Scouting Report: 2025 Wisconsin Football Commit Samuel Lateju

The Wisconsin football program added its eighth commitment in the 2025 cycle on Monday, as three-star LB Samuel Lateju announced his commitment to the Badgers. 

The New Jersey native took to social media to make it official.

Excited to announce my commitment to @BadgerFootball I want to thank everyone that have been with me!!!🙏🏿🙏🏿@CoachPoeWins @Coach_Mitch_ @CoachFick @_maximus347 @JeffBigDreamerH @B12PFootball @LvilleBigRedFB pic.twitter.com/fLYg1Kz94d

— sam (@lanrewajulateju) March 4, 2024

Here’s a look at the newest addition to the 2025 recruiting class and what stands out. 

Wisconsin Football Commit Samuel Lateju: On the Recruiting Trail

According to the 247Sports rankings, Lateju is rated as the No. 71 EDGE rusher in the 2025 cycle and the No. 26 player in New Jersey. 

Wisconsin was the second school to offer the Lawrenceville High School standout, extending an offer in May of 2023. Other notable schools, including Maryland, Duke, Wake Forest, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, and Syracuse, also threw their hats in the ring. 

Outside linebackers coach Matt Mitchell acted as the lead recruiter for Lateju. The three-star linebacker made an unofficial visit to Madison during the Wisconsin Badgers’ recent junior day, and UW was able to close this recruitment down quickly. 

It’s also worth noting that Lateju was teammates with 2024 Badgers signee Raphael Dunn at Lawrenceville High School. 

With Lateju’s commitment, Wisconsin now has two outside linebacker commits, joining three-star LB Brenden Anes. 

What Are the Wisconsin Badgers Getting in Samuel Lateju?

Lateju is a very raw prospect, as he has only played football for two seasons, but he has shown flashes of what he could grow into as an edge rusher. 

Standing at 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, Lateju already has the frame Mike Tressel and company are looking for in their linebackers. Pairing his measurables with his athleticism, the three-star linebacker has the tools to be effective in the Badgers defensive scheme in spots.

Lateju stands out most as a run-stopper, showcasing a great ability to get around the edge quickly and blow up run plays in the backfield. With his burst, he doesn’t take much time to get downhill; it’s read-and-react fast for the three-star linebacker. 

Lateju isn’t an easy player to block — thanks in part to his size — but he also possesses the strength to knock opposing offensive linemen backward or use his quick hands to fight off blockers. 

His speed doesn’t exactly stand out among his peers, but Lateju makes up for it with his physicality at the point of contact. You’d like to see him dip his shoulder to get a bit lower on some of his tackles, but that can be refined and should come with time. 

There’s plenty of untapped potential in Lateju’s game, and more experience on the field will help him get to where he could be. Should he become more polished, he’ll be a player who will cause chaos in opposing teams’ backfields. 

The Wisconsin football program now holds eight commitments in the 2025 cycle, good for the No. 9 recruiting class in the country, per the composite rankings.

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