This recruiting season has been a successful one for Paul Chryst and his staff with commitments coming from high-profile recruits including four-star defensive end T.J. Bollers, four-star tight end Jack Pugh and four-star linebacker/safety Braelon Allen.
The program currently has the No. 15-ranked 2021 class in the nation and, thanks to Allen’s commitment earlier this month, the No. 12-ranked 2022 class.
Some recruits have also slipped away recently with 2022 four-star wide receiver/tight end Jerry Cross committing to Penn State and 2021 three-star cornerback Robert Regan choosing Arizona State.
There is a prized recruit still out there, though, who the Badgers have been heavily pursuing and would vault their 2021 class into the nation’s top 10.
He is 2021 five-star offensive tackle Nolan Rucci–the No. 13-ranked player in his class, the No. 4-ranked player at his position and the No. 1-ranked recruit from his home state of Pennsylvania.
His last name may ring a bell as his older brother Hayden is a tight end currently in the Badgers’ program.
There have been no clear indication of where the top recruit is leaning at this point in his recruiting process but 247Sports has Penn State, Wisconsin and Clemson as the three favorites to sign the tackle.
Well, earlier today good news came out for Badger fans as 247Sports recruiting analyst Steve Wiltfong spoke to Evan Flood about Rucci and the Badgers’ chances of getting his commitment.
“My 247sports crystal ball is on Wisconsin and it’s a ‘5’ level,” Wiltfong said. “I may be going up to an ‘8’ here soon. I really think the Badgers are in great position to land Nolan Rucci.
“Wisconsin is the number 15 recruiting class in the country right now and Nolan Rucci would be another big coup for Paul Chryst and company. I think the relationship with the staff, his brother (Hayden Rucci) is on the team, being on campus, being around their offensive line coach, being around their head coach, and being around their guys, he’s extremely comfortable with that locker room.”
The process is far from over, but from Wiltfong’s comments it seems the Badgers are in the best position of any to land Rucci.
Here’s what Wiltfong had to say to finish the piece:
“I think Penn State’s in there. I think Clemson’s in there. But right now, I still really like Wisconsin for Nolan Rucci, “said Wiltfong. “He’s in no rush to make a decision. If things continue to play out this way, I’m not sure how a program could surpass Wisconsin.”
As the article says “if things continue to play out this way,” O-Line U could be in line to land arguably the biggest recruit in program history.
A lot can change between now and when Rucci decides, but cautious optimism is warranted here. The future of Wisconsin football is already looking like an extremely bright one, and there’s a good chance it could get even brighter.
For everything Wisconsin recruiting and the class of 2021 check out the 2021 commitment tracker and follow @thebadgerswire, @benzkenney and @a_low33 on Twitter.