One of the most prized, under the radar recruits in the state of Wisconsin is Slinger offensive lineman Charlie Hoitink. The Wisconsin Badgers have recruited Hoitink for quite some time, but still have not pulled the trigger on a scholarship offer. With Hoitink recently committing verbally to Stanford, is it still possible for the Badgers to flip their in-state recruit?
Wisconsin Badgers Football: Is a Flip For Hoitink Still Possible?
With Wisconsin heating up their Spring season each day, more and more recruits are interested to see what the Badgers team looks like. For many 2024 recruits, visiting now can give the players an amazing insight into what their lives could be like in just a year. For the 2025 recruits, visiting now can give them perspective into what they may want in a team or staff.
For the amazing 2025 three-star offensive lineman, Charlie Hoitink, the college visits have been rather strategic and calculated. Hoitink made his first visit back in 2021 as a freshman when he went to the Iowa State Cyclones campus and received a scholarship offer. Since that visit, Hoitink has made six visits since, including one to Wisconsin just before the new staff took over. His latest visit to Stanford ended with his verbal commitment to the university.
Stanford 2025 OG commit Charlie Hoitink (Slinger HS, WI). Kid is an absolute ROAD GRADER.@CharlieHoitink | @OwlsFB pic.twitter.com/mnxzH7AzNB
— Jake Lemming (@HSFBscout) April 4, 2023
Hoitink just announced his commitment on March 16th, but along with his commitment he never shut down his recruitment. Given his size and incredible strength, Stanford is very likely not the final offer that the recruit will receive. Hoitink is not your average lineman, coming in at six foot four inches and nearly 310 pounds.
Hoitink moves other huge players and does an amazing job at creating gaps for the running back. He is also an exceptional pass blocker that rarely allows defenders past. The Slinger native is also an accomplished power lifter, winning state titles in the heavyweight class and setting a national dead-lift record for his class.
Charlie Hoitink Recruitment: Is it Too Late or Too Early?
As most fans have learned over the years, a verbal commitment does not mean the player will attend that university. Not only will more teams join the mix, but the teams currently recruiting Hoitink will also continue to do so. Also, as a 2025 recruit, there is still plenty of time for Hoitink to meet different teams, different staff members, and different cultures. Being different is key in this situation, especially for the Wisconsin Badgers who have overhauled their staff since Hoitink last visited Madison.
MARK HOFFMAN/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL
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Perhaps, it is not too late for the Badgers to swoop in but rather too early. Hoitink just made a massive commitment less than a month ago which means it is far too soon for him to change his mind. In order for Wisconsin to land Hoitink in the future, it will take time and dedication from the staff to convince the talented lineman. The new-look Wisconsin staff can certainly entertain Hoitink as they continue to build the team, but will it be enough to flip the recruit?
At this point in time it is still far too early to tell how confident Hoitink is in his decision. The best bet for the Wisconsin Badgers football staff would be to stay in close contact with the recruit. In the future, Hoitink could potentially find his way back on campus in Madison for a scholarship offer, which could go a long way towards flipping the recruit.
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