Wisconsin Football Recruiting: Badgers Targeting No. 1 Player in Minnesota

Madison, Wis. – Luke Fickell has made it a point of emphasis to recruit within a 350-mile radius after he took over as the Wisconsin football program’s head coach. Staying true to that strategy, the Badgers extended an offer to the top player in Minnesota.

Four-star edge rusher Wyatt Gilmore took to Twitter to announce Wisconsin offered him. 

Blessed to receive an offer from @BadgerFootball during my visit on friday!!! @CoachFick @CoachMikeTress @Coach_Mitch_ @G_Scruggs @_maximus347 #OnWisconsin #gobadgers pic.twitter.com/rMvL2gGzKm

— Wyatt Gilmore (@wyattgilmore9) May 21, 2023

According to 247Sports, Gilmore is the No. 499 player in the nation, the No. 20 EDGE, and the No. 1 player in Minnesota.

The 6-foot-4, 240-pound athlete currently holds 15 offers. Wisconsin joined Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, and Purdue as Big Ten schools to offer a scholarship. Other notable schools that threw their hat in the ring include Akron, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Miami, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Oregon.

How would Gilmore fit the Wisconsin football program?

Looking at Gilmore’s tape, there is a lot to like here. The four-star prospect has remarkable athleticism, showing a quick burst and unique block-shedding capabilities. Pair that with his quick hands, and you have a dynamic player on the defensive front.

The Minnesota native has added to his frame since his freshman year. According to MaxPreps, Gilmore was just 220 pounds coming into high school. Adding on the 20 extra pounds raised his ceiling and added some versatility to his game as a defender.

Gilmore is a two-sport athlete, also competing on Rogers High School’s basketball team. On the gridiron, the four-star prospect has played on both sides of the ball, earning some snaps at tight end.

I don’t think Gilmore will receive a lot of reps as a tight end at the collegiate level, but his capabilities as a disruptor up front could make him an immediate impact starter. 

You can watch Gilmore’s HUDL highlights here.

The Wisconsin football program currently holds nine commitments in the 2024 class. We will see if Fickell can work some magic to poach the top player from the rival state.

Contact/Follow us @Badger_Notes on Twitter, Subscribe to the BadgerNotes Newsletter here. Also, like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, opinion, and analysis. You can also follow Jake Maier on Twitter @JakeJMaier.

Use promo code: BadgerNotes for 25% off your next True Classic order.

Join the Badger Notes watch party and stream Wisconsin Badgers games by following this link.

*Subscribe to Locked on Badgers on Youtube and wherever you find podcasts, the only daily Wisconsin Badgers podcast on the internet.