A top 2027 class in-state target for the Wisconsin Badgers recently switched full-time to a defensive position that has ignited his recruitment.
Richie Flanigan, who was previously a four-star interior offensive lineman in the 2027 recruiting class, recently made the change and will play defensive line moving forward. The Wisconsin native had previously been heavily recruited by Badgers offensive line coach AJ Blazek but has since been in contact with defensive line coach EJ Whitlow.
Wisconsin sees Flanigan as a potential fit along the defensive line as an edge and currently the in-state star is considered to be one of the top defensive targets for the Badgers. Flanigan holds a handful of scholarship offers including offers from Michigan, Illinois, Notre Dame, and Northwestern. Despite moving over to defense, many programs have stayed in contact with Flanigan and new programs are bound to become interested.
Wisconsin Badgers Aiming to Keep Richie Flanigan In-State Despite Position Change
Wisconsin was previously all-in on Flanigan and despite the position change the staff still believes that the athlete is both a schematic fit and a cultural fit. On the defensive side of the football, Flanigan is a quick and athletic rusher who possesses far beyond average strength on the field.
Flanigan recorded personal best lifts of a 550-pound deadlift and a 290-pound bench press for his 6-foot-3-inch, 275-pound frame. The long frame of the defender is not just used for power and speed either as Flanigan utilizes his reach to make tackles before the ball-carrier passes by. The defender manages to make athletic stops due to his size and length that other players would likely not be able to complete.
The combination of size and power that Flanigan possesses is excellent, but the speed of the defender is what will truly set himself apart from others along the defensive line. Flanigan possesses incredible speed, sacking quarterbacks in record time and blowing up play-action plays before the fake hand-off is completed.
In addition to being strong and quick, Flanigan is also a high-motor player who plays high energy football and consistently aims to excite. Between big hits, long pursuits, and key plays, the defender pushes both the energy and tempo of play in a way that the Wisconsin Badgers enjoy watching.
With great abilities comes great knowledge and understanding how to use different skills on the field is an advanced skill. Something Flanigan has developed and begun to excel at is picking between speed and power when needed. The mental aspects of the game have come easily for Flanigan and much of the success that the defender has had early on has been due to opponents struggling to keep up.
For the Wisconsin Badgers, Flanigan is currently the man right at the top of the list in the 2027 cycle given his proximity to the school and rare talent at a position of need.
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