Tag: Cole Dakovich

Breaking Down Wisconsin’s 2020 Signing Class

Taking a closer look at how Wisconsin’s 2020 recruiting class breaks down by position and by state.

MADISON, Wis. – After signing 19 scholarship players and two walk-ons during the early signing period in December the Badgers saw their scholarship class officially grow to 20 players while adding four more preferred walk-ons to the program during national signing day on Wednesday. The Badgers class ranks 25th by 247 Sports, 26th by ESPN, and 27th nationally by Rivals.

Here’s an overview of the class. Click the player’s name for a more in-depth breakdowns on that specific player.

Scholarship Commits by State

Arizona (1): Malik Reed

Colorado (1): Max Lofy

Hawaii (1): Nick Herbig

Illinois (1): Dylan Barrett

Massachusetts (1): Cam Large

Michigan (1): Jordan Turner

Minnesota (2): Kaden Johnson, Aaron Witt

New Jersey (1): Jalen Berger

North Carolina (1): Devin Chandler

Ohio (1): James Thompson

Pennsylvania (1): Preston Zachman

Tennessee (1): Isaac Smith

Wisconsin (7): Ben Barten, Tanor Bortolini, Cole Dakovich, Chimere Dike, Cade McDonald, Jack Nelson, Trey Wedig

Commits By Projected Position

QB: None

RB: Jalen Berger

WR: Devin Chandler, Chimere Dike, Isaac Smith

TE: Cole Dakovich, Cam Large

OL: Dylan Barrett, Ben Barten, Tanor Bortolini, Jack Nelson, Trey Wedig

DL: Cade McDonald, James Thompson Jr.

ILB: Malik Reed, Jordan Turner, Preston Zachman

OLB: Nick Herbig, Kaden Johnson, Aaron Witt

DB: Max Lofy

Specialists: None

UW walk-ons: Inside Linebacker Ross Gengler, Offensive Lineman Kerry Kodanko, Long Snapper Duncan McKinley, Outside Linebacker Riley Nowakowski, Offensive Lineman Sean Timmis, Kicker Jack Van Dyke

Breaking Down Wisconsin’s 2020 Signing Class

Taking a closer look at how the 2020 recruiting class came together and where each player projects to play.

MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin football officially announced 19 scholarship players and two preferred walk-ons in its 2020 signing class during the early signing period on Wednesday. The Badgers class ranks 26th nationally by both ESPN and 247 Sports and 32nd by Rivals.

Here’s an overview of the class. Click the player’s name for a more in-depth breakdowns on that specific player.

Scholarship Commits by State

Arizona (1): Malik Reed

Colorado (1): Max Lofy

Hawaii (1): Nick Herbig

Illinois (1): Dylan Barrett

Massachusetts (1): Cam Large

Michigan (1): Jordan Turner

Minnesota (2): Kaden Johnson, Aaron Witt

North Carolina (1): Devin Chandler

Ohio (1): James Thompson Jr.

Pennsylvania (1): Preston Zachman

Tennessee (1): Isaac Smith

Wisconsin (7): Ben Barten, Tanor Bortolini, Cole Dakovich, Chimere Dike, Cade McDonald, Jack Nelson, Trey Wedig

Commits By Projected Position

QB: None

RB: None

WR: Devin Chandler, Chimere Dike, Isaac Smith

TE: Cole Dakovich, Cam Large

OL: Dylan Barrett, Ben Barten, Tanor Bortolini, Jack Nelson, Trey Wedig

DL: Cade McDonald, James Thompson Jr.

ILB: Malik Reed, Jordan Turner, Preston Zachman

OLB: Nick Herbig, Kaden Johnson, Aaron Witt

DB: Max Lofy

Specialists: None

UW walk-ons: Long Snapper Duncan McKinley, Offensive Lineman Sean Timmis

Wisconsin Signing Class Preview – Cole Dakovich

Wisconsin received Cole Dakovich’s national letter of intent as part of the early signing period on Wednesday.

With the early signing period for high school football players beginning on December 18, Badgers Insider takes a closer look at the recruits that signed with the Wisconsin football program.

In this edition, we examine Catholic Memorial (Waukesha, WI) High School tight end Cole Dakovich.

Note: All notes and stats provided by uwbadgers.com

Dakovich chose Wisconsin over other Offers from: Wisconsin was Dakovich’s lone scholarship offer

Dakovich’s High School Accolades: Three–star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals…Led Catholic Memorial to pair of Wisconsin state titles as a junior and senior…First–team all–state by Wisconsin Football Coaches Association as a senior in 2019…Also played basketball and competed in track and field

Dakovich’s Impact as a Badger: For Dakovich it was hard to beat an in-state offer from Wisconsin. Instead of allowing his recruitment to play out and see what other schools might offer it took him five days to jump on his lone scholarship as he was also receiving interest from Iowa and Purdue.

Dakovich played on both sides of the football for Catholic Memorial as he helped guide the Crusaders to a Division 4 State title this past season. Dakovich is projected to play tight end for the Badgers as he finished his senior season with 28 receptions for 297 yards and two touchdowns.

Dakovich is listed at 6’5″ and 225 pounds as he didn’t start playing football until his junior season meaning their is still a lot of potential left for tight ends coach Mickey Turner to work with in order to maximize Dakovich’s potential.

Due to his frame Dakovich provides a large catch radius in the passing game. What also helps him is that he has also played for the Crusaders basketball program, which translates well to him playing the tight end position.

In addition, with Dakovich also playing outside linebacker it should allow for him to be physical in the blocking game. Considering, the quickest way for Dakovich to get on the field for Wisconsin is showing he’s capable of blocking and helping create running lanes.

Dakovich has the skill set to succeed in this area but Wisconsin does demand a lot out of their tight ends in this area. Making it important that when he does arrive on campus that he gets in the weight room and gains the necessary strength to hold up in blocking.

Dakovich will add to the depth at the tight end position as the Badgers were hit hard with injuries during the 2019 season at the position. Dakovich likely won’t be needed as a true freshman but with how important the tight ends are to Wisconsin’s offense if he proves to be a capable blocker and receiver he’ll be able to carve out a role for himself early on in his career.