Newest Wisconsin football class of 2025 commit iOL Hardy Watts announced his collegiate commitment before family and friends at Dexter Southfield School on Monday afternoon.
UW’s iconic football theme song, “Jump Around,” blared from speakers in the background as Watts announced his commitment. The 6-foot-6, 290-pound lineman proceeded to put on the Wisconsin hat and reveal his Badger undershirt, which was all met with a round of applause.
Similar to top UW class of 2025 commit Eugene Hilton Jr., Watts offered zero hesitancy when making his announcement and seemed thrilled with the decision. His commitment is more than a welcome sign for Wisconsin football after the program recently saw four-star cornerback Rukeem Stroud commit to UCF.
Watts chose the Badgers over other finalists Michigan and Clemson. Wisconsin appeared to be out of the running as recently as last week, though a string of 247Sports crystal ball predictions on Saturday indicated that the Badgers had won the down-to-the-last-minute recruiting battle.
Hardy Watts commits to the #Badgers Highest-ranked player in the class. pic.twitter.com/X76GglN2w0
— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) July 1, 2024
Watts is currently ranked by 247Sports as the No. 222 player in the class of 2025, No. 12 interior offensive lineman and No. 1 recruit from the state of Massachusetts. He is notably the sixth blue-chip player to commit to the Badgers’ class of 2025.
247Sports elevated the Badgers’ class of 2025 No. 5 in the Big Ten following Watts’ choice. He becomes the program’s 22nd overall commitment, fifth offensive lineman and first iOL in the class.