The Wisconsin Badgers are making a concerted focus on taking care of the offensive line for years to come. With two 4-star commits, and three 3-star commits expected to join the program next year, Rivals has graded the Wisconsin Badgers incoming offensive line class as being in the top five in the country. For a program that has always started from the strength of good offensive line play, this is an encouraging recruiting sign.
Wisconsin Badgers Two 4-Star Players
Kevin Heywood is a 6’7 tackle from Royersford, Pennsylvannia. As a top 200 recruit of the nation, and 16th best line prospect he is a player that will be looking to be a regular contributing player in the rotation. Look for him to build his resume here and for his name to be called on Sundays in the future.
Emerson Mandell is a 6’5 interior lineman from Saint Paul, Minnesota. A top three player in the state, and being just outside of the top 200 nationally, he had multiple other Big Ten schools scouting for his services. Some are even speculating that he could be lining up on the defensive line as well.
Wisconsin Badgers Native
For a program that prides itself on homegrown recruits, 6’6 Derek Jensen looks to contribute. Hailing from Hartland, Wisconsin, the three star tackle, is a top five ranked recruit from the state of Wisconsin.
His commitment came after an in-person visit from Coach Fickell, in which the coach point blank asked him why he hadn’t declared his intention to play for Wisconsin. With multiple respected teams offering Jensen, as well as several Big Ten opponents, him coming to the Wisconsin Badgers will prove to be a good signing.
Wisconsin Badgers Two Out-Of-State Recruits
Colin Cubberly is a tackle, from Lagrangeville, New York. The 6’6 prospect is ranked as a top 5 recruit from the New York state. Despite a late visit to the Pittsburgh campus, he looks to remain as an incoming Wisconsin Badger. After four total visits to WIsconsin, and having met Coach Fickell while still at Cincinnati, his established relationship was enough to make him feel comfortable to join the program.
The three star 6’4 lineman, Ryan Cory is from Gibsonia, Pennsylvania. A top 20 prospect within his home state, he has also made a late visit to Pittsburgh, as well as Vanderbilt, but remains committed to playing at Camp Randall. For someone that committed with Heyward after Coach Kickell and Bicknell jumped off of boat into the water, he has the perfect mindset to fit in with the Wisconsin players.
Watching the clips from all of these players, they all looked hungry and dominant in their blocking assignments. While we’ll have to see how they adjust to the collegiate level, all five of these players are potential power five starters, and will improve the O-Line room in the fall. They are all big bodies, that clearly learned how to use their athleticism in high school to leverage blocks. It will be fun to watch them develop as Wisconsin Badgers.
For a first full recruiting cycle of new Wisconsin Badger leader Coach Fickell, going into his second year, it appears that the NFL factory is set up to remain in operation from the offensive line positions.
