Wisconsin Football: Geographical Success Opening New Chances

Madison, Wis. – The Wisconsin football staff has been killing the recruiting game as of late. After their recent success, the Badgers could perhaps open new opportunities for themselves in different states.

Historically speaking, dominating your own state in each recruiting class is a necessity. However, in recent years it has been proven that general recruiting success can provide a team with more than one single state can. Under Luke Fickell and the new Wisconsin football staff, the Badgers are spreading out and conquering more land than ever before. As Fickell continues to invade each state, the Badgers are opening new doors to opportunities for the future.

Luke Fickell Quickly Expanding Geographic Capabilities Of The Wisconsin Badgers

The Wisconsin football team has opened the 2024 recruiting class with plenty of success. The month of June in particular has been kind to the Wisconsin team in terms of their recruiting success. The most recent commitment for the Badgers, three-star running back Gideon Ituka, hails from the great state of Maryland. Ituka marks the 15th commitment of the 2024 recruiting class for the Wisconsin football team. More importantly, Ituka also marks the tenth state to enter the class for the Badgers.

Out of the 15 commitments in the class, there are 10 different states represented including three Wisconsin natives. The Badgers have also picked up three players from Pennsylvania after landing Kahmir Prescott, Kevin Heywood, and Ryan Cory. Thus far, the farthest commitment for the Badgers has come from Vernon Woodward of Winter Park, Florida. The recruit will travel 1314 miles to his new home in Madison, with Texas quarterback Mabrey Mattauer coming in a close second at 1131 miles. Wisconsin has traveled a whopping 8723 miles for their 12 out-of-state commitments so far.

Wisconsin Coaching Staff Scouring Each State During Recruiting Craze

For the Wisconsin recruiting staff, life on the road never truly ends. Luckily the month of June has been a bit of a break as much of the staff returns for official visits. Thus far, Wisconsin football has already covered plenty of ground. However, they are still waiting on the decision of Hawaii native Anelu Lafaele. Lafaele is one of the most talented players left on the board for the Badgers. While his talent is significant, his distance from the school is as well.

Wisconsin football coach Luke Fickell speaks to the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Clinic at the Easton Hilton on Feb. 3, 2023.

As stated before, everyone wants to dominate their state, but perhaps spreading the reach of the program is a better game plan. For the Wisconsin football staff, the goal from day one has been to bring in talent by any means necessary. In the eyes of Luke Fickell and his staff, that means travelling as far as they have to in order to find the correct fits for the program. Fickell has proven this in the past with the Cincinnati Bearcats as well, landing three commitments from Florida and one from Alabama in the 2022 recruiting class.

The Fickell led coaching staff has continued to find their way around each state. Position coach and longtime Luke Fickell assistant Colin Hitschler has helped the Badgers spread their recruiting prowess along the Eastern coast. With the diversity of the new staff, landing recruits from different states will become common for the Wisconsin football team.

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