Wisconsin Badgers State of the 2021 class: October Edition
With Wisconsin sitting on 19 commitments in the senior cycle, BadgerBlitz.com takes a look at what's ahead in the 10th edition of the State of the 2021 Class.
RELATED: Inside the rankings: Wisconsin Badgers' 2021 recruiting class | Markus Allen moving on after Michigan de-commitment | PODCAST: Ep.118: Al Ashford Comes on the Radar to Commit to Wisconsin |
QUARTERBACKS
How many will they take? Wisconsin is expected to take one scholarship quarterback in the 2021 class.
Who do they already have? The Badgers have a commitment from three-star quarterback Deacon Hill.
Scholarship seniors: Jack Coan
What's next?
Deacon Hill was told at the time of his commitment he would be the lone scholarship quarterback Wisconsin takes in the 2021 recruiting class. The Badgers have not extended any new offers at the position since his pledge.
RUNNING BACKS
How many will they take? Wisconsin is expected to take two tailbacks in the 2021 class.
Who do they already have? The Badgers have commitments from three-star tailbacks Loyal Crawford and Antwan Roberts.
Scholarship seniors: Garrett Groshek, Mason Stokke
What's next?
Loyal Crawford committed last fall, and Antwan Roberts joined him at the position in April. With those two locked in, the Badgers are done at tailback in the current cycle.
WIDE RECEIVERS
How many will they take? Wisconsin is expected to take one or two wide receivers in the 2021 class.
Who do they already have? The Badgers have a commitment from three-star wide receiver Skyler Bell.
Scholarship seniors: Danny Davis, Kendric Pryor, Jack Dunn
What's next?
Wisconsin locked up its top target at wide receiver this summer when Skyler Bell committed to the Badgers over offers from Iowa, Virginia Tech, Rutgers and West Virginia, among others. Now, can Alvis Whitted strike big for a second time on the recruiting front? Markus Allen, a four-star prospect who recently decommitted from Michigan, is looking strongly at UW, among other schools.
TIGHT ENDS
How many will they take? Wisconsin is expected to take one tight end in the 2021 class.
Who do they already have? The Badgers have a commitment from three-star tight end Jack Pugh.
Scholarship seniors: None
What's next?
After Gunnar Helm's commitment to Texas, Wisconsin will likely not take a second tight end in this class. Three-star Jack Pugh, who joined the Badgers' class in May, should be it at the position on Signing Day.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
How many will they take? Wisconsin is expected to take three offensive linemen in the 2021 class.
Who do they already have? The Badgers have commitments from projected tackles JP Benzschawel, Riley Mahlman and Nolan Rucci.
Scholarship seniors: Cole Van Lanen, Jon Dietzen
What's next?
After a recent commitment from Nolan Rucci, Wisconsin has one of the better offensive line classes in the entire country. The No. 6 tackle in the nation joined JP Benzschawel (No. 19) and Riley Mahlman (No. 33) as future tackles for position coach Joe Rudolph.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
How many will they take? Wisconsin is expected to take one defensive lineman in the 2021 class.
Who do they already have? The Badgers have a commitment from three-star Michael Jarvis
Scholarship seniors: Garrett Rand, Isaiahh Loudermilk
What's next?
After a commitment from Michael Jarvis this summer, Wisconsin kept the door open for a second defensive lineman in the 2021 class. Top target Marquise Brunson included the Badgers in his top 11, but room likely isn't available for him after two commitments and a reclassification for UW in September.
LINEBACKERS
How many will they take? Wisconsin is expected to take five or six linebackers in the 2021 class.
Who do they already have? The Badgers have commitments from projected OLBs Ayo Adebogun, T.J. Bollers and Darryl Peterson, as well as projected ILBs Bryan Sanborn and Jake Chaney.
Scholarship seniors: Noah Burks, Mike Maskalunas
What's next?
Heading into October, five pieces at linebacker are in place: Bryan Sanborn and Jake Chaney on the inside - a position that is likely full - and Ayo Adeboygun, Darryl Peterson and T.J. Bollers on the edge. Projected outside linebackers Jake Ratzlaff (waiting for the NHL Draft on Oct. 6-7) and Yanni Karlaftis each have the Badgers in their top group, respectively, and it will be interesting to see how those dominos fall.
CORNERBACKS
How many will they take? Wisconsin is expected to take two cornerbacks in the 2021 class.
Who do they already have? The Badgers have commitments from cornerbacks Ricardo Hallman and Al Ashford.
Scholarship seniors: Caesar Williams
What's next?
It appeared four-star Ricardo Hallman was the only corner Wisconsin wanted in the 2021 class. But that changed when Al Ashford made a surprise commitment to the Badgers on Sept. 11. The three-star prospect from Colorado chose UW over offers from Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Oregon State and Washington State, among others.
SAFETIES
How many will they take? Wisconsin is expected to take two safeties in the 2021 class.
Who do they already have? The Badgers have commitments from four-star in-state safeties Hunter Wohler and Braelon Allen.
Scholarship seniors: Eric Burrell, Madison Cone, Collin Wilder
What's next?
Wisconsin has one of the more exciting one-two punches at safety in this cycle after Braelon Allen announced last month he would reclassify to the 2021 recruiting class. The move pairs Allen with fellow in-state standout Hunter Wohler, who committed to the Badgers last fall.
ATHLETE
How many will they take? Wisconsin is expected to take one athlete 2021 class.
Who do they already have? The Badgers have a commitment from in-state athlete Jackson Acker.
Scholarship seniors: N/A
What's next?
Jackson Acker earned his offer at camp in the summer of 2019 as a running back, and that was his listed position at Wisconsin's junior day on March 1. But with Crawford and Roberts committed at tailback, Acker could find a home at linebacker or even fullback when he arrives on campus next year.
SPECIAL TEAMS
How many will they take? Wisconsin is expected to take one or two preferred walk-on specialists in the 2021 class.
Who do they already have? The Badgers do not have a commitment from a projected specialist.
Scholarship seniors: Long snapper Adam Bay
What's next?
Tyler Bittmann, who attended Wisconsin's junior day on March 1, received a preferred walk-on offer from the Badgers this summer. He is currently ranked as the No. 33 kicker in the country, according to Kohl's Kicking, and could fill a big need at kicker after Collin Larsh's graduation.
PROJECTED 2021 CLASS
QB (1) - Deacon Hill
RB (2) - Loyal Crawford, Antwan Roberts
WR (1) - Skyler Bell
TE (1) - Jack Pugh
OL (3) - JP Benzschawel, Riley Mahlman, Nolan Rucci
DL (1) - Michael Jarvis
ILB (2) - Bryan Sanborn, Jake Chaney
OLB (4) - Ayo Adebogun, Darryl Peterson, T.J. Bollers, Jake Ratzlaff
CB (2) - Ricardo Hallman, Al Ashford
S (2) - Hunter Wohler, Braelon Allen
ATH (1) Jackson Acker
TOTAL: 20