Latest news with #WisconsinFootball
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8 hours ago
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Wisconsin football offers five-star recruit in the class of 2027
Wisconsin football is setting its sights high in the 2027 recruiting cycle, especially at the tight end position. After offering four-star TE Jaxon Dollar on Tuesday, the program also extended an offer to five-star TE Ahmad Hudson -- one of the nation's top players in the class. 247Sports specifically ranks Hudson as the No. 10 overall player in the 2027 cycle, the No. 1 tight end and the No. 1 player from his home state of Louisiana. Wisconsin is unsurprisingly not alone on the five-star recruit's offer sheet. As of July 23, other programs in pursuit of Hudson include Alabama, Florida State, LSU, Texas A&M, Auburn, Florida, Miami, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Texas and USC. 247Sports currently lists Alabama, Baylor, Florida State, in-state LSU and Texas A&M as the early favorites in his recruitment, while On3/Rivals gives LSU (95.9%) a prohibitive early advantage over Nebraska (2%) and others. The 6-foot-6 tight end prospect is also a four-star power forward recruit on the basketball court. Only LSU, Grambling State and Louisiana Tech are listed on his basketball offer sheet. Wisconsin will have significant competition for Hudson's commitment. The program has not landed a five-star recruit since offensive tackle Nolan Rucci during the 2021 cycle. It only has five five-star signees in the online recruiting rankings era: 2001 DT Anttaj Hawthorne, 2003 DE Justin Ostrowski, 2007 OT Josh Oglesby, 2019 OT Logan Brown and Rucci. As noted in our story on Wisconsin's offer to Dollar, another blue-chip tight end in the class, the program is looking to rebuild its tight end room as it transitions back to a pro-style system on offense. Top talent at the position will be paramount to the scheme's success. That reality differs from Phil Longo's air raid scheme, which put more emphasis on speed and talent at wide receiver. Contact/Follow on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football recruiting offer 2027 five-star Ahmad Hudson
Yahoo
a day ago
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- Yahoo
Wisconsin football legend JJ Watt sends powerful message to Badgers before 2025 season
The post Wisconsin football legend JJ Watt sends powerful message to Badgers before 2025 season appeared first on ClutchPoints. Wisconsin football legend JJ Watt gave a powerful message to the 2025 Badgers team during a recent visit. Watt is one of the greatest defensive linemen ever, and he really began to gain his outstanding form in Madison. It all came together for the Pewaukee, Wisconsin native in 2010, where he was named a First-team All-American and won the Lott IMPACT Trophy, given to college football's defensive college football player of the year. That team ended up being co-Big Ten champions and went on to play in the Rose Bowl. Advertisement The Badgers went on to play in 'The Granddaddy of Them All' for three consecutive years, marking a very successful era for the program. Those years, however, feel long gone right now. Luke Fickell, who is coming off a terrific tenure at Cincinnati, has struggled to gain his footing with Wisconsin football through two seasons. He now heads into a critical third year where the program needs to show some results. Getting an alumnus like Watt to speak to the team is undoubtedly an encouraging move, and the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year didn't mince words on what this program means to so many people. Luke Fickell will have to navigate a daunting schedule to have a productive 2025 season Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The schedule doesn't get any easier for Wisconsin football in 2025. The Badgers have two manageable nonconference matchups before paying a visit to Tuscaloosa to take on Alabama. Right after that game, Luke Fickell's team begins its Big Ten slate, which includes visits to Michigan, Oregon, and Indiana, as well as home clashes against Ohio State and Illinois. There's a chance all of those teams are ranked, with several of them being legit College Football Playoff contenders. Advertisement Former Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. is expected to be the starter in Madison for the 2025 season. The quarterback position has been an area of concern for this program in recent years. If Edwards Jr. can turn this position into a strength, the Badgers have a chance to surprise a lot of people. Despite the tempered expectations nationally, Wisconsin football expects to see some significant progress from Luke Fickell and company. The pressure is slowly mounting on the third-year head coach, but it's always great for the vibes to have a legendary figure like JJ Watt around. Related: Way-too-early Big 12 football power rankings for 2025 season Related: Auburn football wide receiver in hot water after arrest
Yahoo
3 days ago
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Where Wisconsin football's class of 2026 ranks after Zachary Taylor's decommitment
Wisconsin football's recruiting class of 2026 lost a notable commitment on Friday. Three-star defensive back Zachary Taylor, who committed to Wisconsin in mid-June following his official visit, walked back his pledge and flipped to TCU. The Texas native had listed the Horned Frogs as a finalist before choosing the Badgers last month. His flip drops the Badgers to 14 class of 2026 commitments. That group now ranks No. 58 nationally and No. 15 in the Big Ten. Its standing has fallen dramatically after late-June commitments from blue-chip running back Amari Latimer and wide receiver Jayden Petit brought the group's ranking into the mid-30s. Notably, that standing is in line with the program's No. 59 finish in the 2023 cycle. Remember, Luke Fickell had only weeks to salvage Wisconsin's class that year after taking the job in late November. A high-50s national ranking during a normal cycle is far from the expectation under Fickell, a coach known for his recruiting prowess. Those high expectations were only heightened by his consecutive top-25 finishes in 2024 and 2025. Wisconsin may go back to the drawing board at safety after Taylor's decommitment. Even if it lands a replacement, it's hard to see the class' standing improving significantly. Wisconsin needs a resurgent 2025 football season to build momentum entering next summer's class of 2027 cycle. Contact/Follow on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin recruiting class national ranking after Zachary Taylor flip
Yahoo
07-07-2025
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Wisconsin football a finalist with several SEC programs for notable 2026 safety
Wisconsin football made the final schools for class of 2026 safety Jowell Combay on Sunday. The Badgers were listed alongside Missouri, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee. Combay also noted that he will announce his commitment on July 9 at 5 p.m. ET, 4 p.m. CT. Advertisement 247Sports currently lists the Marietta, Georgia, native as a three-star recruit. He's specifically ranked as the No. 632 player in the class of 2026, the No. 49 safety and the No. 70 player from his home state. The recruiting service notes that he took official visits to Oklahoma State on April 25, Missouri on May 30, South Carolina on June 6, Wisconsin on June 13 and Tennessee on June 20. It does not list a trip to Georgia, one of his five finalists. 247Sports has yet to register a crystal ball prediction for Combay's commitment. On3/Rivals sees a tight four-team race, with Tennessee at 28%, South Carolina at 18.5%, Missouri at 15.9% and Wisconsin at 13.2%. Wisconsin's class of 2026 currently ranks No. 48 in the nation with 15 players committed. The program is still seeking a final boost to elevate the class into the nation's top 30. Advertisement Stay tuned later this week for Combay's decision. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin recruiting target 2026 safety Jowell Combay final schools
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wisconsin football a finalist with notable SEC programs for 2026 safety
Wisconsin football made the final five schools for class of 2026 cornerback Tony Forney Jr. on Thursday. The program was included alongside Missouri, Georgia, Auburn, and Pittsburgh. In the announcement, Forney also noted that he will announce his commitment on Friday, July 4, at 4:30 p.m. ET, 3:30 p.m. CT. Advertisement 247Sports lists the Marietta, Georgia, native as a three-star recruit. He's specifically ranked as the No. 746 player in the class of 2026, the No. 66 safety and the No. 85 player from his home state. The recruiting service notes official visits to Missouri on May 30 and to Wisconsin on June 13. Rivals/On3, meanwhile, gives the Badgers, Missouri Tigers and Georgia Bulldogs a near equal shot to land the safety's commitment. Wisconsin is looking to continue its momentum in the cycle after the recent additions of blue-chip offensive playmakers, wide receiver Jayden Petit and running back Amari Latimer. The Badgers' class currently ranks No. 39 in the nation with 15 players committed. Stay tuned on Friday afternoon as the Badgers look to edge several top SEC programs for Forney's commitment. Advertisement Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin recruiting target Tony Forney finalists, commitment date
