Ben Kenney
June 8, 2024 6:53 am CT
Wisconsin football enters the new age of the Big Ten needing to reestablish itself among college football’s top programs.
The program has been in a slide since nearly capturing the Big Ten title in 2019. The Paul Chryst era ended with a 4-3 record in 2020, a 9-4 season in 2021 and a rocky start to 2022. Former defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard led the Badgers to a 7-6 finish to the 2022 season, before Luke Fickell took over entering 2023, which finished with an identical 7-6 record.
Related:Full list of Wisconsin football’s scheduled class of 2025 official visits
The path back toward the top of the Big Ten will be a challenge for the Badgers. Fickell and his staff must establish the team’s new identity and compile recruiting classes that can compete with the conference’s elites.
That last part is the biggest question. Wisconsin has always done pretty well on the recruiting trail but never could break through with a top-10 class. As we have discussed, the all-important blue-chip percentage of 50% is a mark the program has only reached once: Fickell’s 2024 class. There is hope the new regime can recapture the program’s recruiting success from 2019-2021. Early returns are certainly promising after the program’s top-25 finish in the 2024 cycle and solid start to 2025. But while the outlook is positive, perennial classes within the nation’s top 15 and top 10 still seem tough to attain.
Top 10 classes are not possible without some of 247Sports’ top-rated recruits. While Wisconsin has landed some of those players in the past, it has not done so regularly. Plus the top-ranked players are often in-state offensive tackles and seldom play elsewhere.
Related:Anonymous Big Ten coaches weigh in on Wisconsin football in 2024
For proof, here is an updated ranking of Wisconsin’s 25 all-time highest-rated commitments according to 247Sports’ composite rating:
Note: this ranking is updated to include the class of 2024. It will be revisited after the 2025 cycle concludes.
25
RB Jalen Berger
Dec. 5, 2020; Madison, Wisconsin; Wisconsin Badgers running back Jalen Berger (8) is tackled by Indiana Hoosiers linebacker James Miller (8) during the third quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports Composite Player Rating: 0.9374 (four-star)
Class of: 2020
National Ranking: No. 136
24
OT Riley Mahlman
April 11, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin; Wisconsin offensive lineman Riley Mahlman (71) is shown during practice Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports Composite Player Rating: 0.9379 (four-star)
Class of: 2021
National Ranking: No. 142
23
OLB Vince Biegel
Sept. 3, 2016; Green Bay, Wisconsin; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Vince Biegel (47) during the Lambeau Field College Classic against the LSU Tigers at Lambeau Field. Wisconsin won 16-14. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports Composite Player Rating: 0.9388 (four-star)
Class of: 2012
National Ranking: No. 150
22
OT Cole Van Lanen
Cole Van Lanen (71) and his Badgers teammates on offense celebrate touchdown by Jack Coan during the first half. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-Imagn Content Services, LLC
247Sports Composite Player Rating: 0.9389 (four-star)
Class of: 2016
National Ranking: No. 136
21
DE Tyler Westphal247Sports Composite Player Rating: 0.9393 (four-star)
Class of: 2008
National Ranking: No. 123
20
OT J.P. Benzschawel247Sports Composite Player Rating: 0.9397 (four-star)
Class of: 2021
National Ranking: No. 131
19
OT Joe Thomas
Nov. 4, 2006; Madison, Wisconsin; Wisconsin Badgers offensive lineman (72) Joe Thomas warms up before the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Camp Randall Stadium. Photo By Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2006 Jeff Hanisch
247Sports Composite Player Rating: 0.9412 (four-star)
Class of: 2003
National Ranking: No. 88
18
WR Kraig Appleton247Sports Composite Player Rating: 0.9415 (four-star)
Class of: 2009
National Ranking: No. 128
17
OT Jaden Gault247Sports Composite Player Rating: 0.9446 (four-star)
Class of: 2014
National Ranking: No. 121
16
OT Jack Nelson
Wisconsin offensive lineman Jack Nelson (79) goes through a drill during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wisconsin on Tuesday April 2, 2024. Mark Stewart/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
247Sports Composite Player Rating: 0.9539 (four-star)
Class of: 2020
National Ranking: No. 104
15
OG Dan Voltz
Nov. 30, 2013; Madison, Wisconsin; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Joel Stave (2) catches a snap from center Dan Voltz (70) during pregame warmups before the game with the Penn State Nittany Lions at Camp Randall Stadium. Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports Composite Player Rating: 0.9556 (four-star)
Class of: 2012
National Ranking: No. 98
14
OT Kevin HeywoodWisconsin OL commit Kevin Heywood against Stanford DL Dylan Stephenson pic.twitter.com/u0Qn9SAY1G
— Mike Roach (@MikeRoach247) January 2, 2024
247Sports Composite Player Rating: 0.9558 (four-star)
Class of: 2024
National Ranking: No. 86
13
OT Joe Brunner
April 11, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin; Wisconsin offensive lineman Joe Brunner (56) is shown during practice Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports Composite Player Rating: 0.9633 (four-star)
Class of: 2022
National Ranking: No. 85
12
OT Trey Wedig
Wisconsin offensive lineman Trey Wedig (78) prods pass protection during the first quarter of their game against New Mexico State Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. MARK HOFFMAN/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL
247Sports Composite Player Rating: 0.9641 (four-star)
Class of: 2020
National Ranking: No. 83
11
DT Nick Hayden
Sept. 22, 2007; Madison, Wisconsin; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Albert Young (21) leaps through a hole in the line as Wisconsin Badgers defensive lineman Nick Hayden (96) and linebacker Jonathan Casillas (2) defend during the third quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. The Badgers defeated the Hawkeyes 17-13. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2007 Jeff Hanisch
247Sports Composite Player Rating: 0.9679 (four-star)
Class of: 2004
National Ranking: No. 85
10
QB Graham Mertz
Nov. 26, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Graham Mertz (5) looks to throw a pass during the first quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports Composite Player Rating: 0.9689 (four-star)
Class of: 2019
National Ranking: No. 65
9
ILB Darius Jones247Sports Composite Player Rating: 0.9703 (four-star)
Class of: 2000
National Ranking: No. 86
8
CB Brett Bell
Jan. 1, 2005, Tampa, Florida; Georgia Bulldogs receiver #4 Sean Bailey can’t bring in the pass while being covered by Wisconsin Badgers defensive back #6 Brett Bell in second half action at the 2005 Outback Bowl. The Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Wisconsin Badgers 24-21. Paul Chapman-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports Composite Player Rating: 0.9735 (four-star)
Class of: 2001
National Ranking: No. 83
7
RB John Clay
Oct. 17, 2009; Madison, Wisconsin; Wisconsin Badgers running back John Clay (32) rushes with the football during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Camp Randall Stadium. The Hawkeyes defeated the Badgers 20-10. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports Composite Player Rating: 0.9751 (four-star)
Class of: 2007
National Ranking: No. 59
6
OLB Travis Beckum
Nov. 17, 2007; Minneapolis, Minnesota: Wisconsin Badgers tight end (9) Travis Beckum leaps into the end zone for a touchdown as Minnesota Gophers safety (27) Kyle Theret tries to stop him in the fourth quarter at the Metrodome. Bruce Kluckhohn USA TODAY Sports
247Sports Composite Player Rating: 0.9827 (four-star)
Class of: 2005
National Ranking: No. 39
5
DE Justin Ostrowski247Sports Composite Player Rating: 0.9835 (five-star)
Class of: 2003
National Ranking: No. 32
4
DT Anttaj Hawthorne247Sports Composite Player Rating: 0.9896 (five-star)
Class of: 2001
National Ranking: No. 26
3
OT Logan Brown
Sept. 10, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin; Wisconsin Badgers offensive linenam Logan Brown (50) during the game against the Washington State Cougars at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports Composite Player Rating: 0.9915 (five-star)
Class of: 2019
National Ranking: No. 17
2
OT Nolan Rucci
Dec. 27, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona; Wisconsin Badgers offensive lineman Nolan Rucci (66) against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports Composite Player Rating: 0.9918 (five-star)
Class of: 2021
National Ranking: No. 16
1
OT Josh Oglesby247Sports Composite Player Rating: 0.9936 (five-star)
Class of: 2007
National Ranking: No. 13
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