College football recruiting watchlist: USA TODAY Sports college wires weigh in on Class of 2023

USA TODAY Sports college wire editors share their thoughts about the most exciting prospect from some of the top Power Five programs in the country.

The Class of 2023 left the football recruiting world—and college fan bases—entranced for well over a year and a half, with high-profile names like Arch Manning creating significant buzz about their possible college landing spots.

The hype didn’t fall short on the field in 2022, either, as the top-tier crop  delivered consistently, adding to the excitement about one of the better classes in recent high school football history.

And now that the signing-period commotion is in the rearview, we know where the ’23 talents are headed to begin their college football careers, which introduces the other side of the recruiting tunnel.

To better grasp that part of the equation, we’ve turned to the USA TODAY Sports college wire writers who will be following the top recruits at Power Five schools in the SEC, Big Ten, Pac-12, ACC, and beyond in 2023.

Our question was simple: Who are you most excited to watch from the Class of 2023?

Here’s what they had to say…

A look at Wisconsin’s new quarterback room

A look at Wisconsin’s new quarterback room

Wisconsin has had an incredible month and change in the transfer portal, with the biggest overhaul coming in the quarterback room.

The Badgers landed not one, not two, but three former four-star quarterbacks in the portal, and now have one of the deepest rooms in the conference.

Myles Burkett and Chase Wolf are returning to the Badgers, and Wisconsin has 2024 quarterback Mabrey Mettauer coming in shortly.

After three big-time additions, including one transfer who has already put together a pair of top tier college seasons, the Badgers and new offensive coordinator Phil Longo have a good problem: too much depth.

Here is a look at everyone in the new Wisconsin quarterback room:

Get to know Wisconsin football’s 2023 class

Meet the 2023 Wisconsin class

The early signing period opened on Wednesday, and with it came 14 signees for the Badgers in the class of 2023.

Luke Fickell did a lot with only a little bit of time as the new Badger head coach landed significant flips, a big-time transfer quarterback, and kept a number of Badger targets in Madison who were offered by the previous era.

In total, Wisconsin has 14 signees and a key transfer coming into Madison this season. The signees range from west coast to east coast while unsurprisingly being heavily rooted in the midwest.

Here is a look at all 14 signees and the key transfer Wisconsin was able to lock in on Wednesday:

BREAKING: Wisconsin lands former four-star QB Nick Evers

The Badgers land a former four-star quarterback in the portal

On Saturday morning, Wisconsin capped off a monster recruiting week with the biggest early get of the Luke Fickell era.

The Badgers have officially landed Oklahoma transfer quarterback Nick Evers. The Flower Mound, Texas native was a consensus four-star recruit in the 2022 class and the No. 9 quarterback overall according to 247Sports.

The 6-foot-3 transfer only attempted one pass during his freshman season as a Sooner, as he sat behind UCF transfer Dillon Gabriel.

Evers originally committed to Florida before deciding to flip to Oklahoma. While he isn’t someone that plays a true dual-threat style, he gives Fickell a mobile quarterback who can extend plays and make things happen with his legs.

Evers announced the news on Twitter:

Here is a look at some of the best reaction from Wisconsin football Twitter and the national college football world:

Wisconsin offers 2024 four-star LB Kari Jackson

Wisconsin football offers a 2024 four-star LB out of Michigan:

Madison, Wis. – After an unofficial visit this past weekend, Jim Leonhard and his coaching staff extended a scholarship offer to 2024 four-star linebacker Kari Jackson out of West Bloomfield, Michigan. 

Per the 247Sports Composite, he’s the No. 282 overall prospect in the 2024 recruiting class, the No. 19 LB in the country, and the No. 6 player in Michigan.

UW joined Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Duke, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Louisville, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Ole Miss, Penn State, and Tennessee, among those who have extended early offers to Jackson.

Jackson, a standout at West Bloomfield High School, finished his junior season with 103 tackles, 26 TFLs, three sacks, three passes defended, and a forced fumble as a junior, according to MaxPreps.

You can watch his HUDL film here.

The Michigan native announced his scholarship offer from the University of Wisconsin via his Twitter account:

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Contact/Follow us @TheBadgersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin news, notes, opinion, and analysis. You can also follow Dillon Graff on Twitter @DillonGraff.

Wisconsin offers 2024 three-star S LeonTre Bradford

Wisconsin football offers a 2024 three-star S out of Illinois:

Madison, Wis. – On Friday, Jim Leonhard and his coaching staff extended a scholarship offer to 2024 three-star safety LeonTre Bradford out of East Saint Louis, Illinois. 

Per the 247Sports Composite, he’s the No. 507 overall prospect in the 2024 recruiting class, the No. 40 S in the country, and the No. 13 player in Illinois.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound S currently holds offers from Arkansas State, Illinois, Iowa State, Missouri, Nebraska, Ole Miss, and now, Wisconsin. 

Bradford, a standout at East Saint Louis High School, finished his junior season with 86 tackles, two sacks, one interception, and a touchdown as a junior, according to MaxPreps.

You can watch his HUDL film here

The Illinois native announced his scholarship offer from the University of Wisconsin via his Twitter account:

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Contact/Follow us @TheBadgersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin news, notes, opinion, and analysis. You can also follow Dillon Graff on Twitter @DillonGraff.

Wisconsin offers 2024 three-star DE Deyvid Palepale

Wisconsin football offers a 2024 three-star DE out of Pennslyvania:

Madison, Wis. – On Friday, Jim Leonhard and his coaching staff extended a scholarship offer to 2024 three-star defensive end Deyvid Palepale out of Landisville, Pennsylvania. 

Per 247 Sports, he’s the No. 39 DL in the country and the No. 18 player in Pennsylvania. 

The 6-foot-3, 288-pound DL currently holds offers from Penn State, Kentucky, Louisville, Maryland, Pittsburgh, Temple, Vanderbilt, and now, Wisconsin.

You can watch his HUDL film here

This scholarship marks the 6th known offer extended to a defensive lineman in the 2024 recruiting cycle.

The Pennsylvania native announced his scholarship offer from the University of Wisconsin via his Twitter account:

Contact/Follow us @TheBadgersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin news, notes, opinion, and analysis. You can also follow Dillon Graff on Twitter @DillonGraff.

2025 four-star small forward Davion Hannah talks Wisconsin recruitment

Wisconsin’s top-ranked in-state player in the 2025 recruiting class provides an update on where things stand with UW:

Madison, Wis. – It’s been a hell of a long-time since the University of Wisconsin signed a scholarship player from the city of Milwaukee – 2005, to be exact (Markus Landry). A trend that UW hopes to buck in the near future.

After impressing at Wisconsin basketball’s advanced camp this summer, Greg Gard and his coaching staff made four-star small forward Davion Hannah, out of Milwaukee (Wis.), the first scholarship offer of the 2025 recruiting cycle.

According to 247Sports, he is the No. 49 overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, the No. 11 SF in the country, and the No. 1 player in Wisconsin.

“The coaches and I at Wisconsin have a very strong and comforting relationship,” Hannah told BadgersWire. “Every time I speak with them, I get this welcoming feeling, and it feels like home.”

As a freshman, the 6-foot-5, 180-pound forward averaged 13.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per game on 55% shooting while playing for the Milwaukee Academy of Science.

Hannah already holds offers from Arizona State, LSU, Marquette, Mississippi State, and Wisconsin. He’s also heard from Iowa State, Minnesota, and Ohio State.

Assistant coach Sharif Chambliss is acting as the lead recruiter for the top 50 prospect and has been in regular contact with Hannah.

“Coach Sharif is the coach I talk to the most, and every time I speak with him, it’s like I’m speaking with someone I’ve known for years,” Hannah explained. “Wisconsin wants me to be a leader and have a big role on the team; every time I speak with the coaches, they tell me how much I can help the program.”

On the court, the Milwaukee native is a physical and versatile forward who can score from all three levels and play high-level defense on the perimeter. He’s especially good at slashing through the lane and finishing strong around the cup. Hannah has an excellent overall feel and basketball IQ.

It’s tough to project a young player’s ceiling, but there are quite a few similarities to former Badgers guard Johnny Davis. There is superstar potential here.

It’s incredibly early in the four-star prospects recruitment, but Hannah has already visited the campus three times and really likes what the Wisconsin coaching staff has to offer.

“Wisconsin feels like home; it’s an atmosphere that brings me happiness and comfort, and as I said before, the coaches already welcome me in like it’s home.”

When asked if he planned to take another visit to UW anytime soon, Hannah wrote back: “YES, for sure I LOVE visiting Madison; I’m in the middle of setting up another date soon.”

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Contact/Follow us @TheBadgersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin news, notes, opinion, and analysis. You can also follow Dillon Graff on Twitter @DillonGraff.

Wisconsin offers 2024 in-state tight end Rob Booker

Wisconsin football offers a new 2024 three-star TE out of Wisconsin:

On Saturday, Jim Leonhard and his coaching staff extended a scholarship offer to 2024 three-star tight end Rob Booker out of Waunakee, Wisconsin.

Per 247Sports, he’s the No. 28 TE in the country and the No. 7 player in Wisconsin.

The 6-foot-6, 215-pound TE holds offers from Iowa State, Kansas, Minnesota, Pittsburgh and Wisconsin.

You can watch his HUDL film here


Booker, a standout at Waunakee High School, has registered 16 receptions for 250 yards and six touchdowns this season, helping lead his team to a 10-0 record.

The in-state talent announced his scholarship offer from the University of Wisconsin via his Twitter account:

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Contact/Follow us @TheBadgersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin news, notes, opinion, and analysis. You can also follow Dillon Graff on Twitter @DillonGraff.

Wisconsin offers 2024 three-star LB Crews Law

Wisconsin football offers a new 2023 three-star LB out of Tennesee:

On Saturday, Jim Leonhard and his coaching staff extended a scholarship offer to 2024 three-star linebacker Crews Law out of Nashville, Tennessee.

Per the 247Sports Composite, he’s the No. 624 overall prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, the No. 41 LB in the country, and the No. 26 player in Tennesee.

The 6-foot-1, 205-pound LB currently holds offers from Appalachian State, Eastern Kentucky, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Tennessee Tech, and now, Wisconsin.

You can watch his HUDL film here

Law, a standout at CPA High School, has appeared in 23 varsity games over three seasons, registering 113 tackles, one sack, and one pass deflection, according to MaxPreps.

The Tennesee native announced his scholarship offer from the University of Wisconsin via his Twitter account:

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Contact/Follow us @TheBadgersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin news, notes, opinion, and analysis. You can also follow Dillon Graff on Twitter @DillonGraff.