Tag: wisconsin football recruiting

Wisconsin Badgers offer class of 2026 DL from New Jersey

Wisconsin Badgers offer class of 2026 DL from New Jersey

The Wisconsin Badgers football team extended an offer to class of 2026 defensive lineman Damari Simeon on Saturday.

The Badgers are the 13th Division 1 program to offer the Richland, New Jersey native. Wisconsin, Penn State and Rutgers are now the three Big Ten programs currently on his offer sheet.

The 6-foot-3, 275-pound defensive lineman has yet to receive a recruiting ranking from 247Sports, On3, or Rivals. He recently compiled 45 total tackles, 3.0 sacks, eight TFLs and one forced fumble over 10 games as a sophomore at St. Augustine Prep. A ranking is sure to follow as the class of 2026 cycle continues.

Wisconsin currently has one player committed to its class of 2026: three-star quarterback Jarrin Mock.

The program has undergone a culture change on the defensive side of the ball since Luke Fickell’s arrival as head coach. He and defensive coordinator Mike Tressel are still in the midst of implementing their 3-3-5 scheme. High school recruiting will be a major factor in how the unit performs as the years continue.

Former Wisconsin TE leads an unenthusiastic ‘Jump Around’ at Miami Dolphins training camp

Former Wisconsin leads an unenthusiastic ‘Jump Around’ at Miami Dolphins training camp

The Miami Dolphins training camp is well underway as the team prepares for the upcoming NFL season. Undrafted rookie and former Wisconsin Badgers tight end Hayden Rucci tried to add some fun to the camp on Thursday by bringing Madison, Wisconsin’s most famous tradition to the fans in Florida.

He used his opportunity on the microphone to attempt to lead Dolphins fans in Wisconsin’s ‘Jump Around’ celebration. It was a worthy effort, though wasn’t met with the enthusiasm that 90,000 fans at Camp Randall Stadium bring on a Saturday in the fall.

Rucci went undrafted in the 2024 NFL draft in April, but quickly found an opportunity with the Dolphins in early May. The tight end spent five years in Madison, redshirting in 2019 before seeing the field during in seasons from 2020-2023.

In his time with the Badgers, Rucci slowly worked his way up from being a depth option to a starter at tight end. Over his junior and senior seasons, he combined for 17 catches for 200 yards and a touchdown over 23 games.

Hopefully his chance at making the roster was not riding on the effectiveness of his rallying cry for ‘Jump Around.’

Wisconsin top class of 2025 recruit invited to All-American Bowl

Wisconsin football class of 2025 recruit invited to All-American Bowl

Wisconsin top class of 2025 commit four-star linebacker Mason Posa received an invitation to the 2025 All-American Bowl on Thursday. The event will take place in January ahead of Posa joining the Badgers.

Posa committed to Wisconsin on June 13, becoming the highest-rated recruit to pick Luke Fickell’s squad in 2025 to this point. The New Mexico native compiled 99 total tackles, including 7.0 sacks, while also adding two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception over 10 games in his junior season at Albuquerque La Cueva High School.

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Wisconsin went 7-6 in 2023 in year one with Luke Fickell at the helm as the program’s head coach and Mike Tressel as the team’s defensive coordinator.

Tressel’s side of the ball finished 38th overall in total defense, surrendering 344.0 yards per game. A primary issue was getting to the quarterback, finishing the year tied for 56th in the country with 29.0 sacks as a team.

In the offseason, there was a clear focus on acquiring playmakers in the linebackers room, grabbing players like Leon Lowery (Syracuse) and John Pius (William & Mary) in the transfer portal, while also bringing in a pair of linebackers in their class of 2024.

Top Wisconsin class of 2025 target receives crystal ball to Florida State

Top Wisconsin 2025 recruit receives 247Sports crystal ball prediction

Nicolas Clayton, a three-star class of 2025 edge rusher and top target for the Wisconsin Badgers football team, picked up a crystal ball prediction from 247Sports on Thursday.

Zach Blostein of Noles247 expects the Gainesville native to stay in his home state and commit to Florida State. Clayton announced Thursday via his X account that he plans to make his college commitment on Saturday, June 22 at 3 p.m. EDT, 2 p.m. CST.

The 6-foot-4, 205-pound athlete compiled 51 tackles, including eight for a loss, while recording 3 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery during his junior season at F.W. Buchholz High School.

In its class of 2025 so far, Wisconsin has received 20 commitments, including 12 defensive players. Most notably, the Badgers have reeled in four-star linebacker Mason Posa (Albuquerque, New Mexico) and three-star cornerback Rukeem Stroud (Tampa, Florida).

Considering Clayton’s proximity to Florida State, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he chose to become a Seminole, though Wisconsin shouldn’t be counted out quite yet.

Wisconsin lands commitment from brother of a current Badgers RB

Wisconsin lands commitment from brother of a current Badgers RB

The Wisconsin Badgers landed a commitment from preferred walk-on athlete Harry Bortolotti Jr. on Thursday. He is the younger brother of Badgers redshirt junior running back Grover Bortolotti and will join the program as a member of its class of 2025.

A Whitefish Bay native, Harry Bortolotti has experience playing on all three units, most notably at running back and defensive back. He’s a versatile athlete who will need to compete for a spot on the field at Wisconsin, but joining his brother in Madison will certainly be special.

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Luke Fickell and his impressive recruiting staff led by Pat Lambert (director of recruiting) and Max Stienecker (director of player personnel), have already reeled in 20 commitments in the class of 2025.

Wisconsin’s class of 2025 ranks 12th in the country by 247Sports, with four-star linebacker Mason Posa (Albuquerque, New Mexico) and four-star offensive lineman Logan Powell (Phoenix, Arizona) headlining the list of commitments.

Wisconsin a finalist to land the brother of a current Badgers WR

Wisconsin named a finalist by the brother of a current Badgers WR

Wisconsin was included in wide receiver Naeem Burroughs’ top 11 schools on Friday. The 5-foot-11 athlete is the younger brother of current Badgers redshirt sophomore wide receiver Quincy Burroughs, who is entering his second year in Madison.

Naeem Burroughs is a four-star player in the class of 2026. Burroughs’ final 11 list also included Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Miami, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Tennessee and USC.

Related: Wisconsin class of 2025 vaults up national rankings after addition of four-star WR Eugene Hilton Jr.

The four-star wide receiver is ranked as 247Sports’ No. 78 player in the class, No. 10 wide receiver and No. 10 recruit from his home state of Florida.

Burroughs reeled in 47 catches for 1,019 yards and 15 touchdowns during his sophomore season with The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida. Notable in-state teams to make his final 11 schools include Florida, Florida State and Miami.

On top of football, Burroughs has shown off his skills as a track athlete in his time in high school. He was a gold medal as a part of the 4×100 team at the Florida High School Athletic Association’s Class 2A meet in 2023, while also qualifying for regionals in the 100-meter dash.

With the familial connection, Wisconsin can be considered a favorite to remain in the mix for Burroughs as he narrows his options down the road.

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Top class of 2025 linebacker set for official visit with Wisconsin

Four-star linebacker set for official visit with Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Badgers football team will host four-star class of 2025 linebacker Mason Posa for an official visit this weekend. The Albuquerque, New Mexico, native has narrowed his final three programs list to Oregon, Texas A&M and Wisconsin.

Posa is ranked as the best player in the state of New Mexico by 247Sports, while the website has him listed as their 18th-best linebacker and as the No. 154 player nationally.

So far in the class of 2025, Luke Fickell and his staff have reeled in three linebackers, all of which are three-star athletes. Cooper Catalano (Germantown, WI), Brenden Anes (Franklin, TN) and Samuel Lateju (Lawrenceville, NJ) have already committed to Wisconsin.

An interesting angle to the recruitment of Mason Posa is the fact that Wisconsin is competing with new Big Ten foe Oregon. If the Badgers can gain his commitment, the linebacker would become the program’s first four-star addition to their class of 2025.

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Wisconsin in battle with USF for commitment of four-star cornerback

Wisconsin in battle with USF for commitment of four-star cornerback

The Wisconsin Badgers football team is considered to be in the final two programs for four-star class of 2025 cornerback Rukeem Stroud.

Stroud is considering between the Badgers and USF for his commitment. Of note, he is set to visit Madison this weekend.

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The cornerback is ranked as the 35th best player at his position in the country, the No. 57 recruit from Florida and the No. 430 recruit in the class of 2025.

Also visiting this weekend are a trio of class of 2025 athletes that have already committed to Wisconsin. Four-star cornerback Jaimier Scott, three-star offensive lineman Michael Roeske and three-star wide receiver Cameron Miller will also be in attendance, amongst others.

With Wisconsin’s recruiting class for 2025 being considered already as one of the top 20 in the country, they could further bolster their ranking with the potential addition of Stroud.

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Wide receiver with offer from Wisconsin set to visit three Big Ten rivals

Wide receiver with offer from Wisconsin set for Big Ten tour

The Wisconsin Badgers football team offered Rico Blassingame, a three-star class of 2026 wide receiver from Tolleson, Arizona, on Tuesday.

News also broke Tuesday that the talented wide receiver is set for unofficial visits to Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State this June.

The 6-foot-3, 180-pound athlete reeled in 60 receptions for 593 yards and a touchdown during his sophomore year at Tolleson Union, garnering attention from programs across the country. Blassingame has now received 15 Division 1 offers, including Indiana, Minnesota, Purdue and Wisconsin within the Big Ten.

With Wisconsin’s offense going through a complete facelift under offensive coordinator Phil Longo and his “Air Raid” offense, athletes like Blassingame will have an eye on the Badgers this season. If Luke Fickell’s squad can show improvement in the passing game in particular, it will certainly increase their odds of landing Blassingame and others in 2026.

Considering he’s a member of the class of 2026, it’s unlikely that Blassingame will be making a decision on his college destination any time soon.

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Wisconsin offers class of 2026 wide receiver from Tennessee

Wisconsin offers class of 2026 wide receiver from Tennessee

The Wisconsin Badgers football team extended a scholarship offer to Keeyshawn Schneider, a 6-foot-0, 175-pound wide receiver from Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Tuesday.

Schneider has now received offers from six different Division 1 programs. Those include Auburn, Colorado, Kentucky, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Wisconsin. To this point, the Badgers are the only Big Ten team to offer him, but that will likely change sooner rather than later.

Wisconsin has revamped its offense over the last two years. It hired head coach Luke Fickell, who was able to reel in the team’s highly respected offensive coordinator Phil Longo. Longo brought his “Air Raid” offense with him from North Carolina, but it didn’t necessarily lead to great passing success in 2023.

Moving forward, there’s a belief that the Badgers will leave their ground and pound, “three yards and a cloud of dust” offense behind and embrace a more dynamic approach. Athletes like Schneider will keep an eye on Wisconsin’s offensive progression this season.

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