Tag: Class of 2025

Do latest UNC football de-commitments point to signs of trouble in 2025 recruiting class?

Do the UNC football team’s two recent de-commitments spell an underlying issue on the recruiting trail?

Losing consecutive games, particularly when that streak is seemingly never-ending, has consequences that extend far beyond the football field.

For the North Carolina Tar Heels, those consequences are recently highlighted on the recruiting trail.

Earlier on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 4-star tight end Marshall Pritchett flipped his commitment from UNC (3-4, 0-3) to Alabama. This followed a Monday de-commitment from another fellow tight end, as Logan Farrell announced he’ll be playing football for Illinois instead.

North Carolina will already be thin at tight end in 2025, as both Bryson Nesbit and John Copenhaver will run out of eligibility. This leaves the Tar Heels with just Jake Johnson, who followed his brother Max from Texas A&M in the offseason, at tight end.

Losing two tight ends in the span of 24 hours is concerning, but it’s not just those de-commitments concerning us. With how bad UNC is playing this year, I wouldn’t be shocked to see more commits follow suit, leaving its roster potentially very thin next fall.

The good news for North Carolina (we know, it doesn’t seem like there’s a lot) is that it still has 12 commitments in the Class of 2025, headlined by in-state, 4-star quarterback Bryce Baker and 4-star offensive tackle Alex Payne. Three of the Tar Heels’ commits (Baker, Kamden Laudenslanger and Trey Blue) announced their decisions last year), while their most recent commitment came from in-state running back Demon June on August 16.

UNC started 3-0 with consecutive wins over Minnesota, Charlotte and NC Central, then got exposed in a blowout loss to James Madison. With succeeding losses to Duke, Pitt and Georgia Tech, North Carolina’s hopes for bowl eligibility continue to dimmer.

Here’s to hoping the Tar Heels land several additional Class of 2025 commitments – and those already committed stay put.

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Where Wisconsin’s class of 2025 ranks nationally after landing DT Drayden Pavey

Where Wisconsin’s class of 2025 ranks nationally after landing DT Drayden Pavey

Wisconsin landed a commitment from class of 2025 defensive tackle Drayden Pavey on Tuesday.

The news follows Pavey backing out of his original commitment to Purdue this weekend. Just days later, he now flips to the Badgers — who were among his initial finalists back in July.

Related: Wisconsin updated class of 2025 commits after flipping DT Drayden Pavey from Purdue

Pavey is commitment No. 24 for the Badgers in a class. His addition keeps the group as 247Sports’ No. 28-ranked overall class and No. 10-ranked in the new Big Ten Conference.

Big Ten recruiting classes ranked ahead of the Badgers include Ohio State (No. 1 in the nation), Oregon (No. 9), USC (No. 10), Michigan (No. 14), Penn State (No. 15), Washington (No. 18), Nebraska (No. 23), Maryland (No. 24) and Rutgers (No. 26).

Despite its ranking within the Big Ten, Wisconsin’s class is a strong follow-up output for Luke Fickell after he finished the 2024 cycle with a program-best group. The biggest difference between the two classes are their blue-chip ratios. 2025 is at 21% (5/24) while 2024 reached 50% (11/22). Otherwise, national rankings of No. 28 and No. 24, respectively, aren’t far apart.

Wisconsin will look to bring momentum from its strong play onto the field into the rest of the 2025 recruiting cycle and beyond. A win over Penn State on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium could provide a launching point for the Fickell era with the program.

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BREAKING: Wisconsin lands former Purdue class of 2025 commit Drayden Pavey

BREAKING: Wisconsin lands former Purdue class of 2025 commit Drayden Pavey

Wisconsin landed a commitment from class of 2025 defensive tackle Drayden Pavey on Tuesday.

Pavey commits to the Badgers after recently walking back his pledge to Big Ten rival Purdue. He originally chose Purdue over finalists Wisconsin and Indiana back in early July.

Related: Wisconsin updated class of 2025 commits after flipping DT Drayden Pavey from Purdue

Now, the Badgers have landed an important late commitment after Pavey became the fourth member of Purdue’s class of 2025 to decommit since the start of the 2024 season.

247Sports currently ranks the three-star defensive tackle as the No. 724 overall player in the class of 2024, the No. 80 player at his position and the No. 28 recruit from his home state of Ohio. He is the fourth defensive lineman to join Wisconsin’s class of 2025, joining three-stars Torin Pettaway, Wilnerson Telemaque and Xavier Ukponu

Pavey is Wisconsin’s 24th commitment in the class of 2025. Luke Fickell’s group is pushing the nation’s top-25 — that after finishing the 2024 cycle with the No. 24-ranked class in the country.

Wisconsin’s work in the class of 2025 is mostly finished with signing day fast approaching. The addition of Pavey is big news as the Badgers built recruiting momentum from their current three-game win streak.

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Wisconsin receives crystal ball to land former Purdue class of 2025 DL commit

Wisconsin receives crystal ball to land former Purdue class of 2025 DL commit

This story was updated to add new information.

Wisconsin is currently projected to land a commitment from class of 2025 defensive tackle Drayden Pavey, according to both 247Sports and On3.

The Badgers received two 247Sports crystal balls and an On3 prediction to land the three-star defensive tackle over the weekend. The updates come after Pavey announced his decommitment from Purdue on Saturday.

Related: ESPN FPI updates Wisconsin football win chances for remaining 2024 schedule after win over Northwestern

Pavey initially chose the Boilermakers in early July over other finalists Wisconsin and Indiana. He becomes the fourth player to decommit from the program since the start of the 2024 season — a time during which Purdue is 1-6 and 0-4 in Big Ten Play.

247Sports currently ranks the three-star defensive tackle as the No. 724 overall player in the class of 2024, the No. 80 player at his position and the No. 28 recruit from his home state of Ohio.

Wisconsin’s class of 2025 currently ranks No. 28 in the nation with 23 players committed. The potential addition of Pavey could push the group toward the nation’s top 25.

Three-stars Torin Pettaway, Wilnerson Telemaque and Xavier Ukponu are currently the defensive linemen committed to the group. The position was properly addressed after it was a clear need for the program entering the cycle.

We now await any updates on where Pavey lands. If it’s Wisconsin, that marks just another recruiting win for Luke Fickell in a year full of them.

UPDATE (9:13 a.m.): Wisconsin officially landed a commitment from Pavey.

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2025 UNC football commit Demon June makes history on Friday night

Demon June continues to look like another future star running back in Chapel Hill. He made North Carolina high school history on Friday night.

There’s been a plethora of talented running backs to don a North Carolina Tar Heels uniform.

UNC currently has Omarion Hampton, who’s well on track for his second-consecutive 1,000-yard season. Ty Chandler, Michael Carter and Javonte Williams are all former Tar Heels now in the NFL, while there’s bound to be more talent coming through Chapel Hill.

If you don’t already know Demon June, you need to familiarize yourself with him.

June, one of 14 commits in North Carolina’s 2025 recruiting class, exploded to make high school football history on Friday night. In the Jacksonville (NC) High School Cardinals’ 62-43 victory over D.H. Conley, which helped them stay in a tie for second place in their conference, June gashed the Vikings’ defense for 47 rushing yards – and six touchdowns – on 23 carries.

Not only was June’s massive night a personal career high in both rushing yards and touchdowns, but he recorded the 32nd-most yards ever in a North Carolina high school football game.

Let’s compare June’s season to Hampton’s current season at UNC. Hampton currently has 901 rushing yards, seven touchdowns and five straight games recording 100 yards, including his second career 200-yard outing against NC Central in Week 3. Hampton has played in seven games.

June is slightly outpacing Hampton in yards and scores. June now has 1,055 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns – also through seven games. Playing against high school defenses is significantly easier, but it still presents a massive challenge.

How much better will June get over the course of his senior campaign? I can’t predict the future, but the Tar Heels will be extremely lucky to have him next season.

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Wisconsin offers class of 2025 Miami (OH) cornerback commit

Wisconsin offers class of 2025 Miami (Ohio) cornerback commit

Wisconsin football extended an offer to class of 2025 cornerback Cairo Skanes on Wednesday.

The 6-foot, 155-pound cornerback committed to Miami (Ohio) back in June. Nonetheless, Skanes boasts over 20 offers from programs including Charlotte, Princeton, Troy, Richmond, James Madison and Michigan State.

Despite being unranked by both Rivals and 247Sports. On3 lists Skanes as the No. 152 cornerback and No. 51 recruit from North Carolina for the class of 2025. While his commitment to Miami (OH) still holds true, On3’s recruiting prediction machine awards Miami just a 5.5% chance to retain the playmaker.

Every other program holds under a 10% likelihood of securing a commitment from the cornerback, per On3.

Wisconsin has secured 22 commitments for its class of 2025. As of Oct. 16, Luke Emmerich, Grant Dean, Jaimier Scott and Remington Moss comprise UW’s current cornerback group.

Through seven games of his senior slate, Skanes has accumulated 51 total tackles and two tackles for loss for Providence Day School in Asheville, North Carolina.

Penn State flips commitment of 2025 Ohio defensive back

Penn State r received a commitment from 2025 three-star Ohio defensive back

Penn State received some positive recruiting news to kick off its bye week on Monday afternoon when three-star 2025 Ironton (Ohio) defensive back [autotag]Josh Johnson[/autotag] announced his commitment to the Nittany Lions. Johnson committed initially to Louisville this summer but reopened his recruitment following an official visit to Penn State in June.

The six-foot-three defensive back had visited State College numerous times throughout his recruitment and became close with the staff and current players.

“They have one of the best defenses in college football right now,” Johnson said. “I feel like my relationship with the staff at PSU is great. I talk to a lot of people over there daily. I really love the energy when I’m there.”

Johnson is rated as a three-star by 247Sports, the No. 90 cornerback in the 2025 class and the No. 39 player in Ohio. The 247Sports Composite rankings have Johnson as the No. 83 cornerback nationally.

Due to his size, Penn State recruited Johnson as a cornerback, but he can move to safety if needed. Penn State’s 2025 class already has [autotag]Daryus Dixson[/autotag], [autotag]Jahmir Joseph[/autotag] and [autotag]Xxavier Thomas[/autotag] at cornerback. [autotag]Braswell Thomas[/autotag] is also a part of the class at safety.

https://twitter.com/Josh_Makai9/status/1845950628419588566

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Wisconsin class of 2025 defensive lineman reacts to Badgers big win over Rutgers

Wisconsin class of 2025 defensive lineman reacts to Badgers big win over Rutgers

Wisconsin class of 2025 defensive line commit Wilnerson Telemaque chimed in on social media following UW’s big 42-7 win over Rutgers on Saturday.

Telemaque, who offered his pledge to Wisconsin’s program back in June, shared a photo of Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell during his days at St. Francis DeSales High School in Columbus, Ohio.

It’s safe to say the 6-foot-6 prospect was pleased with what Wisconsin did on both sides of the ball in New Jersey. UW totaled over 500 yards of offense and held Rutgers to just one score — which arrived early in the fourth quarter off a 13-yard rush.

Wisconsin’s defensive unit recorded five pass deflections, one interception and two tackles for loss on the day. Despite not recording a sack, the Badgers contained Rutgers to just 271 total yards of offense, including a meager 103 yards through the air.

Telemaque is poised to join that unit next fall. The three-star defensive lineman chose the Badgers over other finalists Georgia Tech and West Virginia and is 247Sports’ No. 804 player in the class of 2025, No. 92  defensive lineman and No. 106 recruit from his home state of Florida.

He, alongside four-star defensive end Nicolas Clayton and three-star defensive end Torin Pettaway, are the sole defensive linemen to commit to UW’s program for the class of 2025. Wisconsin’s defensive tackle room is currently headlined by Curt Neal, Elijah Hills and Ben Barton.

Where does Penn State stand with 2025 recruit Josh Johnson?

Momentum is building for a possible Penn State commitment from a three-star safety who recently backed out of his ACC commitment.

This past weekend was huge for Penn State on the recruiting trail.

With them not having another game in Happy Valley until Nov. 2 against Ohio State, that made it just over a month that the Nittany Lions would host a home game after they welcomed in UCLA this past weekend.

Because of that, [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] and his staff used that as a time to get some of their 2025 flip targets on campus before the upcoming early signing day on Dec. 4, as many recruits around the country who were committed to programs elsewhere are starting to change their minds.

Penn State hosted four high-profile players, one of them being cornerback [autotag]Josh Johnson[/autotag] who looked like a lock to join this class before he shockingly committed to Louisville.

But following his trip to campus this past weekend, there is real momentum in the favor of the Nittany Lions as he announced on social media that he’s decommitted from the Cardinals to reopen his recruiting.

Things could move fast now.

Ryan Snyder of On3 already put in a prediction that the 6-foot-2, 185-pound three-star cornerback will now commit to Penn State. Franklin and the staff continued to stay in contact with him when he was committed elsewhere, never giving up despite the frustrating earlier decision. Johnson said he doesn’t want to drag out his recruitment further, so there is a real chance he could announce his decision in favor of the Nittany Lions very soon (subscription required).

Penn State thinks he can be a versatile member of their secondary, potentially having him start at cornerback before moving to safety later in his career when he fills out a bit more.

That would be huge since three-star safety Antonio Branch flipped from Penn State to Colorado that left a void in their class.

Getting Johnson on board would be huge, and based on this intel, it seems like the Nittany Lions might secure their first flip target coming out of this past weekend.

Wisconsin class of 2025 commit receives offer from top Big Ten rival

Wisconsin class of 2025 commit receives offer from top Big Ten rival

Wisconsin class of 2025 commit Nolan Davenport received an offer from Big Ten rival Michigan earlier this week.

Davenport committed to the Badgers back on June 6 after taking an official visit during the program’s busy May 31 weekend. He chose Wisconsin over other top contenders Missouri and Penn State — Missouri being the only other he took an official visit to (June 21).

Related: Wisconsin Badgers football class of 2025 commitment tracker

The three-star offensive tackle is currently ranked by 247Sports as the No. 716 player in the class of 2025, No. 54 offensive tackle and No. 27 recruit from his home state of Ohio.

Michigan extending this late offer is certainly noteworthy. It could signal that Davenport is regarded better than his recruiting ranking indicates. It also sees a premier national brand with excellent history at the position enter the fray — which sometimes can mean bad news for the Badgers.

Wisconsin will look to keep Davenport in its class of 2025 as the weeks and months pass before the class becomes official.

Luke Fickell’s class currently ranks No. 28 in the nation with 23 players committed. The group is a strong follow-up to a program-best class of 2024 output — one that has already made a significant on-field impact (CB Xavier Lucas, RB Darrion Dupree, OT Kevin Heywood).

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