Tag: Class of 2024

Wisconsin vs. Penn State matchup highlights recent recruiting rivalry

A look at Penn State’s recent recruiting success in the state of Wisconsin, and vise versa:

Saturday’s primetime matchup between the Wisconsin Badgers (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten) and No. 3-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) carries significant weight in the Big Ten race.

Penn State currently sits in first place with an unblemished record, tied with No. 1 Oregon (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) and No. 13 Indiana (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten). Wisconsin, meanwhile, is one signature win away from entering the conference race. A win over Penn State would push the Badgers to 4-1 in Big Ten play, likely just one game back of Oregon and Indiana, depending on Saturday’s results.

Related: 10 stats that will define Wisconsin Badgers vs. Penn State football

Saturday’s game also sees the on-field battle between two programs who have gone head-to-head on the recruiting trail over the last half-decade. Wisconsin has some big recruiting wins over Penn State, highlighted by 2021 five-star OT Nolan Rucci (who has since transferred to Penn State) and 2024 four-star OT Kevin Heywood.

Those are the two most significant recent examples of Wisconsin entering the state of Pennsylvania and earning a commitment from one of its top recruits.

Penn State, on the other hand, boasts similar recent success recruiting in the state of Wisconsin. It has recently earned commitments from four-star TE Jerry Cross (No. 4 recruit from Wisconsin in class of 2022), four-star OT Garrett Sexton (No. 2 in class of 2024), four-star RB Corey Smith (No. 3 in class of 2024) and four-star iOL Donnie Harbour (No. 4 in class of 2024).

Context surrounding each of those commitments is unique. This is listed not to point to a large trend or project into the future. Rather, it is done to outline significant context entering the game. Wisconsin has had recent success recruiting in the state of Pennsylvania, while Penn State has had the same in Wisconsin.

None of Rucci, Heywood, Cross, Smith, Sexton or Harbour figure to play big roles in the outcome of Saturday’s game. Rucci and Heywood are the closest to the field — each enters as their respective team’s top backup at offensive tackle. Still, they all represent an added layer of the matchup’s importance.

That added importance exists because on-field head-to-head win will inevitably contribute to the recruiting pitch for whichever program finds a victory. Given recent history, that recruiting pitch is likely to be made in the opposing state.

Wisconsin is trending positively on the recruiting trail under Luke Fickell, highlighted by a program-best 2024 class. Marquee home victories against top-ranked opponents are what Fickell needs to push that recruiting output to the next level.

Penn State, on the other hand, is already at that recruiting level with perennial top-15 classes and a No. 11 overall ranking in the 247Sports team talent composite for 2024.

It’s tough to overemphasize what a win could mean for the future of the Badgers program under Fickell, both on the field and on the recruiting trail.

Wisconsin and Penn State will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m. CT on Saturday night at Camp Randall Stadium. The game will be broadcast on NBC and available via stream on Peacock.

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Luke Fickell’s record-setting class of 2024 already paying dividends for Wisconsin

Luke Fickell’s record-setting class of 2024 already paying dividends for Wisconsin

The lifeblood of any successful college football program is strong recruiting. For Luke Fickell’s Wisconsin tenure, it is the thing many point to while discussing why he will bring the Badgers back to prominence.

The early results are impossible to argue with. Fickell finished the 2024 cycle with a top-25 class and the program’s first-ever Blue-Chip Ratio of 50%. He has since followed that up with a strong class of 2025 that currently sits ranked No. 26 in the nation.

Related: Big Ten Power Rankings entering Week 1: A clean slate for Wisconsin

Those results are already paying dividends for the program on the field.

Wisconsin’s newly-released two-deep depth chart for Week 1 includes two true freshmen: backup RT Kevin Heywood and backup cornerback Xavier Lucas. Those two impressively won backup jobs after excelling from the moment they arrived on campus this summer.

Heywood was the highest-ranked member of the class, slotted as 247Sports’ No. 50 player in the class and No. 4 offensive tackle.

Lucas, meanwhile, was an under-the-radar addition. Fickell and his staff beat a host of top SEC programs to land his commitment. While 247Sports only ranked Lucas as the No. 372 player in the class and No. 35 safety, he’s already looking like a rising star at the position.

Both Heywood and Lucas will play significant roles for the team in 2024, and should only improve as the years progress.

Those two making the two-deep depth chart doesn’t even include breakout running back Darrion Dupree (four-star, No. 392 player in class, No. 29 running back) and outside linebacker Thomas Heiberger (four-star, No. 463 player in class, No. 40 linebacker).

Many expect Dupree to earn snaps and touches as the season progresses. He and Lucas dominated nearly every headline during training camp practices.

Heiberger, finally, was in line to win snaps at outside linebacker before a knee injury halted his progress. But like the rest of these true freshmen listed, he was already making an impact from the moment he arrived on campus.

It’s rare that a freshmen class already has 4-5 legitimate contributors from the minute the first season kicks off. That’s what Wisconsin’s class of 2024 currently has. Its impact should only grow as the seasons progress.

The Badgers’ 2024 season will not be defined by the play of these newcomers. But when forecasting the future under Fickell, their respective emergences will make it look much brighter.

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Wisconsin OL named a 2024 preseason True Freshman All-American by On3

Wisconsin OL named a 2024 preseason True Freshman All-American by On3

Wisconsin offensive lineman Kevin Heywood earned a spot on On3’s 2024 Preseason True Freshman All-American Team on Monday.

Heywood, who committed to the Badgers’ program back in June of 2023, was one of five offensive linemen to pocket a selection on the distinguished crew. Colorado’s Jordan Seaton, South Carolina’s Josiah Thompson, Penn State’s Cooper Cousins and Notre Dame’s Anthonie Knapp rounded out that list.

The 6-foot-8, 312-pound 18-year-old enters UW’s locker room as its most coveted recruiting pull for the class of 2024. 247Sports ranks Heywood as the No. 50 recruit in the nation, No. 5 offensive lineman and No. 1 recruit from his home state of Pennsylvania for his class.

Here’s what On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power said about Heywood ahead of the 2024 slate:

“Kevin Heywood has already made waves at Wisconsin and looks to be in contention to potentially play early for the Badgers. He was knocking on the door of five-star status in the 2024 cycle and has a massive frame and plus-athleticism. He has what you want as a tackle, physically, and plays with a nasty, physical edge. He fits what Wisconsin wants to do on the offensive line and it’s not surprising to hear that he has impressed early on.”

The former Pope John Paul II high school attendee appears to have played himself into the No. 2 spot on UW’s left tackle depth chart. Redshirt senior Jack Nelson currently holds the starting job, but Heywood’s ceiling suggests he will become a staple in Wisconsin’s offensive line for years to come.

Wisconsin HC Luke Fickell mentions 6 true freshmen who could contribute in 2024

Wisconsin HC Luke Fickell mentions 6 true freshmen who should contribute in 2024

Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell met with the media on Sunday evening after the Badgers wrapped up their second week of fall training camp.

The biggest note from the period was Miami transfer Tyler Van Dyke reportedly trending toward capturing the starting quarterback job.

Fickell avoided naming Van Dyke the starter during his press conference. But practice reps are reportedly telling the story of Van Dyke as the No. 1, and redshirt sophomore Braedyn Locke as the No. 2.

Related: Wisconsin has terrific history when entering football season unranked in AP Poll

One other significant note from Fickell’s availability: he mentioned six true freshmen who could see the field and contribute as early as this season.

Those players: OT Kevin Heywood, CB Xavier Lucas, OT Emerson Mandell, OT Colin Cubberly, RB Darrion Dupree and RB Dilin Jones.

Here are relevant notes and context surrounding each player:

  • Heywood was the No. 50 overall player in the class of 2024 and is living up to that billing. He reportedly turned heads during spring practice and may win the backup job at left tackle
  • Mandell (No. 191 in the class) and Cubberly (No. 661) both could compete for depth roles along the line. That is due in part to the program’s lack of depth at the position, especially after an injury to Vanderbilt transfer Leyton Nelson.
  • Lucas (No. 372) has been one of the bigger standouts at fall camp. Wisconsin is loaded in the secondary. Him already in position to make an impact is a testament to his talent and potential.
  • Breakout performances from Dupree (No. 392) and Jones (No. 146) have dominated the headlines at fall camp. Wisconsin has solid veterans in place at the position. But there is precedent for a talented freshman being too good to leave on the sideline (Jonathan Taylor, 2017)

This list also does not mention Thomas Heiberger (four-star, No. 463), who was reportedly in line to compete for snaps at outside linebacker before suffering a knee injury.

Takeaway No. 1 from Fickell’s comment and the storylines from fall camp is that these players will form Wisconsin’s core for years to come.

Takeaway No. 2, importantly, is that Fickell’s top-ranked class of 2024 is already become a success story only months after joining the program. Fickell’s future at Wisconsin relies on his recruiting prowess leading to better on-field results.

It’s early, but the current signs are positive in that respect.

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Randy Gradishar speaks on the personal significance of 2024 Enshrinement Week

Denver Broncos legend Randy Gradishar is anxiously awaiting his enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Former Denver Bronco and current Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Randy Gradishar recently spoke out about the significance of the 2024 Enshrinement Week on deck in Canton.

“It’s very exciting for sure,” Gradishar told media members in Denver earlier this week. “I’m very nervous and just getting ready from getting there — we’ll be leaving on Wednesday. Once we’re there, they [have] you going 12, 14 hours a day doing all kinds of different things. Getting ready for the game, getting ready for your speech and all those kinds of different things along with trying to say hello to some of your friends and family.

“It’s going to be an exciting time and it’s exciting for me because I’m from the area — born and raised in Warren Champion, Ohio, which is about 40 miles from Akron and Canton. I always passed it when I went down to Ohio State. I always went through Akron and Canton. [I’m] looking forward to that and looking forward to finding out how many more Buckeyes are still there.”

Gradishar hung up his cleats in 1983, and he had a long wait to reach Canton. Fittingly, the number of years he waited to reach the Hall of Fame have a connection to his jersey number.

“I asked the Lord — I said why does it take 35 years for this, and I turned it around and it was ‘53,’ my number,” Gradishar said. “It took 35 years for whatever reason in order for me to be chosen to come into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”

Prior to his election, Gradishar’s Hall of Fame resume was reminiscent of several current Hall of Famers, such as Chuck Bednarik, Dick Butkus, Brian Urlacher and Ray Lewis.

Gradishar is the first member of the famed “Orange Crush” defense of the late 1970s to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Gradishar shared his elation that he was the first member of the unit to be inducted, and the hope that others will follow.

“Finally, the ‘Orange Crush’ is being recognized and I hope through my induction that other guys here in the near future — their names will be coming up and they will be able to have the opportunity to possibly be nominated and come in as a part of that ‘Orange Crush’ defense.”

Gradishar will be presented by fellow Broncos Ring of Famer Tom Jackson.

The Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony will take place on Aug. 3.

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John Calipari, Arkansas land decommit from Big Ten school

Casmir Chavis, a three-star guard in the 2024 recruiting class, committed to John Calipari and the Arkansas Razorbacks on Wednesday.

John Calipari may be in new threads, but he continues to do what he does best: recruit high school talent.

The Arkansas Razorbacks landed a commitment from Casper Chavis on Wednesday, the fourth incoming freshman for coach Cal alongside former Kentucky commits Boogie Fland, Karter Knox, and Billy Richmond.

Chavis is a three-star point guard who is ranked No. 177 in the class according to 247Sports’ composite rankings. The 6’3 guard is from Minneapolis and initially committed to the Washington Huskies back in November over Georgia, Arizona State, and West Virginia.

However, Chavis was released from his NLI after coach Mike Hopkins was fired, and now he joins a new look Hogs roster in Fayetteville that has just one returner in veteran forward Trevon Brazile.

“I decided to choose Arkansas because the development I can get from the coaching staff is one of the best in the country and how good the community is towards the team. Plus the relationship we built made it better just getting to know each other. Coach Calipari has been able to get previous players in my position to the NBA so that’s why I ended up choosing Arkansas.”

Chavis will be behind sophomore DJ Wagner, who followed Calipari from Kentucky, as well as Florida Atlantic transfer Johnell Davis and Fland, the No. 18 ranked prospect in the class.

Wisconsin legend J.J. Watt is impressed by a Badger true freshman

Wisconsin legend J.J. Watt is impressed by a Badger true freshman

Wisconsin football’s annual ‘Squat Fest’ took place on Friday. The highly-publicized event had members of the media in attendance, who all shared social media clips of the impressive weightlifting feats.

One such clip came from BadgerExtra’s Jake Kocorowski. It is of true freshman running back Gideon Ituka easily squatting 545 pounds.

Related: Wisconsin’s all-time record against every Big Ten football team

The video mostly just circulated among Badgers fans on X. But Wisconsin legend and future NFL Hall of Fame defensive lineman J.J. Watt soon chimed in, impressed by the clip.

Ituka is a member of Wisconsin’s record-breaking class of 2024. He joins the program after being ranked as the No. 1,078 player in the class of 2025, No. 81 running back and No. 31 recruit from the state of Maryland.

The former three-star recruit was an early enrollee and has been on campus since January. Still, 545 on the squat rack is usually a number put up by a veteran player — or not put up at all.

Ituka is one of four running backs to join the program this offseason along with transfer Tawee Walker, and four-star recruits Dilin Jones and Darrion Dupree. The room looks to be loaded moving into the future, notably with players with different body types and running styles.

Early indications are that Ituka may be able to surpass his low-three-star recruiting ranking.

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Wisconsin basketball adds in-state guard to its class of 2024

Wisconsin basketball adds in-state guard to its class of 2024

Wisconsin basketball added in-state walk-on guard Aidan Konop to its class of 2024 on Saturday.

The 6-foot, 2-inch shooting guard will join the Badgers after averaging 20 points and 6.1 rebounds for Hamilton High School in Sussex, Wisconsin, last season.

Related: Big Ten basketball teams ranked by returning production entering 2024-25 season

He joins a Wisconsin class of 2024 that finished ranked 62nd in the nation by 247Sports. The class is headlined by point guard Daniel Freitag, who figures to play a large role immediately as Wisconsin works to replace the production of star point guard Chucky Hepburn. The class also includes three-star shooting guard Jack Robison.

Konop joins a new-look Wisconsin roster that includes transfer additions Camren Hunter and John Tonje; freshmen Xavier Amos, Freitag and Robison; and recent international signee Andrija Vukovic. Konop will join the walk-on group that consists of Isaac Gard and Jack Janicki.

Wisconsin is still in preparation mode with the 2024-25 season five months from tipping off. The program will open the season with challenging out of conference games against Arizona, Marquette and Butler before the Big Ten slate.

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Meet Wisconsin football’s incoming class of 2024 freshmen: defense

Meet Wisconsin football’s incoming class of 2024 freshmen: defense

Wisconsin football’s recruiting class of 2024 has now all arrived on campus with training camp for the upcoming season right around the corner.

The Badgers’ class finished the cycle ranked No. 23 in the nation and No. 4 in the Big Ten. The group is a strong statement by head coach Luke Fickell in only his first full recruiting cycle since taking over as Wisconsin head coach in Nov. 2022 — it was impressively the program’s first-ever class to finish with a blue-chip ratio of 50%.

Related: Ranking all 18 Big Ten coaching staffs entering the 2024 football season

Wisconsin recently posted videos on X introducing the group to the Badgers’ fanbase. We’ve already looked at the group’s players on the offensive side of the ball.

Now, here is the portion of the class that will line up on defense

  • Four-star DL Ernest Willor Jr. (No. 120 overall in class of 2025, No. 21 defensive tackle, No. 3 recruit from Maryland)
  • Four-star DL Dillon Johnosn (No. 162 overall in class of 2025, No. 26 defensive lineman, No. 6 recruit from Illinois)
  • Four-star S Xavier Lucas (No. 371 overall in class of 2025, No. 35 safety, No. 52 recruit from Florida)
  • Four-star CB Omillio Agard (No. 420 overall in class of 2025, No. 37 cornerback, No. 7 recruit from Pennsylvania)
  • Four-star LB Thomas Heiberger (No. 462 overall in class of 2025, No. 40 linebacker, No. 1 recruit from South Dakota)
  • Four-star edge Anelu Lafaele (No. 600 overall in class of 2025, No. 40 edge rusher, No. 3 recruit from Hawaii)
  • Three-star CB Jay Harper (No. 713 overall in class of 2025, No. 61 cornerback, No. 35 recruit from Alabama)
  • Three-star LB Landon Gauthier (No. 731 overall in class of 2025, No. 64 linebacker, No. 8 recruit from Wisconsin)
  • Three-star S Raphael Dunn (No. 769 overall in class of 2025, No. 78 safety, No. 15 recruit from New Jersey)
  • Three-star DL Hank Weber (No. 1,172 overall in class of 2025, No. 123 defensive lineman, No. 39 recruit from Tennessee)

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion.

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Meet Wisconsin football’s incoming class of 2024 freshmen: offense

Meet Wisconsin football’s incoming class of 2024 freshmen: offense

Wisconsin football finished the class of 2024 recruiting cycle ranked No. 23 in the nation and No. 4 in the Big Ten. The class, the first full cycle of Luke Fickell’s tenure with the program, finished with the program’s first-ever blue-chip ratio of 50%.

Recruiting is the lifeblood of any successful college football program. The incoming class of 2024 has the look of a group that can lead to a high level of winning in the coming years.

Related: Ranking all 18 Big Ten coaching staffs entering the 2024 football season

That class is now all on-campus with fall training camp right around the corner.

Wisconsin recently posted videos on X introducing the group to the Badgers’ fanbase. First, here is the half of the class that will line up on offense:

  • Four-star OT Kevin Heywood (No. 50 overall in class of 2025, No. 4 offensive tackle, No. 1 recruit from Pennsylvania)
  • Four-star RB Dilin Jones (No. 139 overall in class of 2025, No. 10 running back, No. 4 recruit from Maryland)
  • Four-star OT Emerson Mandell (No. 162 overall in class of 2025, No. 26 offensive tackle, No. 6 recruit from Illinois)
  • Four-star TE Grant Stec (No. 291 overall in class of 2025, No. 19 tight end, No. 7 recruit from Illinois)
  • Four-star RB Darrion Dupree (No. 391 overall in class of 2025, No. 29 running back, No. 12 recruit from Illinois)
  • Four-star QB Mabrey Mettauer (No. 461 overall in class of 2025, No. 31 quarterback, No. 73 recruit from Texas)
  • Three-star iOL Derek Jensen (No. 527 overall in class of 2025, No. 34 interior offensive lineman, No. 5 recruit from Wisconsin)
  • Three-star iOL Colin Cubberly (No. 660 overall in class of 2025, No. 50 iOL offensive tackle, No. 4 recruit from New York)
  • Three-star TE Rob Booker (No. 660 overall in class of 2025, No. 35 tight end, No. 7 recruit from Wisconsin)
  • Three-star WR Kyan Berry-Johnson (No. 761 overall in class of 2025, No. 104 wide receiver, No. 18 recruit from Illinois)
  • Three-star iOL Ryan Cory (No. 674 overall in class of 2025, No. 52 interior offensive lineman, No. 17 recruit from Pennsylvania)
  • Three-star RB Gideon Ituka (No. 1,077 overall in class of 2025, No. 80 running back, No. 31 recruit from Maryland)

 

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