The Wisconsin Badgers recruiting staff has their eye on a special player within the 2026 recruiting class that could slide into the defense with ease.
JJ Dunnigan, a talented three-star recruit in the 2026 class, has become a cornerback that the Wisconsin recruiting staff is keeping close tabs on. Dunnigan is a native of Manhattan, Kansas, where Kansas State is located and plays all of their home football games. Both Kansas State and Kansas are two schools that have been heavily involved with the recruit since he has burst onto the scene.
Dunnigan is a freak athlete, and while many recruiting sites consider the player to be a cornerback, Dunnigan has something else to say. The athlete stated, “I am a diverse player, I can play cornerback, safety, and wide receiver.” Dunnigan attributes much of his success on the field to “athletic ability and football knowledge, along with size.”
The 6-foot-2-inch, 187-pound athlete is not lying when he states that his athletic ability and football knowledge set himself apart. Dunnigan makes wild plays at times whether it be the athlete reaching backwards while running full-speed to break up a play, or the athlete making tackles on significantly bigger players. In reality, there is not one position that can really contain and describe exactly what Dunnigan can offer a team on the football field.
Currently, Dunnigan states that the recruiting process has been “a mix of virtual meetings, phone calls, and occasional in-person visits” thus far. The recruit also added that Kansas State, Kansas, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Minnesota are the schools showing the most interest. Every school Dunnigan listed has already extended a scholarship, but there is still a list of schools involved without an offer on the table yet.
When it comes down to sorting through programs during the recruiting process, Dunnigan stated, “I am looking for development and opportunities with playing time.” The cornerback also added, “I seek programs that I have the best relationship with and I seek programs where I am needed.” Dunnigan finished by adding that he would be “grateful” for any offer, but feels as though he can make an impact right away regardless of which programs it is for.
How Could JJ Dunnigan Fit Into the Wisconsin Badgers Football Program?
If Dunnigan were to commit to the Wisconsin Badgers, the cornerback would likely not have much of an issue fitting right into the team.
As stated previously, Dunnigan is a speedy player and when speed is combined with football knowledge, a lethal defender is created. Dunnigan reads hips and eyes excellently on the field in coverage and also has tremendous hands given his ability to play receiver.
The skills the athlete has when it comes to play recognition and football intelligence are rather enticing for the Wisconsin Badgers staff. With the Wisconsin Badgers defense in mind, Dunnigan is very much so like talented cornerback Ricardo Hallman, who has great speed and an ability to snatch anything out of the air.
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