A new class of freshman will wear the Wisconsin football uniform this season. According to 247 Sports, the 2024 class is ranked 25th in the nation. This is one of the better classes in Wisconsin football history. There is a ton of hype as well as expectations. While the class is still young, there is a lot of potential. Here are some early notes on the 2024 class.
Wisconsin Football Top Player in the 2024 Class

I think the best player in the Wisconsin football 2024 class is offensive tackle Kevin Heywood. According to 247 Sports, Heywood is the 50th overall player in the 2024 class and the top ranked player in Pennsylvania.
Heywood was able to enroll early and participate in spring ball as well. Right now, I would not be surprised if Heywood is second on the depth chart at left tackle behind Jack Nelson. It is not common for a true freshman to be thought of this high right away.
Another player on the offensive line I am high on is Emerson Mandell. 247 Sports has Mandell as the second ranked player in Minnesota, a state that always produces solid offensive linemen. It was another player from a border state Wisconsin football was able to snag.
On the defensive line, I like what Ernest Willor Jr will provide right away. 247 Sports ranks Willor as the #3 ranked player in Maryland and the 120th ranked player in the 2024 class. The defensive line is a position Luke Fickell has been actively working on this off-season. Willor will be a great addition.
The last player that sticks out to me is quarterback Mabrey Mettauer. Mettauer is 6’4 and 215 pounds. He also was able to enroll early and participate in spring ball. While his reps seemed limited. Mettauer did show some flashes when he had the chance. I think he will be the Wisconsin football starting quarterback as early as 2026.
The 2024 Class Has a Ton of Pass Catchers

I think the 2024 class is loaded with athletic and talented pass catchers. Kyan Berry-Johnson is the only wide receiver recruit in the class, but part of that is because of the young room already. Berry-Johnson is a slot receiver at 5’10 and 162 pounds. It feels like he could be a Will Pauling replacement.
The class also includes three runniing backs in Dillin Jones, Darrion Dupree, and Gideon Ituka. All three are athletic players this Wisconsin football staff has high regards for. With Chez Mellusi and Tawee Walker in their last year of eligibility, there could be a ton of competition in this room in 2025.
Tight end sticks out to be the most. Wisconsin football adds Grant Stec and Rob Booker. Both are targets who can line up on the outside. This fit well in Phil Longo’s system as he wants to have threats all over the field. Stec is a four star tight end, while Booker de-committed from UCLA to come to Wisconsin.
Under-The-Radar Players

Berry-Johnson is one of my underrated players in this class. I will also add linebacker Thomas Heiberger and edge rusher Anelu Lafaele. Heiberger is the number one rated player in South Dakota. He might not play a ton this year with the depth and experience of the current linebacker room, but I love his upside.
Lafaele is the third ranked player in Hawaii who could see some playing time next year. Like Heiberger, he will likely have to wait his turn in 2024, but this seems to be another player Wisconsin football could have a gem in.
Follow me on Twitter @DylanBuboltz and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here! Also, check out our merch store for some amazing WSH merchandise!