Wisconsin Football Recruiting: Evaluating Remaining Positions of Need

Despite a pair of de-commitments last week, the Wisconsin football program has seen some early recruiting success under Luke Fickell.

UW currently holds 14 commits in the 2024 cycle, good for the No. 23 class in the country, according to 247Sports. Still, some questions remain on what positions need to be filled. 

Will Wisconsin take three running backs? Can UW bolster its defensive line depth? How will Wisconsin fill in the cornerback depth chart following Vernon Woodward’s de-commitment? Here are my predictions on how Wisconsin will fill its remaining needs in the 2024 cycle.

Will the Wisconsin Football Program Take Three Running Backs?

Wisconsin picked up its first tailback commitment with three-star RB Gideon Ituka coming on board. Still, UW is firmly in the running for a pair of four-star running back prospects. 

Darrion Dupree, UW’s No. 1 running back target from the jump, is the most likely to commit. The four-star prospect out of Illinois has taken official visits to Illinois and Missouri, but multiple recruiting services still predict Wisconsin to land the dynamic tailback.

Dilin Jones is the other prospect still on Wisconsin’s board. UW is in the running alongside Florida State and Maryland for the four-star tailback. The top-15 RB was scheduled to visit Florida State last weekend, but it’s believed that he did not make the trip. If that is the case, Wisconsin is in a prime position for the four-star tailback.

With Braelon Allen and Chez Mellusi entering their final year as Badgers, Wisconsin is expected to take at least two running backs in the cycle. Dupree is the most likely to commit, but if Dilin Jones also wants to come on board, I don’t see Fickell and company turning him away.

Prediction: Darrion Dupree

Who Can Fill in the Cornerback Depth?

The depth at the cornerback position still needs to be bolstered in the 2024 cycle, and Wisconsin is in the running for several top targets.

Omillio Agard is the most likely to commit at this point. The four-star prospect has a decision date lined up for July 1st and has Clemson and Wisconsin as his final schools. All signs point to Wisconsin securing a commitment from the standout out of Pennsylvania.

Lloyd Irvin III is another cornerback prospect to keep an eye on. The three-star CB announced he will be committing on July 1st, and his final three include Wisconsin, Maryland, and West Virginia. Maryland is trending towards landing the three-star prospect, but UW will be the school to watch to steal a commitment from the hometown Terrapins.

Prediction: Omillio Agard

Wisconsin Football Needs to Add Some Defensive Line Prospects

Defensive line recruiting has been lackluster thus far in the 2024 cycle, with only one current commit in Hank Weber. The depth behind Wisconsin’s starters on the defensive front is shaky, and UW is reportedly looking to bring in at least three defensive linemen in the cycle.

Wisconsin is the team to beat in Anelu Lafaele’s recruitment. The standout from Hawaii has wrapped up his official visits and will announce his commitment on July 12th. I feel very confident about Wisconsin’s chances here.

The other defensive line prospect to keep an eye on is Dominic Kirks. The four-star prospect out of Ohio took official visits to Wisconsin, Pittsburgh, and Washington recently, and he will announce his commitment on June 30th.

Prediction: Anelu Lafaele

Exploring the Changes in Wisconsin Football Recruiting Under Luke Fickell

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