Earlier today the Wisconsin Badgers added to their impressive class of 2021 by landing a commitment from three-star wide receiver Markus Allen, a player who had previously committed to play for Jim Harbaugh at Michigan.
The addition of Allen moved the class to No. 16 in the nation and kept it as the third-best in the Big Ten conference.
Related: How Wisconsin commits reacted to the Badgers landing WR Markus Allen
The 2021 group has been impressive for months now, but it’s reached the point where we can officially call it the best the program has ever had.
Here’s why.
First, the class has a five-star in offensive tackle Nolan Rucci, three No. 1 players in their states, two stud wide receivers, a lethal in-state safety duo, a four-star quarterback and more.
Imagine the group on the football field: a five-star and two four-stars on the offensive line, a four-star and three-star at defensive end, a four-star and three-star at linebacker, two four-stars at safety, a four-star quarterback, a four-star tight end, two slept on three-stars at wide receiver, a crop of three-star running backs and two under-the-radar three-star cornerbacks.
The Badgers always have the culture, coaching and consistency to compete with the nation’s best. Now with top-end talent, the sky will be the limit for this team in the coming years.
Second, here is the 2021 group compared to the program’s recent classes:
- 2021: No. 16 in the nation, No. 3 in the Big Ten, one five-star, seven four-stars, 12 three-stars, 0.8905 average rating
- 2020: No. 26 in the nation, No. 5 in the Big Ten, no five-stars, five four-stars, 15 three-stars, 0.8783 average rating
- 2019: No. 29 in the nation, No. 6 in the Big Ten, one five-star, two four-stars, 16 three-stars, 0.8786 average rating
- 2018: No. 46 in the nation, No. 9 in the Big Ten, no five-stars, one four-star, 19 three-stars, 0.8648 average rating
- 2017: No. 39 in the nation, No. 7 in the Big Ten, no five-stars, two four-stars, 15 three-stars, one two-star, 0.8582 average rating
You get the idea. Since 247Sports began tracking recruiting there has not been another class that has broken the nation’s top-20, let alone boast the versatility and volume of talent that the 2021 group has.
Yes, it obviously needs to play out on the field. But If you’re a Badger fan there is reason for optimism moving forward into the coming years and beyond.