Wisconsin Football: Outlining Key Visitors for a Huge Recruiting Weekend

Madison, Wis. – The Wisconsin football program is gearing up for a huge recruiting weekend on June 2nd. 

The Badgers have a history of success when it comes to recruiting in June, earning commitments from the likes of AJ Tisdell, Jace Arnold, Curt Neal, Tommy McIntosh, Cade Yacamelli, and many more.

Now, UW is set to host several key prospects that could solidify at least a top-20 recruiting class if they can work some magic. Here’s a look at the most intriguing uncommitted recruits heading to Madison this weekend.

Four-star RB Darrion Dupree

Wisconsin has heavily recruited the Chicagoland area over the last few cycles. One of the standout tailbacks from Chicago, Darrion Dupree, will visit Madison this weekend for his first official visit. 

With Braelon Allen and Chez Mellusi likely on the way out following the season, securing a dynamic running back like Dupree should be a top priority in the cycle. As it stands, Wisconsin is seemingly leading the pack in the Chicago native’s recruitment. However, Dupree has a pair of Big Ten official visits lined up for Michigan and Illinois after he visits Madison. 

Luke Fickell and company can sell Dupree the potential for immediate playing time, which could be enough to secure the four-star prospect.

Four-star EDGE Anelu Lafaele

Wisconsin has turned East St. Louis High School in Hawai’i into somewhat of a pipeline school. They’ll host a standout from the school and one of the top players in Hawai’i, with Anelu Lafaele heading to Madison.

UW is in a recruiting battle with Arizona State and Washington for the four-star prospect. There hasn’t been any indication of a school that’s firmly in the lead, but UW has a real shot in Lafaele’s recruitment.

Lafaele is set to announce his commitment on July 1st, but he will take one last official visit to Washington before that. I’d keep an eye on this one, Badger fans.

Four-star EDGE Dominic Nichols

Another intriguing EDGE rusher will head to Madison on June 2nd in Dominic Nichols.

Wisconsin is locked in a recruiting battle with Penn State, Michigan, and Kentucky. With those juggernauts in the battle, it’s safe to say the Badgers are on the outside looking in. However, with some defensive line stalwarts departing following the 2023 season, the Wisconsin football staff can sell Nichols on immediate playing time.

Recruiting sites have Michigan as the favorite here, but Wisconsin can sneak back in this weekend.

Four-star OT Kevin Heywood

The Wisconsin football program missed out on a few top offensive line recruits in the 2024 cycle. That makes Kevin Heywood a big priority as he visits this weekend.

A premier prospect, Heywood holds offers from Alabama, Penn State, USC, Georgia, Michigan, Tennessee, and many more. After he visits Madison, the 6-foot-7, 290-pound OT has officials lined up with Kentucky, Auburn, and USC.

Penn State is the favorite here, and Wisconsin will need to give the royal treatment to stay in the running for the standout from Pennsylvania.

Four-star ATH I’Marion Stewart

The Wisconsin football program got a steal when they secured a commitment from Kyan Berry-Johnson. One of his close friends, I’Marion Stewart, will head to Madison this weekend.

The previous regime offered the four-star prospect, but there was little interest on Stewart’s end. However, Wisconsin got back into the running when Phil Longo and the air-raid offense came on board.

As it stands, Michigan is the favorite to land Stewart. However, Wisconsin has a fighting chance with his relationship with Berry-Johnson and the new staff’s role in his recruitment.

Final thoughts on a huge Wisconsin football recruiting weekend

The success of this recruiting weekend could be a building block for the future of the new regime. Wisconsin is firmly in the running for a few of the key prospects visiting this weekend, and landing one or multiple of them will all but secure a top-20 recruiting class in year one for Luke Fickell.

I will be following up with some of the prospects after their official visits, so stay tuned.

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