Wisconsin Badgers Commitment 101: Four-star OL Nolan Rucci

The Wisconsin Badgers added four-star offensive tackle Nolan Rucci to their 2021 recruiting class Tuesday. Here's what Rucci's commitment means for head coach Paul Chryst moving forward.

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Nolan Rucci, listed at 6-foot-8 and 295 pounds, certainly passes the eye-ball test. The first thing that jumps out is how athletic the four-star talent is for a prospect his size. Rucci has good bend, balance and flexibility, and is able drive defenders in the run game. He also displays good lateral movement in pass protection against quicker edge rushers and utilizes his huge wingspan very well.

When Rucci engages, he looks to drive his opponent into the ground. He transitions from level to level well, and there are a handful of plays on his junior tape where Rucci moves a defensive lineman out of the way and then goes on to a linebacker. Finally, Rucci uses his length well and doesn't reach a ton - rather, he allows himself to get in proper position to make the necessary block. He's also a standout defensive lineman at Warwick High School in Pennsylvania.

The bloodlines are also intriguing. His older brother, Hayden Rucci, is a freshman tight end at Wisconsin. And his father, Todd Rucci, played at Penn State and for eight seasons in the NFL with the New England Patriots.

You could call it a logjam at offensive tackle for Wisconsin. Or, more appropriately, an embarrassment of riches for position coach Joe Rudolph. The Badgers are expected to have six former four-star tackles on campus next year in Logan Brown, Jack Nelson, Trey Wedig, Riley Mahlman, JP Benzschawel and Rucci. One or two from that group may slide inside to guard, but it's difficult to say who at this point without having seen them compete against college competition. Rudolph cross-trains his linemen, so all six will get experience at multiple positions.

The Badgers almost never play true freshmen on the offensive line, a sign of the strength and depth commonly at the position. And though Rucci is supremely talented, the smart money says he'll redshirt in 2021 before he competes for time the following season.

From National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell:

"The high four-star is all of 6-foot-8 and he could still easily add at least 20 pounds to his frame, so he has not topped out physically. Rucci is a dominant run blocker, he’s light on his feet, and even at defensive end he makes plays and gets in the backfield. The Pennsylvania lineman is already ranked high, and he hasn't maxed out yet. Rucci was a tough one because he’s still kind of thin as a 300-pounder, but he’s more filled out than a guy like Mike McGlinchey."

From East Coast Recruiting Analyst Adam Friedman:

"Rucci has taken his game to another level since the end of last season. He’s added significant lean mass to his frame and his overall strength has clearly improved. Rucci has always been very advanced from a technical perspective, but these physical developments will help make him exponentially more effective against elite competition."

With commitments in from Mahlman, Benzschawel and Rucci on the offensive line, Wisconsin is done at the position in the 2021 class. The focus will now turn to 2022, where the Badgers are after in-state standouts Joe Brunner, Carson Hinzman and Billy Schrauth. From those three, Schrauth, 6-foot-5 and 280 pounds, could also play defensive tackle at the next level.

With 17 commitments in the senior class, the Badgers likely have two or three remaining scholarships open. Outside linebackers Yanni Karlaftis and Jake Ratzlaff, as well as defensive tackle Marquise Brunson, remain top targets. UW may also look to add a second wide receiver this fall to pair with Skyler Bell.