Tag: Class of 2025

Former Wisconsin class of 2025 commit flips pledge to a Big 12 program

Former Wisconsin class of 2025 commit flips pledge to a Big 12 program

Former Wisconsin class of 2025 commit Wilnerson Telemaque flipped his pledge to West Virginia on Wednesday.

Telemaque recently decommitted from the Badgers’ class of 2025 on Oct. 29. West Virginia now adds him to its class of 2025 after being an initial finalist back in June, along with the Badgers and Georgia Tech.

247Sports currently ranks the three-star defensive lineman as the No. 816 player in the class of 2025, No. 95 defensive lineman and No. 104 recruit from his home state of Florida. He joins a West Virginia class of 2025 that currently ranks No. 40 in the nation with 22 players committed.

Telemaque’s departure from Wisconsin’s class of 2025 was part of a flurry of moves in the group. It flipped three-star DL Drayden Pavey and three-star TE Emmett Bork in short order, then saw three-star LB Brenden Anes flip to Tennessee and now Telemaque to West Virginia.

In all, Wisconsin’s class of 2025 ranks No. 28 in the nation with 23 players committed. Luke Fickell is still working to put finishing touches on the group before it is finalized in the coming months.

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Penn State adds to their secondary with commitment from 2025 four-star safety

Penn State has added another top-flight player from Pennsylvania to its 2025 class, getting a commitment from four-star safety Matt Sieg.

Penn State’s 2026 recruiting class is shaping up nicely, but they received some more good news during their game against Ohio State. Four-star 2026 safety [autotag]Matt Sieg[/autotag] announced his commitment to the Nittany Lions, adding yet another player top player from their home state of Pennsylvania.

Sieg is one of the best players in the 2026 class, ranked as the No. 3 player in Pennsylvania and the No. 12 safety in the country according to 247sports. He is also the No. 210 player in their composite rankings. Sieg has had an exceptional high school career, leading his Fort Cherry team to a WPIAL championship in 2023.

Sieg could end up playing safety or maybe even receiver thanks to his athleticism and ability with the ball in his hands. He has been a force as a dual-threat quarterback for Fort Cherry, but those skills should translate better at receiver at the next level.

The five-foot-eleven playmaker may also be able to have an impact in the return game with his speed and contact balance. Sieg is the first potential member of the secondary to join the 2026 class, and he may be one of just a few thanks to a stacked 2025 class for Penn State on the back end.

Time will tell where he ultimately fits in for the Nittany Lions, but he has huge upside and even has NFL potential from what he has shown as a recruit. [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] has to be happy about how the 2026 class is coming together.

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Top 2025 quarterback, former Michigan commit to visit Wisconsin during game vs. Oregon

Top 2025 quarterback, former Michigan commit to visit Wisconsin during game vs. Oregon

Four-star class of 2025 quarterback Carter Smith will visit Wisconsin during its contest against No. 1 Oregon on Nov. 16, according to On3’s Steve Wiltfong.

Smith recently decommitted from Michigan‘s class of 2025 as the Wolverines reportedly heightened their pursuit of five-star QB Bryce Underwood. He had been committed to Michigan since November 2023 — before the transition from Jim Harbaugh to Sherrone Moore.

Related: Wisconsin updated class of 2025 national ranking after flipping Michigan State commit, notable decommitment

247Sports currently ranks the Fort Myers, Florida native as the No. 158 player in the class of 2025, No. 14 quarterback and No. 26 recruit from his home state.

Wisconsin joins a crowded offer sheet that also includes Florida State, Miami, Ole Miss, Penn State and Texas A&M. It’s still unclear which programs will re-open their pursuit after Smith’s decommitment, however, as some on his offer list are likely to have landed a quarterback since last November.

Of note, Wisconsin is currently the only program scheduled to host Smith on a visit.

Wisconsin’s class of 2025 currently ranks No. 28 in the nation and No. 10 in the Big Ten. The group has seen some activity lately. It flipped both DL Drayden Pavey and TE Emmett Bork from Purdue and Michigan State, respectively, but also saw DL Wilnerson Telemaque and LB Brenden Anes decommit during that time.

The class currently has one quarterback committed: three-star Landyn Locke — the younger brother of Badgers current starter Braedyn Locke.

The potential addition of Smith would provide a big boost to Wisconsin’s recruiting output. Luke Fickell has compiled classes that rank well nationally, but he has yet to land a highly-touted signal-caller. Carter Smith isn’t quite Drake Maye — a five-star quarterback that led Phil Longo’s offense to success at North Carolina. But he would represent a clear step forward for the Badgers recruiting the position.

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Wisconsin class of 2025 commit flips to a top SEC power

Wisconsin’s class of 2025 lost its second commitment in the last week

Wisconsin class of 2025 commit Brenden Anes flipped his commitment to Tennessee on Thursday.

Anes originally committed to the Badgers class of 2025 back in January. He chose the program over other offers including Duke, Indiana, Memphis and in-state Tennessee.

Related: Wisconsin updated class of 2025 national ranking after flipping Michigan State commit, notable decommitment

Anes’ decommittment now drops Luke Fickell’s class of 2025 to 23 total recruits, with two at outside linebacker (three-star Samuel Lateju and four-star Nicolas Clayton). He is the second player to drop his pledge to the class in the last week, joining three-star defensive lineman Wilnerson Telemaque.

247Sports ranks the Franklin, Tennessee native as the No. 584 player in the class of 2025, No. 61 linebacker and No. 20 recruit from his home state. Given his move to a top-tier SEC program, it wouldn’t be a surprise if that ranking rises in the coming weeks.

Wisconsin’s class of 2025 still ranks No. 28 in the nation and No. 10 in the new Big Ten after Anes’ decommitment. While Anes and Telemaque have each recently left the class, the group has also recently flipped DL Drayden Pavey and TE Emmett Bork from Purdue and Michigan State, respectively.

Fickell and his staff still have time to put the final touches on what will likely be considered a successful class of 2025 cycle.

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Wisconsin football class of 2025 edge commit earns four-star ranking

Wisconsin football class of 2025 edge commit earns four-star ranking

Wisconsin football class of 2025 edge commit Nicolas Clayton earned a four-star designation on 247Sports’ composite ranking on Thursday.

At the time of his commitment in June, the outlet considered the defensive prospect a three-star recruit out of high school. His impressive output at F. W. Buchholz High School in Gainesville, Florida, appears to have vaulted his recruiting ranking.

By Oct. 3, Clayton announced he had recorded 48 total tackles, 4 TFLs, 9 PBUs, 10 hurries, 5 sacks and 1 forced fumble as a senior. Those numbers will surely rise as his season progresses and could further impact his status as a recruit.

247Sports now considers Clayton the No. 424 overall prospect, No. 31 edge and No. 58 recruit from the state of Florida in the class of 2025. Clayton also took a visit to UW for its contest against the No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions on Oct. 26.

Rivals currently ranks UW’s class of 2025 No. 16 in the nation with 23 total commitments. Clayton and three-star Torin Pettaway are the sole defensive ends to committed to Luke Fickell’s program in the class.

Three-star defensive lineman decommits from Wisconsin class of 2025

Three-star defensive lineman decommits from Wisconsin class of 2025

Wilnerson Telemaque, a three-star defensive lineman from Miami, Florida, decommitted from Wisconsin’s class of 2025 on Monday.

Telemaque initially pledged to the Badgers back in June over other finalists Georgia Tech and West Virginia. He now reopens his recruitment, with those two schools presumably back in play.

Related: Wisconsin updated class of 2025 commits after flipping TE Emmett Bork from Michigan State

“After a conversation with my family and coaches I will be de-committing from the University of Wisconsin,” Telemaque wrote on X. “I would like to thank Coach [Luke] Fickell and Coach [E.J.] Whitlow for recruiting me. My recruitment is 100% open.”

247Sports currently ranks the three-star defensive lineman as the No. 806 player in the class of 2025, No. 92 defensive lineman and No. 105 recruit from his home state of Florida.

Telemaque’s departure cuts Wisconsin’s defensive line group in its class of 2025 to three commits: Drayden Pavey, Torin Pettaway and Xavier Ukponu. Pavey, notably, recently flipped his commitment to the Badgers from Big Ten rival Purdue.

This news also directly follows Wisconsin flipping Michigan State commit TE Emmett Bork. The Badgers’ class of 2025 reached 25 commitments for a few hours on Monday night before Telemaque’s departure dropped that total back to 24.

Wisconsin’s class currently ranks No. 28 in the nation and No. 10 in the new Big Ten after the flurry of moves. That is close to where the group will finish with the 2025 cycle nearing completion.

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BREAKING: Wisconsin flips a class of 2025 Michigan State commit

BREAKING: Wisconsin flips a class of 2025 Michigan State commit

Wisconsin landed a commitment from class of 2025 three-star tight end Emmett Bork on Monday.

Bork was originally committed to Big Ten rival Michigan State. He pledged to the Spartans back in May, and now flips his commitment to the Badgers after visiting the program during its recent loss to Penn State.

Related: Wisconsin updated class of 2025 commits after flipping TE Emmett Bork from Michigan State

247Sports ranks the Oconomowoc, Wisconsin native as the No. 1,284 overall player in the class of 2025, No. 68 tight end and No. 13 recruit from the state of Wisconsin.

He is commitment No. 25 for the program in the class of 2025. Luke Fickell’s group now ranks No. 27 in the nation after Bork’s addition, jumping Big Ten rival Rutgers.

Bork is Wisconsin’s second flip in the class of 2025 in just the last 10 days. The Badgers also flipped three-star DT Drayden Pavey from Purdue on Oct. 22.

Wisconsin’s work is close to done in the 2025 cycle. The group is already a strong follow-up to Luke Fickell’s program-best 2024 output. Another few late-stage commitments would only bolster that reality.

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One of UNC’s top 2025 football commits has four touchdowns in Friday Night blowout

UNC’s likely quarterback of the future shined under the Friday Night Lights yesterday, leading his team to a massive win with four touchdown passes.

Could Class of 2025, 4-star quarterback commit Bryce Baker be exactly what the North Carolina Tar Heels need to turn their football program around?

If we’re pointing to Baker’s most recent game, the answer is a resounding yes.

Baker, one of UNC’s three in-state commits in the Class of 2025, led the East Forsyth Eagles to a resounding, 49-6 blowout victory over rival Glenn High School on Friday night.

In the win, Baker completed 16-of-21 passes for 224 yards and four touchdowns. He helped keep East Forsyth (9-0, 6-0), ranked ninth amongst ALL North Carolina high school football team, undefeated and atop the Central Piedmont 4A conference.

Baker’s talent and efficiency is on full display this season alone, as he’s completed 148-of-190 passes for 2,392 yards and 28 touchdowns, with just two interceptions. Baker averages 265.8 yards per game, 16.4 yards per completion and a near-perfect passer rating of 154.3.

Through not even two full varsity seasons, Baker has 5,474 passing yards and 67 touchdowns.

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Baker is an integral part of what’s currently a 12-man, 2025 recruiting class for North Carolina. He’s one of the Tar Heels’ two 4-star commits, along with Gainesville, Ga.-based offensive tackle Alex Payne, who’ll be protecting Baker in Chapel Hill.

With Jacolby Criswell running out of eligibility after this season, plus no guarantee Max Johnson will be ready to start after the broken leg he suffered in Week 1, UNC could be thin at quarterback in 2025.

That’s where Baker and his proven talent come into the picture. I expect he’ll push Conner Harrell for the starting gig next season. If Johnson returns from his broken leg, North Carolina will have yet another exciting quarterback competition on its hands.

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Saints legend, Super Bowl champion up for the Hall of Fame again in 2025

New Orleans Saints legend Jahri Evans is up for the Pro Football Hall of Fame again in 2025. He’s one of eight finalists returning from last year’s voting:

This is a big deal for New Orleans Saints assistant offensive line coach Jahri Evans. The five-time All-Pro right guard also won six Pro Bowl appearances as a player and a spot on the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, and he’ll be recognized at his enshrinement to the Saints’ team Ring of Honor later this season. But an even bigger recognition could be waiting for him.

Evans was selected as one of 50 nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025. There are eight finalists returning from the voting for the Class of 2024 — Evans, Fred Taylor, Torry Holt, Reggie Wayne, Antonio Gates, Willie Andeerson, Rodney Harrison, and Darren Woodson.

On top of that, there are eight first-time candidates up for the Class of 2025: Eli Manning, Marshawn Lynch, Joe Staley, Marshal Yanda, Luke Kuechcly, Terrell Suggs, Earl Thomas, and Adam Vinatieri.

So it’s a loaded group, but Evans clearly has plenty of support among the Hall of Fame voters. Maybe this is the year he’ll get in. Evans has gotten one  step further during each year of eligibility, and unlike some players on this list he has both the personal achievements and a Super Bowl ring on his resume. The group will be whittled down further to just 25 semifinalists in a month.

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Penn State seems to be on the verge of flipping Brandon Finney

Is Penn State football on the verge of flipping this key recruiting target?

There could be some good news coming down the chute for Penn State on the recruiting trail in the 2025 class.

After already flipping one of their targets from the group who was on campus for the UCLA game when Josh Johnson announced his decision to commit to the Nittany Lions, it seems like they are on the verge of pulling off another one.

Chad Simmons of On3 just logged an expert pick where he has elite four-star cornerback [autotag]Brandon Finney[/autotag] flipping from Oregon to Penn State.

This is a huge development for the Nittany Lions in this cycle as the McDonogh School prospect is someone who was at the top of their target board throughout his recruitment. Multiple insiders said [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] and his staff were surprised when he committed to the Ducks, but that did not stop them from continuing to pursue him.

Ranked as the 55th-best player in the 2025 class by On3’s Industry Ranking and a five-star by 247Sports’ personal ratings, Finney would be the best recruit for Penn State in that cycle.

After Penn State was able to get him back on campus for the UCLA game, all signs pointed to things starting to turn in their direction. However, they had to overcome the hurdle of him getting back to Eugene for the massive showdown Oregon had against Ohio State.

That could have ended things if he felt like that was the place for him, but even after taking in that experience, his comments suggested he was still considering the Nittany Lions.

Well, it’s starting to seem like Penn State is going to get this one home eventually.