After signing one of the top recruiting classes in school history last month (a group that will only get better if and when 4-star running back Jalen Berger makes it official by signing in February), Wisconsin looks poised to do so again in the class of 2021. However, while the Badgers are off to a fantastic start with that group, they have yet to secure a commitment from a tight end.
That’s where Paul Chryst and company are hoping Thomas Fidone will come in at some point down the line after extending an offer to the Council Bluffs, Iowa native on Tuesday.
Blessed and excited to say I have received a full scholarship from the University of Wisconsin! pic.twitter.com/ivCR4Urbtb
— Thomas Fidone II (@ThomasFidone) January 21, 2020
The four-star prospect is one of the top tight ends in the 2021 class, currently sitting at No. 10 nationally at the position and No. 275 overall. Fidone’s offer list reflects that lofty ranking, with Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Iowa State, Kansas State, LSU, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Missouri, Northwestern, Oklahoma State, Purdue, Tennessee and West Virginia all beating Wisconsin to the punch in throwing their hats in the ring here.
The Badgers will face some stiff competition for Fidone’s services, particularly from the likes of Iowa, Nebraska and Michigan. The Hawkeyes could be particularly dangerous in their pursuit of the 6-5, 218-pounder given their success developing tight ends and sending them to the NFL, as well as their status as the home-state school.
Wisconsin’s eight-man 2021 class currently ranks No. 5 nationally and No. 2 in the Big Ten, per 247Sports. The group consists of four-star safety Hunter Wohler (Muskego, Wis.), three-star inside linebacker Bryan Sanborn (Lake Zurich, Ill.), three-star defensive end/outside linebacker Ayo Adebogun (Thiensville, Wis.), four-star offensive tackles JP Benzschawel (Grafton, Wis.) and Riley Mahlman (Lakeville, Minn.), three-star running backs Jackson Acker (Verona, Wis.) and Loyal Crawford (Eau Claire, Wis.) and three-star quarterback Deacon Hill (Santa Barbara, Calif.).