Tag: Luke Fickell

Wisconsin football offers No. 2 cornerback in class of 2026

Wisconsin football offers No. 2 cornerback in class of 2026

The Wisconsin Badgers extended an offer to top class of 2026 cornerback prospect Khary Adams on Wednesday.

As the 2024 season winds down, UW’s recruiting staff continues to push the pedal in the class of 2026. Over the past few weeks, Wisconsin has offered four-star running back Jonathan Hatton Jr., four-star running back Amari Clemons and four-star quarterback Peyton Falzone.

Adams may be the most prestigious of all of Wisconsin’s offered prospects. At 6-foot-2, 175 pounds, Adams is considered the No. 37 player in the nation, No. 2 cornerback and No. 4 recruit for the class of 2026, per 247Sports.

The Towson, Maryland native has also filed offers from West Virginia, Virginia Tech, South Carolina, Pittsburgh, Penn State, Notre Dame, North Carolina Kentucky and Indiana.

Outside of defensive back, Adams also suits up at wide receiver for Loyola Blakefield High School. In 10 games this season, he has reeled in 28 catches for 497 receiving yards and six touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, he’s registered 39 total tackles, three interceptions and two tackles for loss.

The coveted recruit immediately becomes the highest-rated cornerback prospect on UW’s 2026 offer list, surpassing fellow four-star defender Victor Singleton.

As of Nov. 20, UW’s class of 2026 features two commitments — three-star iOL Benjamin Novak and three-star quarterback Jarin Mock.

Where Wisconsin’s class of 2025 ranks nationally after big-time flip of Jaylen Williams from Michigan

Where Wisconsin’s class of 2025 ranks nationally after big-time flip of Jaylen Williams from Michigan

Wisconsin made a significant move in the class of 2025 on Wednesday, flipping four-star defensive lineman Jaylen Williams from Big Ten rival Michigan.

Williams instantly becomes the second-highest-rated commit in the Badgers’ class of 2025. He trails only four-star linebacker Mason Posa, 247Sports’ No. 163 player in the class.

Related: Everything Luke Fickell said about the Phil Longo firing, Badgers’ offensive plan moving forward

The addition moves Luke Fickell’s 2025 group to 24 total commitments. His addition led to a sizable jump in the 247Sports national team rankings, rising from No. 29 up to No. 25.

That rise brought the class up to No. 9 in the new Big Ten, now trailing Ohio State (No. 2 overall), Oregon (No. 8), USC (No. 13), Michigan (No. 14), Penn State (No. 16), Washington (No. 18), Nebraska (No. 21) and Maryland (No. 24).

Importantly, Williams’ addition also brings Wisconsin’s Blue Chip Ratio (portion of four and five-star recruits in the overall class) to 29%.

Wisconsin’s class has been in flux with several recent additions (Williams, DL Drayden Pavey, TE Emmett Bork) and decommitments (DL Wilnerson Telemaque, LB Brenden Anes). Williams appears to be one of the program’s final moves in the class.

Attention will now turn to four-star QB Carter Smith, who was on campus for the Badgers’ game against Oregon and is now reportedly deciding between Wisconsin and Florida State.

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Badgers class of 2025 commit earns Kevin Stemke Award for top Wisconsin specialist

Badgers class of 2025 commit earns Kevin Stemke Award for top Wisconsin specialist

Wisconsin class of 2025 commit Erik Schmidt was named the 2024 recipient of the Kevin Stemke Award on Wednesday.

The award is presented annually to the top Wisconsin high school senior specialist — kicker or punter. Schmidt joins fellow in-state 2025 recruit Cooper Catalano to receive an honor from the Wisconsin Sports Network Senior Football Awards — Catalano who notably set the state record for tackles at the high school level in September.

Schmidt is widely considered one of the nation’s best kickers in the class, and is ranked as a five-star by Kohl’s. The outlet has Schmidt as the No. 1 punter in the nation and No. 8 kicker, per the Wisconsin Sports Network.

This season, Schmidt has converted 9-of-12 field goals and all 57 extra-point attempts. He also averaged over 45 yards per punt. Most notably, the Marquette University High School attendee drilled a 55-yard field goal in the 2024 playoffs.

The 6-foot-1 prospect committed to Wisconsin in late June over walk-on opportunities at Notre Dame, Boston College and Michigan. He projects to join a specialist group currently headlined by kicker Nathanial Vakos and punter Atticus Bertrams.

Based off his recruiting profile, he won’t take long to contribute for Luke Fickell’s program.

BREAKING: Wisconsin flips top Michigan class of 2025 DL commit

BREAKING: Wisconsin flips Michigan top class of 2025 DL commit

Wisconsin landed a commitment from class of 2025 defensive lineman Jaylen Williams on Wednesday.

Williams had committed to Michigan in June. He flips to Wisconsin, instantly becoming one of the program’s highest-ranked commits in its class of 2025.

Related: Everything Luke Fickell said about the Phil Longo firing, Badgers’ offensive plan moving forward

247Sports ranks the four-star defensive lineman as the No. 279 player in the class of 2025, No. 28 defensive lineman and No. 7 recruit from the state of Illinois. His extended offer sheet, now likely irrelevant, includes top programs Florida, Florida State, Miami, Ohio State, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas A&M and USC.

Williams is Wisconsin’s 24th commitment in the class of 2025. The group is now approaching the nation’s top 25. It has a blue-chip percentage of 29%.

This is a much-needed positive headline for Wisconsin amid its ongoing difficulties, headlined by the recent firing of offensive coordinator Phil Longo. Defensive line is a position the program has worked hard to address in this class. With Williams, the group has four players at the position committed.

Luke Fickell and the Badgers staff have flipped multiple highly touted recruits from Big Ten rivals. Williams joins DL Drayden Pavey (Purdue) and tight end Emmett Bork (Michigan State). He is one of what could be several finishing touches to the class. Focus will turn to uncommitted quarterback Carter Smith, who is reportedly deciding between Wisconsin and Florida State.

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Kickoff time, TV channel for Wisconsin Badgers’ Week 14 game vs. Minnesota

Kickoff time, TV channel for Wisconsin Badgers Week 14 game vs Minnesota

This story was updated to add new information.

The Wisconsin Badgers will play host to the Minnesota Golden Gophers at noon ET, 11 a.m. CT on Nov. 29.

The Week 14 contest will mark Wisconsin’s ninth and final Big Ten game of the 2024 season: The first eight were at USC (a 38-21 loss), vs. Purdue (a 52-6 win), at Rutgers (a 42-7 win), at Northwestern (a 23-3 win), vs. Penn State (a 28-13 loss), at Iowa (a 42-10 loss), vs. Oregon (a 16-13 loss) and at Nebraska (Nov. 23). The game against the Golden Gophers will be televised nationally on CBS.

After firing offensive coordinator Phil Longo on Nov. 17, Wisconsin could head back to Madison for the Nov. 29 contest with a 5-6 mark if it drops the Week 13 game at Nebraska. If that’s the case, the Badgers’ 23-year bowl game streak would be in jeopardy.

Minnesota, meanwhile, is on an opposite trajectory. The Golden Gophers are 6-4 and seventh in the 18-team Big Ten conference. Unexpected victories over USC and No. 24 Illinois have altered the course of Minnesota’s season.

In Wisconsin’s last game against its bitter rival, the Badgers won 28-14 in Minneapolis. UW is 3-3 in its last six games against Minnesota dating to 2018.

On Monday, coach Luke Fickell indicated redshirt sophomore Braedyn Locke will take snaps as UW’s quarterback for the rest of the season. He may be required to play a nearly perfect game if the Badgers enter Week 14 in need of the coveted sixth win of the season.

Wisconsin class of 2025 cornerback commit upgraded to four-star recruit

Wisconsin class of 2025 cornerback commit upgraded to four-star recruit

Rivals elevated Wisconsin Badgers class of 2025 cornerback commit Jahmare Washington to a four-star recruit on Tuesday.

Washington, who committed to UW’s program on June 9, was considered a three-star recruit at the time of his announcement. Rivals, one of the big four recruiting outlets alongside ESPN, 247Sports and On3, boosted his recruiting profile on Tuesday.

The move makes sense. In seven games as a senior at Morgan Park High School in Chicago, Illinois, Washington has registered 33 total tackles and four interceptions on the defensive side of the ball. He has also snatched four passes for 58 receiving yards and two touchdowns at wide receiver.

Back when he was contemplating his collegiate decision, the cornerback chose UW over other top offers from Indiana, Iowa State, Kansas State and Michigan State.

Wisconsin’s class of 2025 now includes eight four-star commits, per Rivals. Washington joins offensive lineman Hardy Watts, defensive end Nicolas Clayton, wide receiver Eugene Hilton Jr., linebacker Mason Posa, offensive lineman Logan Powell, offensive lineman Cam Clark and defensive back Jaimier Scott as 2025 Badger commits to hold that honor.

Wisconsin football offers Virginia Tech commit, top class of 2026 quarterback

Wisconsin football offers Virginia Tech commit, top class of 2026 quarterback

The Wisconsin Badgers extended an offer to top class of 2026 quarterback Peyton Falzone on Sunday.

The 6-foot-5, 200-pound prospect joins three-star Ryan Hopkins as notable quarterback recruits for the class of 2026 to receive offers from Wisconsin over the past month. And, like fellow 2026 recruit Jonathan Hatton Jr., Falzone announced his collegiate decision last summer.

However, Falzone’s decision to commit to Virginia Tech appears nowhere near finalized. Despite offering his pledge in late June, the Nazareth, Pennsylvania product looks like he could flip his decision before beginning his college career in 2026.

On3’s recruiting prediction machine deems Falzone’s choice as amendable. The outlet currently projects the Penn State Nittany Lions to land the pass-thrower with over a 37.3% likelihood. Syracuse, at 32.6%, also holds a higher chance than the Hokies do at this stage of the process.

Another plus for the Badgers — only seven programs are listed on Falzone’s offer sheet. That list includes Virginia Tech, Penn State, Syracuse, Kent State, Lehigh and Bucknell, per 247Sports.

247Sports currently considers the junior as the No. 195 overall prospect, No. 16 quarterback and No. 5 recruit from his home state of Pennsylvania for the class of 2026. On3, ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports all consider Falzone a four-star prospect.

Outside of Penn State, Wisconsin holds the most alluring situation for a player hungry to showcase his prowess at a Power 4 university. While the 2024 Badgers haven’t looked as powerful as they did a decade ago, the atmosphere, attention and potential to succeed rivals just one university on his offer sheet as of Nov. 19.

Falzone’s situation is one to monitor before he is tasked with officially signing down the line.

Wisconsin stands in the way of Nebraska extending a record losing streak

Wisconsin stands in the way of Nebraska extending a record losing streak

The stakes are high for the Wisconsin Badgers (5-5, 3-4 Big Ten) road matchup against rival Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-5, 2-5 Big Ten) on Saturday.

Both teams enter the game at 5-5, needing just one more win to clinch bowl eligibility.

Related: Everything Luke Fickell said about the Phil Longo firing, Badgers’ offensive plan moving forward

Normally, that would be enough stakes alone. But how each team has reached this point is significant to note.

Wisconsin was 5-2 through seven games after a win over Northwestern capped an impressive three-game winning streak. The season has somewhat tanked since then, with demoralizing losses to Penn State, Iowa and Oregon, respectively.

The Badgers fired offensive coordinator Phil Longo after the latest loss, signaling the current state of affairs in year two of the Luke Fickell era. Overall, the program is far from where many expected it to be.

The Nebraska side is somehow even worse. The Cornhuskers were 5-1 to start the year, headlined by a big win over Colorado. They appeared to be at the start of a resurgence in year two under Matt Rhule.

Since that point: 56-7 loss to Indiana, 21-17 loss to Ohio State, 27-20 loss to UCLA and 28-20 loss to USC. Nebraska brings a four-game losing streak into Saturday’s matchup.

That four-game losing streak means a bit more to Nebraska than Wisconsin’s losing streak does to its program. Nebraska has not made a bowl game since 2016. It is now a whopping 0-9 in games with bowl eligibility on the line during that time, including now 0-8 under Rhule — 0-4 in 2023, 0-4 in 2024.

The FBS record for consecutive losses with bowl eligibility at stake is 10 (Mike MacIntyre and Colorado from 2017-18 and Lou Holtz at South Carolina from 2002-04). Another loss for Rhule would bring him within one defeat of the record. Losses to both Wisconsin and Iowa to close the season would bring him to that mark.

That’s what Wisconsin has to play for on Saturday, other than the famous Freedom Trophy — that Nebraska has yet to possess. With a win, the Badgers would put Nebraska in a record category of programs to lose 10 straight games with bowl eligibility at stake. With a loss, Wisconsin would forever be the team that ended that record bowl drought.

There are larger Fickell vs. Rhule implications after both were high-profile hires before the 2023 season. But that conversation can wait until postgame. Just note: coaches that lose nine or ten straight games with bowl eligibility on the line usually don’t stick around for very long.

Wisconsin and Nebraska will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET, 2:30 p.m. CT from Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.

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Wisconsin Badgers all-time winningest quarterback offers advice to Braedyn Locke

Wisconsin Badgers all-time winningest quarterback offers advice to Braedyn Locke

Wisconsin’s all-time winningest quarterback, Joel Stave, offered candid advice to current Badgers starter Braedyn Locke on Tuesday.

Stave was asked during a radio interview what he’d say to Locke about how he should handle ongoing criticism amid the Badgers’ rough stretch of play.

Here’s what Stave told host Jim Rutledge:

“The big thing is do everything you can to ignore the noise,” Stave said. “Focus on you. Focus on what you can control. It’s been a tough year. There have certainly been some high points, (and) there have obviously been some low points, too. He’s played a tough, tough schedule. I think he does have a lot of positive things to draw back on, but it’s ignoring anything that’s not focused on the team.”

Here is his full answer:

Stave represented Wisconsin from 2011-15 and left Madison with a 31-10 record as a starter. The 31 victories made him the winningest quarterback in program history, and his .756 win percentage is No. 3 among UW quarterbacks all time, per Wisconsin athletics.

As a starter, Stave experienced excellence for Wisconsin football. He played in three bowl games and captured Offensive MVP honors in the 2015 Holiday Bowl.

Locke, meanwhile, has struggled this season, leading some fans to call for true freshman Mabrey Mettauer to suit up under center for the remainder of the season,

In nine games as a redshirt sophomore, Locke has completed 129 pass attempts for 1,514 yards, nine touchdowns and nine interceptions. He has 10 turnovers in seven starts since taking over for Tyler Van Dyke against Alabama.

Stave’s comments come at the perfect time for Locke. After completing 12 of 28 passes for 96 yards, one touchdown and one interception in UW’s loss to No. 1 Oregon on Nov. 16, the critics have grown louder.

UW is tasked with defeating Nebraska on Nov. 23 in Lincoln. If the program wishes to reach its 23rd straight bowl game, Locke needs to protect the ball and drown out the noise.

Wisconsin class of 2025 OL commit named Central Region Offensive Player of the Year

Wisconsin class of 2025 OL commit named Central Region Offensive Player of the Year

Wisconsin class of 2025 offensive line commit Logan Powell was named AIA 6A Conference Central Region Offensive Player of the Year on Tuesday.

Powell, who committed to Wisconsin on June 1, pocketed the honor following his final season at Brophy College Preparatory in Phoenix, Arizona. Given his position and inability to record traditional offensive statistics such as passing, receiving, or rushing yardage, the distinction is all the more impressive.

Brophy went 9-2 during the 2023-24 season and is considered the fifth-best high school team in Arizona, per MaxPreps.

Powell committed to Wisconsin over notable programs such as Alabama, Arizona State, Oklahoma and Tennessee this summer. In total, he received nearly 30 offers, and other suitors outside of his top batch included Michigan, Kansas State, Oregon, Texas A&M, USC and Washington State.

Powell is currently 247Sports’ No. 373 player in the class of 2025, No. 24 offensive tackle and No. 4 recruit from his home state of Arizona. He was Wisconsin’s third blue-chip commit in of the 2025 cohort and twelfth overall player to offer his commitment. That class is now up to 23 total commits and six blue-chip players.

Powell also possesses a background as a three-sport athlete in football, basketball and baseball. 247Sports’ national recruiting analyst Greg Biggins believes Powell a high-major Power 4 recruit with potential to land in the NFL.