Wisconsin Football Expecting an Awful Lot From a True Freshman This Fall

On the eve of fall camp starting at UW-Platteville, the Wisconsin football team received news that tight ends Clay Cundiff (retirement) and Jack Eschenbach would no longer be on the Badgers roster. 

Just like that, an already thin position group was now starving for potential contributors. The top returning options were former walk-on fullback Riley Nowakowski and in-line blocking tight end Hayden Rucci, who has the most accomplished resume of the bunch with six catches for 75 yards and a touchdown. 

Not exactly ideal for a program predicted to win the Big Ten West. 

This lack of proven depth left the door open for one of the younger tight ends to get an extended look in fall camp, with the opportunity to see meaningful snaps on game day. 

We know now that the young tight end who will see the field in the home opener is true freshman Tucker Ashcraft, according to comments made by Luke Fickell on his weekly radio show. 

Wisconsin Football Needs Tucker Ashcraft to Produce From the Jump 

Tucker Ashcraft is a 6-foot-5, 245-pound tight end from Seattle, Washington, who was a late addition to the 2023 recruiting class for Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin football program.

The previous regime struggled to lock down a tight-end prospect before Fickell took over. However, Ashcraft has a really exciting athletic profile and is exactly the type of player you want to bring in and develop.

Ashcraft is physically very mature for such a young player and has noteworthy speed that could translate to being a seam-stretching pass-catcher with some seasoning. But what I love the most about his game is that he’s an excellent blocker. The potential is there for the Washington native to develop into a complete tight end for Wisconsin football.

Credit to Ryan Harings for calling this one — but given Riley Nowakowski’s injury, the All-Metro first-team tight end will see snaps alongside Hayden Rucci and get some terrific in-game experience. Phil Longo has traditionally likes to involve his tight ends in the passing game — but this season might be more of an h-back/by-committee approach to make do with the healthy personnel.

It’s a lot to expect any true freshman to contribute, but the lack of tight-end depth and reportedly having a standout fall camp has led to Ashcraft getting this opportunity — I look forward to seeing what he can do.

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