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How Does the Wisconsin Football Class Stack Up Against B1G Rivals?

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Wisconsin Football
Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell arrives at Sky Harbor International Airport on Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, ahead of their Guaranteed Rate Bowl game against Oklahoma State University. Badgers Arrive 5

Madison, Wis. – Recently, the Wisconsin football staff saw their 2024 recruiting class climb to the 14th spot in the nation with more commitments expected.

The Wisconsin Badgers football staff has had to battle other top programs this recruiting cycle to land 16 talented individuals. The Badgers have also stolen recruits away from other programs, after snagging defensive back Nyzier Fourqurean away from Vanderbilt. Wisconsin has had plenty of success in both the transfer portal, and with their 2024 recruiting class. But, how do the Badgers’ recruiting wins stack up against their conference rivals?

How Does Wisconsin Football Recruiting Rank Compared to Other Big Ten Teams?

Thus far in the recruiting cycle, Wisconsin has landed 16 recruits and spread their recruiting reach to multiple new states. The Badgers have landed commitments from states like Florida, Alabama, and Texas this recruiting cycle. With the latest commitment of Jay Harper, Wisconsin has now sealed up their secondary. The Badgers have their focus on landing an edge rusher and an outside linebacker now as their class is nearly complete on the defensive side of the ball.

While Wisconsin football may have the 14th class in the nation currently, the rest of the Big Ten Conference has also had their own recruiting success. Here is how the Badgers recruiting class ranks up against their conference rivals.

#1: Michigan Wolverines – 261.21 Points

The Wolverines have one of the most impressive recruiting classes in the nation currently. Michigan has the second ranked class in the country behind the Georgia Bulldogs without landing a five-star recruit yet. The star-studded class for Michigan is highlighted by four-stars Jadyn Davis and Jordan Marshall, who could be the offensive duo of the future for the team. Their 22 hard commitments are second in the Big Ten to Minnesota, who has 23 thus far.

The Wisconsin football staff and the Michigan staff have battled each other multiple times this off-season. Most notably, Michigan landed both I’Marion Stewart and Jacob Oden away from the Badgers. The Wolverines have completed their recruiting class, but may still push for big names left in the class.

#2: Ohio State Buckeyes – 250.15 Points 

The Ohio State Buckeyes and head coach Ryan Day have put together a strong class of 14 commitments so far. Currently, five-star receivers Jeremiah Smith and Mylan Graham sit atop their fourth ranked recruiting class. With the second ranked class in the Big Ten, Ohio State is still far from done in the 2024 cycle. The Buckeyes are still waiting on the commitment announcements of two of the top ranked running backs in the class, which should come at the end of the month. Even without landing another recruit the Buckeyes would still put together one of the most complete classes in the country.

#3: Penn State Nittany Lions – 234.09 Points 

The story of this off-season for the Penn State Nittany Lions revolves around how the team has stolen multiple recruits from the Wisconsin football staff. In particular, the powerful duo of Corey Smith and Donovan Harbour took their talents to Happy Valley as the Badgers had to look elsewhere. The Nittany Lions also landed another Wisconsin native in Garrett Sexton, whom the Badgers tried to make a last-minute push for. Outside of their success in Wisconsin, Penn State has developed a solid class that currently sits at seventh nationally.

#4: Minnesota Golden Gophers – 205.57 Points 

The final team in the Big Ten Conference that currently ranks ahead of the Wisconsin football team is the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The Gophers have put together a huge class of 23 commitments that sits at 10th nationally. Their lone four-star commitment in their recruiting class is Wisconsin native Nathan Roy, who just recently announced his intentions to attend Minnesota. The most interesting part of the Golden Gophers recruiting class is that it contains the top overall player in each of the following states; Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Minnesota.

#5: Wisconsin Badgers – 199.51 Points

With 16 commitments and counting, the Wisconsin football staff has put together an excellent class during their first year together. Coach Luke Fickell and his staff have worked hard this off-season, particularly in the transfer portal, to upgrade their team. The goal for the Badgers has been to mold the current and future team into the type of football players that will win games. Wisconsin has done just that so far in the 2024 class by targeting recruits with big, strong frames.

The commitments of Grant Stec and Mabrey Mettauer currently highlight the class. However, from top to bottom Wisconsin has developed an intriguing class that fits the needs of the program. While the Wisconsin football staff may not be dominating the Big Ten Conference in recruiting at the moment, there is still the potential for the class to grow more.


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Five-Star Specialist Erik Schmidt Talks Recent Wisconsin Football Visit

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Wisconsin Badgers Football left tackle Joe Thomas Hall of Fame
Photo: Courtesy of AMF Photos

The Wisconsin football program recently hosted several 2025 prospects during the Badgers win over Georgia Southern.

One of those prospects was Erik Schmidt, a touted kicker/punter out of Milwaukee. 

“I had a really good time,” Schmidt told BadgerNotes. “The atmosphere in Madison was great, and everybody was welcoming.”

Erik Schmidt Recaps Recent Wisconsin Football Visit

Per Kohl’s Kicking, Schmidt is a five-star specialist. The Marquette University High School standout is the No. 4 ranked kicker in the nation and the No. 1 punter. 

Wisconsin was the first school to extend an offer to Schmidt and remains his sole offer. However, he has been garnering some interest from other programs.

“Michigan, Notre Dame, and Ohio State,” Schmidt said when asked what schools he’s hearing from at the moment. 

UW coaches Spencer Rymiszewski and Matt Mitchell have been Schmidt’s main points of contact following his scholarship offer. During his visit, he was able to catch up with the coaches and build relationships. 

“I’d say I have a close relationship with the staff. I talk to them multiple times a week.” Schmidt said. “We talked about how my football season is going.” 

It’s not just coaches who have been talking with Schmidt, however. Nathanial Vakos, the Wisconsin football program’s current placekicker, took some time to chat with Schmidt during his visit as well.

“I was able to talk with (Vakos) as well,” Schmidt told BadgerNotes. “We were just catching up because we were at a camp together this past summer.”

Wisconsin is reportedly near the top of Schmidt’s list, but he’s not in any rush to make a decision. He’s still looking to make his rounds and check out some other programs that have shown interest. 

“I’m going to visit Notre Dame and Michigan,” Schmidt said. “I’ll be back in Madison for the Ohio State game.”

That’s one of several standout prospects who will be in attendance for Wisconsin’s big primetime game against the Buckeyes. 

Luke Fickell and company are looking to have a scholarship kicker/punter in the 2025 class. If they are able to reel in one of the nation’s top kickers/punters, that will be a big win for the special teams group.

As it stands, Wisconsin football holds two commitments in the 2025 cycle from Remington Moss and Landyn Locke.


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Wisconsin Football: Badgers Expected to Land 2025 In-State Recruit

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Wisconsin Badgers football coaches Luke Fickell and Mike Tressel
Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell (left) greets Wisconsin Badgers defensive Coordinator Mike Tressel after Fickell spoke to the media during Wisconsin Badgers football media day at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023.

Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin Badgers Football program struggled to recruit America’s Dairyland in their first full cycle since taking over. That said, they’re hoping to change their fortunes in a deep group of 2025 in-state prospects.

Three-star linebacker Cooper Catalano from Germantown, Wisconsin, is arguably the top linebacker target on their board, and they have hosted him on several unofficial visits, most recently during the Badgers home game vs. Georgia Southern.

According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Catalano is ranked as the No. 470 player in the nation, the No. 43 linebacker, and the No. 6 player in Wisconsin. He currently holds offers from UW, Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas, Michigan State, and Minnesota.

His fit with Wisconsin football seems obvious, and after his latest trip to Madison, it appears that the recruiting insiders have a gut feeling about where he’ll call home.

Wisconsin Football is Trending for the In-State Linebacker 

Obviously, it’s still early in Cooper Catalano’s recruitment, but all signs point to the Wisconsin Badgers Football team keeping him home.

Badgers recruiting insiders Evan Flood of 247Sports and Jon McNamara of Rivals are in lockstep and have placed predictions for the 6-foot 200-pound linebacker to commit to Wisconsin.

As it stands, Wisconsin football has verbal commitments from quarterback Landyn Locke and defensive back Remington Moss, so it would be even sweeter to add an in-state product into the mix this early.

The Badgers coaching staff has injected some life into the program on the recruiting trail, and plenty of players want a seat at the table before the spots fill up.



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In-State EDGE Nicholas McCullough Recaps Wisconsin Football Visit

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Mandatory Credit: Aaron Frey-AMF Photos. Follow @amfphotos2020 on Instagram to see more.

Fresh off of a win over top-ranked Mukwonago, Muskego High School standout Nicholas McCullough made a stop at Camp Randall to take in the Wisconsin Badgers football program’s victory over Georgia Southern, where the

“Great visit overall,” McCullough told BadgerNotes. “The atmosphere was amazing per usual. It was great to see coach Scruggs in action.”

Nicholas McCullough Recaps Recent Wisconsin Football Visit

During his visit, McCullough spent some time building his relationships with the coaching staff. He’s been in touch with a pair of UW coaches thus far as they continue to monitor the Muskego native.

“I have a good relationship with the staff. Coach Spalding is an awesome dude, and it’s always good to see him. Coach Scruggs is an amazing coach, and we keep in touch whenever we can.” McCullough explained. “I saw them pregame and just talked about how my season is going so far.”

The Muskego standout has had an impressive season thus far. The undefeated Warriors just took down Mukwonago and have wins over other programs such as Verona, Oak Creek, and Waukesha West. 

His film speaks for itself, as he’s put together quite a highlight reel through five games. 

Not only is McCullough a standout on the field, but he’s an excellent student. According to his Twitter bio, McCullough currently holds a 4.0 GPA. Some schools are taking notice of his excellent academics, including some Ivy League universities.

“Duke and Ivy League (schools) such as Princeton, Penn, Columbia, and Dartmouth,” McCullough said when asked what other schools he’s hearing from. 

McCullough hasn’t picked up an offer from the Badgers yet, but he is planning on another Wisconsin football visit, among some other stops.

“I’m currently working out the details for Ivy League visits. I do plan on coming back to Madison,” McCullough explained.

McCullough has a long way to go in his recruitment, but he was impressed by Wisconsin. At the end of our talk, the junior linebacker discussed what the most important thing will be when he’s choosing a school. 

“Definitely the level of education. Wisconsin does a great job of having the best of both worlds. Great football team and a great education.”

As it stands, the Wisconsin football program holds two commitments in the 2025 class from Remington Moss and Landyn Locke


Contact/Follow us @Badger_Notes on Twitter, Subscribe to the BadgerNotes Newsletter here. Also, like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers football news, notes, opinion, and analysis. You can also follow Jake Maier on Twitter @JakeJMaier.

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