Wisconsin Football Adds Versatile Safety to 2024 Recruiting Class

Madison, Wis. — The Wisconsin football program has slowly begun an overhaul in the Badgers secondary with a common theme among the incoming recruits…size and length. 

That theme continued this past weekend when Luke Fickell and his coaching staff received a verbal commitment from three-star safety Raphael Dunn out of Lawrenceville, New Jersey, following an official visit to Madison. 

After a great official visit I’m excited to announce my commitment to Wisconsin University. I would like to thank my parents @CoachPoeWins @CoachHitsch @CoachMikeTress @_maximus347 @CoachFick pic.twitter.com/4o2sjuKAza

— Raphael Dunn (@Raphaelball9) June 11, 2023

According to 247Sports Composite rankings, Dunn is the No. 69 S in the country and the No. 12 player in New Jersey. The three-star recruit chose Wisconsin over offers from Vanderbilt, Virginia, Illinois, Michigan State, Kentucky, and others. 

The 6-foot-4, 200-pound athlete quickly became a priority for safeties coach Collin Hitschler, who desperately wanted Dunn for his ‘Dollar’ playmaking position on defense. 

What is Wisconsin Football Getting With Raphael Dunn?

Raphael Dunn makes a ton of sense for the new Wisconsin football coaching staff from a raw skillset standpoint. In fact, I’m not sure that he’ll play safety at the next level because he has the frame to develop into a hybrid linebacker if that better suits team needs.

As a junior, the New Jersey native posted 68 tackles, four interceptions, eight pass breakups, and two defensive touchdowns.

Dunn’s versatility is the number one thing that stands out about his game. I could conceivably see him playing centerfield, in the box, in the slot against tight ends, or getting after the quarterback in specific packages.

The three-star safety has a knack for dissecting plays and using his instincts to get downhill and blow things up. Overall, there’s a lot of untapped potential in Dunn’s game, and if Badgers coaches are patient in developing him and finding his niche, he could be an impact defender down the road.

With his addition, Wisconsin football now has the No. 15 recruiting class in the country, per 247Sports.

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