. 16 with five-star offensive tackle Nolan Rucci, four-star defensive end T.J. Bollers, four-star tight end Terrance Ferguson and more highly-rated players still on the Badgers’ radar and yet to announce their commitments.

Check back in to our “Wisconsin football recruiting 2021 commitment tracker” as Chryst and the Badgers keep rising in the national rankings.

247Sports predicts where Texas will finish in the Big 12 this season

247Sports national reporter Brandon Marcello recently ranked where each Big 12 football program would finish this upcoming season.

According to 247Sports national reporter Brandon Marcello, the state of Oklahoma will control the Big 12 this season. Continue reading “247Sports predicts where Texas will finish in the Big 12 this season”

Wisconsin football recruiting 2021 commitment tracker

As things stand today (June 9) the Badgers have the No. 16-ranked 2021 recruiting class in the nation and No. 6 in the Big Ten. The class though-led by big names including J.P. Benzschawel, Riley Mahlman, Hunter Wohler, Jack Pugh and Deacon Hill-is …

As things stand today (June 9) the Badgers have the No. 16-ranked 2021 recruiting class in the nation and No. 6 in the Big Ten.

The class though–led by big names including J.P. Benzschawel, Riley Mahlman, Hunter Wohler, Jack Pugh and Deacon Hill–is far from complete as highly-touted recruits including Nolan Rucci, T.J. Bollers, Ricardo Hamilton, Skyler Bell and Terrance Ferguson have yet to announce their commitments and all still have the Badgers in the running in their final lists of possible destinations.

Below is a tracker for all 2021 commits and their player cards as head coach Paul Chryst looks to improve his already-impressive 2021 recruiting class.

 

New Additions (updated June 9)

 

The current class (updated June 9)

  • four-star offensive tackle J.P. Benzschawel
  • four-star offensive tackle Riley Mahlman
  • four-star safety Hunter Wohler
  • four-star tight end Jack Pugh
  • three-star inside linebacker Bryan Sanborn
  • three-star running back Jackson Acker
  • three-star defensive end Darryl Peterson
  • three-star defensive end Ayo Adebogun
  • three-star running back Loyal Crawford
  • three-star quarterback Deacon Hill
  • three-star linebacker Jake Chaney
  • three-star running back Antwan Roberts
  • three-star defensive end Mike Jarvis

 

Next…player cards for the quarterback commits

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7, Page 8

Wisconsin offers a top 2022 defensive lineman

247Sports’ No. 4 defensive tackle in the class of 2022 and four-star recruit Caden Curry tweeted today that he was offered by Paul Chryst…

247Sports’ No. 4 defensive tackle in the class of 2022 and four-star recruit Caden Curry tweeted today that he was offered by Paul Chryst and the Wisconsin Badgers.

The Greenwood, Indiana native is the No. 1-ranked player in the state of Indiana according to 247Sports’ profile and currently has offers from Iowa, Indiana, Cincinnati, Boston College, Arizona State, Ohio State, Michigan State and more.

Players in the class of 2022 have yet to announce their college decisions but if Chryst’s 2021 class is any indication of what is to come, landing a player the caliber of Curry is a more-than-possible feat.