Tag: offensive tackles

Wisconsin football offers top class of 2026 offensive tackle

Wisconsin football offers top class of 2026 offensive tackle

The Wisconsin Badgers extended an offer to top 150 class of 2026 prospect Carter Scruggs on Wednesday.

The college football recruiting cycle is truly nonstop. On Wisconsin’s early signing day for its class of 2025, the recruiting staff added yet another four-star recruit to its class of 2026 offer sheet.

Since the beginning of November, that impressive list of offers includes Scruggs, four-star cornerback Khary Adams, four-star running back Jonathan Hatton Jr., four-star running back Amari Clemons and four-star quarterback Peyton Falzone.

At 6-foot-6, 270 pounds, Scruggs is considered the No. 122 player in the nation, No. 11 iOL and No. 3 player from Virginia for the class of 2026.

His offer sheet is absolutely loaded. The 2026 talent has received offers from programs such as Oregon, Penn State, Georgia, Alabama, Clemson, Indiana, Michigan, South Carolina and USC.

Scruggs appears to be zeroed in on Penn State at this stage of his recruiting process. On3’s recruiting prediction machine has the Nittany Lions as a heavy favorite to land the four-star at over 86%, and three Rivals insiders have released forecasts projecting Scruggs to land in State College, PA.

Still, Wisconsin isn’t out of the race. The Badgers’ history with prioritizing the position provides them with some extra credibility, and their alumni speak for themselves.

As of Dec. 4, UW’s class of 2026 features two commitments — three-star iOL Benjamin Novak and three-star quarterback Jarin Mock.

Rivals upgrades Wisconsin class of 2025 OT commit to four-star recruit

Rivals upgrades Wisconsin class of 2025 OT commit to four-star recruit

Wisconsin class of 2025 offensive tackle commit Cam Clark was upgraded to a four-star recruit by Rivals this week.

Throughout his entire recruiting window, Clark was considered a three-star recruit by 247Sports, On3, ESPN and Rivals. The 6-foot-7, 275-pound tackle pledged his commitment to Wisconsin on April 25 over opportunities from Kentucky, Army, Kansas, Minnesota, Cincinnati, West Virginia and Duke. The Dexter, Michigan native visited the Badgers the weekend of June 7.

At the time of his decision, Clark was the ninth commitment of Luke Fickell’s class of 2025 and third offensive lineman. Following a heavy recruiting period in June and July, the number of future Badgers now lies at 23.

While some may consider the recruitment boost somewhat insignificant, the four-star rating is a welcome sign for position coach AJ Blazek and company. Given the program’s history in developing budding offensive lineman into future professionals, Clark’s offseason work ethic will fit right into what UW will attempt to accomplish on the offensive end upon his arrival.

Wisconsin 2025 OT commit earns MaxPreps second-team All-America honors

Wisconsin 2025 OT commit earns MaxPreps second-team All-America honors

Wisconsin football three-star class of 2025 offensive tackle commit Nolan Davenport was included on MaxPreps’ All-America second-team on Monday.

Davenport earned the recognition alongside fellow 2025 Wisconsin commit Erik Schmidt, who was named MaxPreps’ first-team punter. Davenport, a product of Washington High School in Ohio, joins 2025 linemen Elyiss Williams (Georgia), Andrew Babalola (uncommitted), Solomon Thomas (Florida State) and Michael Fasusi (uncommitted) on the second-team offensive line.

A total of 56 high schoolers from across the country earned a berth to this squad. Despite only being 247Sports’ No. 690-ranked overall recruit in the class, Davenport is part of a prestigious group.

The 6-foot-6, 260-pound tackle committed to Wisconsin in early June over opportunities at Missouri and Penn State.

At the time, Davenport was Wisconsin’s No. 14 overall commitment in the class. The Badgers group has since grown to 23 commitments. It currently ranks No. 25 in the nation at this late stage in the cycle.

Four-star OT Logan Powell, four-star iOL Hardy Watts, three-star OT Michael Roeske and three-star OT Cam Clark round out the group of offensive linemen currently committed to Luke Fickell’s class.

Former Wisconsin star offensive lineman makes NFL’s Cleveland Browns Mount Rushmore

Former Wisconsin star offensive lineman makes NFL’s Cleveland Browns Mount Rushmore

Former Wisconsin offensive tackle Joe Thomas was included in the NFL’s Mount Rushmore for all-time Cleveland Browns last week.

The 11-year Cleveland Brown and 2023 NFL Hall of Fame inductee earned a spot alongside Hall of Famers Otto Graham (QB), Jim Brown (RB) and Lou Groza (OT, C, DT, K). Thomas, one of the greatest offensive tackles of all time, is cemented among three of the most respected athletes in Cleveland sports history.

With the Badgers, Thomas was a first-team All-American team member in 2005 and 2006, recognized as the nation’s most outstanding interior lineman with the 2006 Outland Trophy and was a team captain and co-MVP as a senior in 2006.

He finished his collegiate tenure as the 2007 Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient and with back-to-back first-team All-Big Ten selections before declaring for the 2007 NFL draft.

Thomas played all 11 of his NFL seasons with the Cleveland Browns and was named to 10 Pro Bowls, six First-Team All-Pro honors and amassed an NFL record streak of 10,363 consecutive snaps.

The Brookfield, Wisconsin native retired in 2017, was named to UW’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019 and earned a spot in the Cleveland Browns’ Ring of Honor in 2023.

Wisconsin offers three-star class of 2026 OT Braden Wilmes

Wisconsin offers three-star class of 2026 OT Braden Wilmes

The Wisconsin Badgers extended an offer to three-star class of 2026 offensive tackle Braden Wilmes on Tuesday.

Wilmes becomes the latest 2026 target to receive an offer from UW, joining wide receivers Kennan and Jarod Pula, interior offensive lineman Samuel Simpson and athlete Sharroid Whitehead over the past few weeks.

The 6-foot-7, 280-pound athlete represents Lawrence Free State High School in Lawrence, Kansas. 247Sports’ composite ranking has Wilmes as the nation’s No. 33 offensive tackle, No. 7 recruit from Kansas and No. 445 recruit in the nation for the class of 2026.

Wilmes has already received offers from seven NCAA Division I programs. Iowa, Minnesota, Arkansas, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State and Wisconsin round out the list thus far.

247Sports has yet to release a crystal ball prediction, but On3’s recruiting prediction machine projects the OT to land at Iowa. Rivals, on the other hand, has the in-state Kansas Jayhawks as the front-runner.

Excluding Wilmes, Wisconsin has offered 16 offensive tackles for the class of 2026.

Current focus is on Fickell’s class of 2025, which current sits at No. 13 in the nation with 17 total commitments.

Wisconsin class of 2025 OT target Darrin Strey commits to Kentucky

Wisconsin class of 2025 OT target Darrin Strey commits to Kentucky

Wisconsin football class of 2025 offensive tackle target Darrin Strey committed to Kentucky on Sunday.

The three-star tackle chose the Wildcats over a laundry list of top contenders including the Stanford, Ole Miss, West Virginia, Rutgers, Oregon, Pittsburgh and Nebraska. His commitment comes on the heels of his official visit with the Wildcats.

Strey is 247Sports’ No. 504 player in the class of 2025, No. 41 offensive tackle and No. 8 recruit from his home state of Michigan.

Outside the gridiron, 6-foot-7, 300-pounder is a talented multi-sport athlete in both basketball and track team and is a power-lifter. Stray has been a member of Paw Paw High School’s varsity football team since his freshman year.

 

Wisconsin’s class of 2025 currently ranks No. 13 in the nation. Despite Strey’s decision, the group has four offensive tackles committed: three-star Cam Clark, three-star Michael Roeske, three-star Nolan Davenport, and four-star Logan Powell.

The Badgers’ class grew to 15 total commitments with yesterday’s addition of Jahmare Washington. It is sure to continue to grow as official visit season continues.

Wisconsin football fails to make final schools for 2025 four-star OT Rowan Byrne

Wisconsin football fails to make final schools for 2025 four-star OT Rowan Byrne

Wisconsin football class of 2025 offensive tackle target Rowan Byrne did not include the Badgers in his top six schools on Wednesday.

On Thursday, Byrne will choose between Clemson, Michigan State, Penn State, Texas A&M, Stanford and Florida State at 2:30 p.m. Eastern, per Rivals’ Adam Friedman.

Byrne will become the second 2025 offensive line target to commit elsewhere this week, joining three-star iOL N’Kye Wynn. The Badgers also missed out on four-star running back Bo Jackson, three-star WR Vernon Allen III, three-star LB Elliot Schaper and three-star RB Javin Gordon recently.

The New York product received an offer from UW back in May 2023. Of his 24 Division I offers, the most notable include Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Notre Dame, Texas A&M, Florida State and Clemson.

At 6-foot-6, 297 pounds, Byrne represents Iona Preparatory School in New Rochelle, NY. He is 247Sports’ No. 52 OT and No. 3 recruit from New York in his class.

Luke Fickell’s class of 2025 currently ranks No. 16 in the nation with 13 players committed. Wisconsin has already received commitments from four-star OT Logan Powell, three-star OT Michael Roeske and three-star OT Cam Clark thus far.

Wisconsin also secured commitments from top class of 2025 cornerback Rukeem Stroud alongside Powell over the weekend. Both Stroud and Powell made their decisions during official visits to Madison beginning May 31.

Detroit Lions Podcast | Bish & Brown: Offensive Tackle Preview

Detroit Lions Podcast | Bish & Brown: Offensive Tackle Preview for the 2024 NFL draft

Welcome to the Detroit Lions Podcast Bish & Brown Show! Today in an extra special bonus episode, Scott and Russ are making their thoughts known about the draft’s offensive tackle prospects.

It’s an interesting class at tackle. There are quite a few players who could fit what the Lions and GM Brad Holmes look for in Detroit.

When they’re done with an hour of that they give you to more prospects of the week at the wide receiver spot. These profiles are powered, as always, by Restore.

Ranking the AFC West by offensive tackle duos

Who has the best offensive tackle duo in the AFC West? Here’s now they stack up.

Protection. It can mean a lot in today’s game where quarterbacks are increasingly asked to stand in the pocket and scan the field while the receivers routes develop.

Some quarterbacks can get away with less than ideal protection if they are elusive. But even the best are at their best when they don’t have to improvise or deliver the ball before their preferred target breaks open.

And, remember, tackles must be able to run block as well. That means leading their man outside on an inside run, sealing the edge for and outside run, or getting to the second level on pitches and screens.

Let’s take a look at who is best set up for success at the tackle spots.

Saints’ Ryan Ramczyk ranked No. 11 offensive tackle around the NFL, 4th-best at RT

The New Orleans Saints’ Ryan Ramczyk was ranked the No. 11 offensive tackle around the NFL, but 4th-best at right tackle. Have we already seen his peak?

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More than a few New Orleans Saints have griped about Ryan Ramczyk after a down year in 2022, but the Saints’ right tackle is still very highly regarded at Pro Football Focus, where Gordon McGuinness ranked the top 32 offensive tackles in the NFL. Ramczyk has done well for himself since being picked in the first round out of Wisconsin and converting to a different position after starting his career at left tackle, and PFF ranked him the No. 11 offensive tackle around the league, writing:

We’ve probably already seen the peak of Ramczyk’s career, but the 29-year-old’s floor is still likely a top-five right tackle in 2023. Across six NFL seasons, his PFF pass-blocking and run-blocking grades have yet to drop below 70.0.

Among his fellow right tackles, Ramczyk placed behind Lane Johnson (No. 2 overall), Tristan Wirfs (No. 7), and Penei Sewell (No. 10). It’s tough to argue with Johnson and Wirfs, and Sewell is already playing as well as entrenched veterans so early in his own career. It’s not entirely a bad thing that Ramczyk is ranked lower than others when his competition is performing at such a high level.

But that’s not to say there aren’t things he can improve upon. Ramczyk’s durability has become a concern with shoulder, elbow, and knee injuries stacking up and limiting his practice availability during the season. Those ailments have also limited him to just 936 and 653 snaps on offense in each of the last two years. He needs to prove he can stay on the field and be an asset for this offense. Whether he’s preparing differently in the offseason or taking more precautions in training, this is something that should be an area of focus for Ramczyk and the Saints medical staff over the summer.

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