Tag: Wisconsin football

Wisconsin in line to land top class of 2025 quarterback Carter Smith

Wisconsin in line to land top class of 2025 quarterback Carter Smith

Wisconsin’s race for top-ranked class of 2025 quarterback Carter Smith just took quite the unexpected turn.

On Thursday evening, four-star class of 2025 quarterback Kevin Sperry flipped his commitment from Oklahoma to Florida State. The four-star had originally committed to Oklahoma back in March 2023.

The choice should directly impact Wisconsin’s pursuit of Carter Smith, who remains uncommitted. It was thought that Wisconsin and Florida State were in a two-team race to land the top quarterback’s commitment.

Florida State adding Sperry could signal the end of that recruiting battle. Insiders agree — after On3’s Steve Wiltfong predicted Smith to land with the Seminoles just one week ago, he’s since flipped that prediction to Wisconsin.

Additionally, 247Sports Florida State insider Zach Blostein released a crystal ball prediction on Thursday for Smith to land with the Badgers. As time passes, more and more signals point to that outcome.

These updates all follow Smith taking an official visit to Wisconsin during its recent game against No. 1 Oregon.

This entire scenario began after class of 2025 QB Tramell Jones decommitted from Florida State and opened a spot in the Seminoles’ recruiting class. Now, that door appears closed for good.

247Sports considers Smith the No. 164 overall recruit in the class of 2025, the No. 15 quarterback and the No. 26 prospect in his home state of Florida. If Smith commits to UW, he would become the Badgers’ highest-rated high school quarterback commit since Graham Mertz in 2019.

Wisconsin potentially winning this recruiting battle has added significance after the program fired offensive coordinator Phil Longo last Sunday.

The move off of Longo will likely be followed by the departure of several quarterbacks off the roster, as they were hand-picked to run his air raid offense. The addition of Smith is a strong signal that the unit is headed in the right direction, regardless of who is hired as offensive coordinator this offseason.

UW’s current class of 2025 quarterback room includes three-star Landyn Locke — brother to the Badgers’ current starting quarterback Braedyn Locke.

Former Wisconsin linebacker records game-changing strip-sack in Steelers loss to Browns

Former Wisconsin linebacker records game-changing strip-sack in Steelers loss to Browns

Former Wisconsin linebacker Nick Herbig made his presence felt in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 24-19 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Thursday.

Herbig stepped up when it mattered most as a blizzard roared on at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio. With just over seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the UW alumnus strip-sacked Browns quarterback Jameis Winston near Cleveland’s 20-yard line to flip possession in favor of Pittsburgh.

Fellow Wisconsin alumnus Russell Wilson would help the Steelers capitalize on Herbig’s huge play with a 23-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Calvin Austin III. In the blink of an eye, Pittsburgh turned an 18-13 deficit in a 19-18 edge.

Here’s the full play:

Winston would ultimately lead the Browns on a nine-play, 45-yard scoring drive capped by a rushing touchdown from Nick Chubb. After that sequence, the score remained 24-19 in favor of Cleveland for the remainder of the contest.

Regardless of the outcome, Herbig played extremely well. The former Badger tallied five tackles, two QB hits and the strip-sack. His season-long numebers are now up to 15 total tackles, 3.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.

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.

Nebraska rules out starting cornerback for game vs. Wisconsin Badgers

Nebraska rules out starting cornerback for game vs. Wisconsin Badgers

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule announced on Thursday that starting cornerback Tommi Hill will miss the final two games of the 2024 regular season.

The first of those two games is Saturday, Nov. 23 against the Wisconsin Badgers.

Related: Ranking the biggest storylines entering Wisconsin’s Week 13 game at Nebraska

Hill has been battling a foot injury for the majority of the 2024 season. He played through it for an extended period, including during Nebraska’s last two games against UCLA and USC, respectively.

“Everything’s a collaboration, but I can’t put him out there anymore,” Rhule said during his press conference on Thursday. “[Tommy Hill] cares about his teammates and wants to be out there, but he’s only hurting himself and giving up touchdowns.”

Hill has recorded 21 tackles, one interception and one pass deflection through seven appearances in 2024. Those numbers are all a big drop from his production as Nebraska’s top cornerback in 2023 — 26 tackles, four interceptions and nine pass deflections.

As Rhule noted, the veteran cornerback has struggled at times this season while battling through the lingering foot injury. Rhule noted that he expects younger players to contribute in Hill’s absence both on Saturday against Wisconsin and in Week 14 against Iowa.

The veteran cornerback will now look to get healthy before the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl and NFL draft process.

Nebraska enters Saturday’s matchup allowing 210.9 passing yards per game, including 259 to USC and new quarterback Jayden Maiava in the Cornhuskers’ Week 12 loss.

Wisconsin, meanwhile, needs an offensive boost after scoring just 36 total points over the team’s last three games — losses to Penn State, Iowa and Oregon, respectively. The Badgers fired offensive coordinator Phil Longo after the latest loss.

Hill’s injury may not completely change Saturday’s game, but it is a variable to consider when QB Braedyn Locke and the Badgers passing offense looks for its best performance in a month.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

Former Wisconsin linebacker discusses breakout season with Eagles

Former Wisconsin linebacker discusses breakout season with Eagles

Former Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Zack Baun shared some insight on his breakout season with NFL Network’s Good Morning Football on Wednesday.

After registering a game-best 15 tackles in the Philadelphia Eagles’ win over the Washington Commanders on Nov. 14, Baun was named the NFC’s Defensive Player of the Week for Week 10.

While it was just one performance, the game served as a microcosm for his dominant 2024 season with the Eagles.

After playing four seasons with the New Orleans Saints from 2020-2023, Baun has assumed off-the-ball linebacker duties in Philadelphia. That change has led to Baun finding dominant form.

Through 10 games, Baun has recorded 102 total tackles, three forced fumbles and three sacks for Vic Fangio’s defensive unit. The West Bend, Wisconsin native spoke on how he’s found success in the new role.

“I was a receiver at West Bend East, then I was a quarterback at Brown Deer and an outside linebacker at Wisconsin,” Baun said. “It’s been the transitions all throughout that have helped me make this transition off the ball. The transition is nothing new for me. I’m just a football player. I love football, and I love the game. If I’m out there, I’m trying to be the best and do the best.”

At this trajectory, Baun will be an All-Pro at the linebacker position. He ranks fifth in the NFL in total tackles and is unquestionably the most impactful player on the Eagles’ defense.

At 8-2, the Eagles lead the NFC East and don’t appear to be slowing down. They will face a hungry Los Angeles Rams team on Nov. 24 on Sunday Night Football.

How Oregon used Wisconsin’s ‘Jump Around’ tradition as late-game motivation in narrow win

How Oregon used Wisconsin’s ‘Jump Around’ tradition as late-game motivation in narrow win

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning used an unorthodox approach in motivating his team for its game against Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium on Nov. 16.

Throughout the Ducks’ week of preparation, Lanning routinely played House of Pain’s ‘Jump Around’ to pump up his team. In Oregon’s team meeting to begin the week, Lanning bluntly opened with a message surrounding how his team should manage the moment.

“They think it will evoke a response from you, right,” Lanning asked his players. “In this game, and throughout this week, you’re going to hear this song, and it’s going to release dopamine in your mind. It’s gonna tell you that you are hungry to go eat. Whenever we hear this, I want our temperature to change. I want the temperature of the room to change. When you hear it at practice, I want you to say to yourselves, **** is about to get serious.”

That type of assessment is something Lanning has fully embraced while in Eugene, Oregon. The former defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Georgia is one of the best motivators across the college football landscape.

That intensity also appears to be working with this version of the Ducks.

“I don’t want you to be relaxed in that moment,” Lanning said. “I want you to start jumping around. I want you guys to enjoy the moment. When it shows up, take advantage of it. Turn that switch in your mind.”

That’s exactly what Oregon’s entire squad did at Camp Randall. When the student section race ended and the House of Pain’s tune began, players could be seen jubilant on the sidelines.

Oregon faced a 4th-and-9 from Wisconsin’s 41-yard-line trailing 13-6 during the quarter break. The Ducks outscored the Badgers 10-0 from there on out, starting with a critical fourth-down conversion on the first play of the quarter.

In a tough atmosphere, the Ducks’ mentality and ability to capitalize late in the contest proved the difference.

Oregon now looks like they will enter the College Football Playoff as the No. 1 seed. The Badgers, meanwhile, are in dire need of a reboot after firing offensive coordinator Phil Longo.

The Badgers’ first chance for a forward step comes on Saturday at Nebraska.

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 LB commit named Wisconsin’s top senior linebacker

Badgers class of 2025 LB commit named Wisconsin’s top senior linebacker

Wisconsin class of 2025 linebacker commit Cooper Catalano was named the 2024 recipient of the John Anderson Award on Wednesday.

The honor annually recognizes the most outstanding senior linebacker in Wisconsin. Catalano, who committed to UW’s program nearly one year ago, was the obvious choice for the honor.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound game-wrecker registered 178 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks, one fumble recovery, three forced fumbles and three interceptions for Germantown High School this season. On top of that, he became Wisconsin’s all-time career tackles leader in late September after he recorded tackle No. 463 with the program.

Since that point, he’s added over 100 more tackles to his total.

247Sports considers Catalano the No. 894 overall recruit, No. 92 linebacker and No. 7 recruit from the state of Wisconsin for the class of 2025. He earned offers from the likes of Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas, and Michigan State before ultimately deciding to join the Badgers.

Outside Catalano, two other class of 2025 linebackers have committed to Wisconsin — four-star Mason Posa and three-star Samuel Lateju.

The award is named after John Anderson, a former Waukesha South star in the 1970s who became the Green Bay Packers’ all-time leader in tackles before his retirement in 1989.

Report: Wisconsin quarterback to enter transfer portal

Report: Wisconsin quarterback to enter transfer portal

Wisconsin redshirt freshman quarterback Cole LaCrue is expected to enter the transfer portal, according to On3’s Pete Nakos.

LaCrue, who committed to Wisconsin on Nov. 7, 2022, did not take a snap with UW in either 2023 or 2024. Following a season-ending injury to Miami transfer Tyler Van Dyke, LaCrue served as Wisconsin’s third-string quarterback this season behind Braedyn Locke and true freshman Mabrey Mettauer.

A native of Broomfield, Colorado, LaCrue departed Broomfield High School as a three-star recruit with offers from Wisconsin, Colorado, Central Michigan, South Dakota, Northern Colorado and Tulane. Roughly one week after receiving his offer from the Badgers, LaCrue committed to join the program.

LaCrue tossed 57 touchdowns at Bloomfield and compiled more than 6,000 yards in three varsity seasons. In 2022, his final year in high school, he threw for 2,647 passing yards and 26 touchdowns, per UW Athletics.

That same season, he led the Bengals to a 2022 Class 4A state title and was named Colorado 4A Player of the Year.

Wisconsin’s future at quarterback is unlikely to be on the current roster. The program’s decision to fire offensive coordinator Phil Longo may lead to a personnel overhaul. At the least, the new offensive coordinator will want to hand-pick a quarterback that fits the new scheme.

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.