Wisconsin Football Coaches in Heavy Pursuit of USC LB Tackett Curtis

After the initial reports rolled out that Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin Badgers football program had reached out to USC linebacker Tackett Curtis in the transfer portal and had a Zoom meeting, updates have seemingly gone radio silent. 

Curtis has heard from countless programs since entering his name into the portal, and for good reason. He was the No. 108 overall prospect in the 2023 recruiting class and the No. 9 LB in the country and saw the field as a true freshman for the USC Trojans. 

The 6-foot-2, 225-pound inside backer registered 40 tackles, 10 pressures, six hurries, two sacks, a forced fumble, and a pass deflection in 355 total snaps this past season. 

Year 1⚔️! Time to Hunt💯 pic.twitter.com/fsQUuAea1g

— TACKETT CURTIS (@curtis_tackett) December 19, 2023

We’ve been told that Curtis is still meeting with schools and plans to figure out his next steps quickly — and that the Wisconsin football staff has done everything in their power to stay in the mix. 

Wisconsin Football Coaches in Constant Contact With USC LB Tackett Curtis

Sep 16, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell celebrates with players after a Badgers touchdown against the Georgia Southern Eagles during the third quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Even though there have not been any public updates, the Wisconsin football recruiting department has been putting in work on the backend to entice Tackett Curtis into joining the Badgers.

A source shared with BadgerNotes.com that the Wisconsin Badgers want Curtis as a Mike linebacker in their 3-3-5 defensive system. Head coach Luke Fickell and Casey Rabach have remained in contact with Curtis daily, sometimes even multiple times a day.

Wisconsin football has begun an overhaul of its linebacking corps this offseason, already making additions at OLB and ILB, and the Badgers see Curtis as a potential plug-and-play defensive player with three years of eligibility they could build around. His movement skills and ability to play in space would make him a dynamic fit in Mike Tressel’s defense.

There’s no current timetable for a decision, but I wouldn’t count the Wisconsin Badgers out in this recruitment. Perhaps the second time will be the charm, and Curtis will end up in Cardinal and White. Time will tell.

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