5-star in-state recruit flips from Wisconsin to College Football Playoff contender

Landyn Locke became Wisconsin's first 2025 commit when he announced his intentions to become a Badger in June 2023. 

Locke, the younger brother of current Wisconsin quarterback Braedyn Locke, is a consensus three-star recruit who’s listed at 6-4 and 185 pounds on Hudl. He was named District 10-6A co-offensive MVP for the 2023 season. He completed 60.6% of his throws for 1,702 yards and 19 touchdowns to only four interceptions as a junior, according to MaxPreps.

Remington Moss, who's father is a cousin of former Wisconsin running back great Brent Moss, announced his commitment to the Badgers in August 2023. 

Moss is rated as a four-star recruit by On3 and 247Sports composite rankings. On3 evaluates him as the No. 192 player in the 2025 class as of June 12.

He's been back to Madison multiple times since committing to Wisconsin, and his position versatility could help the defensive backfield.

Wisconsin won a key recruiting battle for Michael Roeske, an in-state offensive lineman who said Notre Dame was also one of his top schools before deciding to stay home. The Wautoma product also announced Power Four offers from the following schools: Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Syracuse and defending national champion Michigan.

As of June 12, Roeske was rated as a four-star recruit by On3's Industry rankings, which is the outlet's algorithm that computes evaluations from the four major recruiting outlets.

Another key in-state target, Cooper Catalano announced his commitment to Wisconsin in November 2023. Catalano's a consensus three-star recruit who also tweeted offers from Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas, Minnesota, Michigan State and Missouri.  

Catalano earned all-state large school honorable mention accolades from the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association as a junior. He finished the 2023 season with 138 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions, according to wissports.net.

Expect Catalano to play for Mike Tressel's inside linebacker room when he arrives as an expected early enrollee starting in January 2025. 

Jai'mier Scott was another early recruiting win for coach Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin staff, as he announced his commitment in January.

Scott is rated as a four-star recruit by On3, Rivals and 247Sports composite rankings as of June 2024. Rivals evaluates him the highest as the No. 136 player in the 2025 class.

He announced offers from the following Power Four schools: Boston College, Cincinnati, Duke (under current Texas A&M coach Mike Elko), Georgia Tech, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Scott's another defensive back who could provide versatility to Wisconsin's safety room. He recorded 56 tackles, seven tackles for loss, five passes defended and two interceptions this past season as a junior, according to the Southwest Ohio Conference.

Jai'mier Scott commitment tweet

Brenden Anes was the first outside linebacker commit for the Badgers when he announced his intentions to play for Wisconsin in January.

A consensus high three-star recruit, Anes announced offers from Charlotte, Duke, Indiana, Liberty, Memphis, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Western Kentucky and Wisconsin.

He finished his junior season with 99 tackles, 31 total tackles for loss, eight sacks, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and three defensive touchdowns, according to Franklin Page football coach Charles Rathbone.

Sam Lateju is another long, athletic recruit (listed at 6 foot 5 and 230 pounds on Hudl) in the style the Wisconsin staff is looking for at the outside linebacker position.

Lateju committed to Wisconsin in March. He took an unofficial visit during one of the program's junior day events in the winter.

He is a consensus three-star recruit who had previously tweeted Power Four offers from Boston College, Cincinnati, Duke, Maryland, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, West Virginia, Wake Forest and Wisconsin.

Neenah's Grant Dean visited twice in the spring before receiving an offer from the home-state Badgers, but he jumped on the offer once it was presented by the staff.

Dean, a three-star defensive back, announced his commitment to Wisconsin in April. He announced offers from Army, Northern Illinois, Wyoming and FCS powerhouses North Dakota State and South Dakota State before committing to Wisconsin.

Dean was a two-way standout for Neenah, rushing for 1,774 yards on 7.3 yards per carry with 25 touchdowns in 2023, according to wissports.net. The site also reported that he finished his junior season with 59 tackles, one tackle for loss and two interceptions.

Dean could be another versatile member of Wisconsin's safety group.

Grant Dean commitment tweet

The first offensive line commit for new assistant AJ Blazek came from Cam Clark, who announced his decision to become a Badger in April.

Clark's a consensus three-star lineman who has announced Power Four offers from Cincinnati, Duke, Georgia Tech, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan State, Minnesota, Purdue and Wisconsin, among others.

Wisconsin locked in a key target when Cameron Miller announced his commitment on May 15.

Miller, a four-star recruit by On3's Industry rankings as of June 12, is projected to play the crucial slot receiver position in Phil Longo's Air Raid passing scheme. 

He caught 59 receptions for 1,342 yards receiving and 15 touchdowns as a junior last season, according to Winslow Township coach Bill Belton, with Miller breaking the school’s single-season records for receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.

cameron miller commitment tweet

Wisconsin started its June official visit season on the right foot with the commitment of offensive lineman Logan Powell on June 1.

Powell's a four-star recruit according to 247Sports, Rivals and On3's Industry rankings. Wisconsin was among his top five schools April 23, which included Alabama, Arizona State, Oklahoma and Tennessee. He also announced offers from Florida State, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Southern Cal and Washington, among others.

Wisconsin said he can play on the interior of the line at guard or potentially even center, according to Powell.

Logan Powell commitment tweet

Rukeem Stroud followed Logan Powell as recruits who announced their commitments to Wisconsin during the weekend of their official visits.

Stroud is a four-star recruit by Rivals as of June, and both 247Sports and On3 view him as a high three-star recruit. He’s tweeted notable Power Four offers from the following programs: Colorado, Duke, Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, Louisville, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Texas A&M, Utah and Wisconsin, among others.

Expect Stroud, who announced June 2 his commitment, to man one of Wisconsin's cornerback spots under assistant Paul Haynes.

Rukeem Stroud commitment tweet

Nolan Davenport 27Apr2024

Another highly rated offensive lineman committed to Wisconsin in June with the addition of Nolan Davenport.

Nolan Davenport commitment tweet

Wisconsin continues to find recruits to add to its program from the Chicagoland area with the commitment of Jahmare Washington.

Washington, a three-star recruit by 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals, took an official visit to Madison the weekend of June 7-9. He then announced June 9 his intentions to become a Badger.

Washington, listed at 6 foot 2 and 170 pounds on Hudl, is expected to play cornerback in the Badgers' defense.

Washington received Power Four interest, with announced offers from Indiana, Iowa State, Kansas State and Michigan State.

Jahmare Washington commitment tweet

Wisconsin finally found its 2025 tight end when Nizyi Davis announced his commitment June 10.

Wisconsin didn't give up in pursuing Torin Pettaway after his flip to Minnesota in late March, and it paid off for the Badgers less than three months later.

Pettaway, a three-star recruit from nearby Middleton, flipped back his commitment to Wisconsin on June 11.

Pettaway, who is listed at 6 foot 5 on wissports.net, told BadgerExtra in June that he was around 285 pounds. All four major recruiting outlets evaluate him as a three-star recruit after his first season of playing high school football. He announced Power Four offers from Nebraska, Minnesota, Southern Cal, Wisconsin, Rutgers, Illinois and Washington.

Landyn Locke became Wisconsin's first 2025 commit when he announced his intentions to become a Badger in June 2023. 

Locke, the younger brother of current Wisconsin quarterback Braedyn Locke, is a consensus three-star recruit who’s listed at 6-4 and 185 pounds on Hudl. He was named District 10-6A co-offensive MVP for the 2023 season. He completed 60.6% of his throws for 1,702 yards and 19 touchdowns to only four interceptions as a junior, according to MaxPreps.

Remington Moss, who's father is a cousin of former Wisconsin running back great Brent Moss, announced his commitment to the Badgers in August 2023. 

Moss is rated as a four-star recruit by On3 and 247Sports composite rankings. On3 evaluates him as the No. 192 player in the 2025 class as of June 12.

He's been back to Madison multiple times since committing to Wisconsin, and his position versatility could help the defensive backfield.

Wisconsin won a key recruiting battle for Michael Roeske, an in-state offensive lineman who said Notre Dame was also one of his top schools before deciding to stay home. The Wautoma product also announced Power Four offers from the following schools: Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Syracuse and defending national champion Michigan.

As of June 12, Roeske was rated as a four-star recruit by On3's Industry rankings, which is the outlet's algorithm that computes evaluations from the four major recruiting outlets.

Another key in-state target, Cooper Catalano announced his commitment to Wisconsin in November 2023. Catalano's a consensus three-star recruit who also tweeted offers from Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas, Minnesota, Michigan State and Missouri.  

Catalano earned all-state large school honorable mention accolades from the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association as a junior. He finished the 2023 season with 138 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions, according to wissports.net.

Expect Catalano to play for Mike Tressel's inside linebacker room when he arrives as an expected early enrollee starting in January 2025. 

Jai'mier Scott was another early recruiting win for coach Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin staff, as he announced his commitment in January.

Scott is rated as a four-star recruit by On3, Rivals and 247Sports composite rankings as of June 2024. Rivals evaluates him the highest as the No. 136 player in the 2025 class.

He announced offers from the following Power Four schools: Boston College, Cincinnati, Duke (under current Texas A&M coach Mike Elko), Georgia Tech, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Scott's another defensive back who could provide versatility to Wisconsin's safety room. He recorded 56 tackles, seven tackles for loss, five passes defended and two interceptions this past season as a junior, according to the Southwest Ohio Conference.

Brenden Anes was the first outside linebacker commit for the Badgers when he announced his intentions to play for Wisconsin in January.

A consensus high three-star recruit, Anes announced offers from Charlotte, Duke, Indiana, Liberty, Memphis, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Western Kentucky and Wisconsin.

He finished his junior season with 99 tackles, 31 total tackles for loss, eight sacks, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and three defensive touchdowns, according to Franklin Page football coach Charles Rathbone.

Sam Lateju is another long, athletic recruit (listed at 6 foot 5 and 230 pounds on Hudl) in the style the Wisconsin staff is looking for at the outside linebacker position.

Lateju committed to Wisconsin in March. He took an unofficial visit during one of the program's junior day events in the winter.

He is a consensus three-star recruit who had previously tweeted Power Four offers from Boston College, Cincinnati, Duke, Maryland, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, West Virginia, Wake Forest and Wisconsin.

Neenah's Grant Dean visited twice in the spring before receiving an offer from the home-state Badgers, but he jumped on the offer once it was presented by the staff.

Dean, a three-star defensive back, announced his commitment to Wisconsin in April. He announced offers from Army, Northern Illinois, Wyoming and FCS powerhouses North Dakota State and South Dakota State before committing to Wisconsin.

Dean was a two-way standout for Neenah, rushing for 1,774 yards on 7.3 yards per carry with 25 touchdowns in 2023, according to wissports.net. The site also reported that he finished his junior season with 59 tackles, one tackle for loss and two interceptions.

Dean could be another versatile member of Wisconsin's safety group.

The first offensive line commit for new assistant AJ Blazek came from Cam Clark, who announced his decision to become a Badger in April.

Clark's a consensus three-star lineman who has announced Power Four offers from Cincinnati, Duke, Georgia Tech, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan State, Minnesota, Purdue and Wisconsin, among others.

Wisconsin locked in a key target when Cameron Miller announced his commitment on May 15.

Miller, a four-star recruit by On3's Industry rankings as of June 12, is projected to play the crucial slot receiver position in Phil Longo's Air Raid passing scheme. 

He caught 59 receptions for 1,342 yards receiving and 15 touchdowns as a junior last season, according to Winslow Township coach Bill Belton, with Miller breaking the school’s single-season records for receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.

Wisconsin started its June official visit season on the right foot with the commitment of offensive lineman Logan Powell on June 1.

Powell's a four-star recruit according to 247Sports, Rivals and On3's Industry rankings. Wisconsin was among his top five schools April 23, which included Alabama, Arizona State, Oklahoma and Tennessee. He also announced offers from Florida State, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Southern Cal and Washington, among others.

Wisconsin said he can play on the interior of the line at guard or potentially even center, according to Powell.

Rukeem Stroud followed Logan Powell as recruits who announced their commitments to Wisconsin during the weekend of their official visits.

Stroud is a four-star recruit by Rivals as of June, and both 247Sports and On3 view him as a high three-star recruit. He’s tweeted notable Power Four offers from the following programs: Colorado, Duke, Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, Louisville, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Texas A&M, Utah and Wisconsin, among others.

Expect Stroud, who announced June 2 his commitment, to man one of Wisconsin's cornerback spots under assistant Paul Haynes.

Another highly rated offensive lineman committed to Wisconsin in June with the addition of Nolan Davenport.

Wisconsin continues to find recruits to add to its program from the Chicagoland area with the commitment of Jahmare Washington.

Washington, a three-star recruit by 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals, took an official visit to Madison the weekend of June 7-9. He then announced June 9 his intentions to become a Badger.

Washington, listed at 6 foot 2 and 170 pounds on Hudl, is expected to play cornerback in the Badgers' defense.

Washington received Power Four interest, with announced offers from Indiana, Iowa State, Kansas State and Michigan State.

Wisconsin finally found its 2025 tight end when Nizyi Davis announced his commitment June 10.

Wisconsin didn't give up in pursuing Torin Pettaway after his flip to Minnesota in late March, and it paid off for the Badgers less than three months later.

Pettaway, a three-star recruit from nearby Middleton, flipped back his commitment to Wisconsin on June 11.

Pettaway, who is listed at 6 foot 5 on wissports.net, told BadgerExtra in June that he was around 285 pounds. All four major recruiting outlets evaluate him as a three-star recruit after his first season of playing high school football. He announced Power Four offers from Nebraska, Minnesota, Southern Cal, Wisconsin, Rutgers, Illinois and Washington.

Mason Posa became Wisconsin's highest-rated commit of its 2025 class when he announced June 13 his commitment to the Badgers.

Posa is a consensus four-star recruit, with 247Sports evaluating him the highest as the No. 154 player and No. 18 linebacker in the 2025 class as of June 13. He finished his junior season with 133 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, nine sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions, according to Hudl.

Posa was one of the priority recruits for coach Luke Fickell and his staff, and he took two multi-day trips in May. That included an official visit to campus the weekend of May 31-June 2.

He's expected to play at one of Wisconsin's inside linebacker positions, joining Germantown's Cooper Catalano.

Posa is also a two-sports standout, as he has won three state championships in wrestling.

Mason Posa commitment tweet

Mason Posa became Wisconsin's highest-rated commit of its 2025 class when he announced June 13 his commitment to the Badgers.

Posa is a consensus four-star recruit, with 247Sports evaluating him the highest as the No. 154 player and No. 18 linebacker in the 2025 class as of June 13. He finished his junior season with 133 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, nine sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions, according to Hudl.

Posa was one of the priority recruits for coach Luke Fickell and his staff, and he took two multi-day trips in May. That included an official visit to campus the weekend of May 31-June 2.

He's expected to play at one of Wisconsin's inside linebacker positions, joining Germantown's Cooper Catalano.

Posa is also a two-sports standout, as he has won three state championships in wrestling.

Wisconsin’s summer success on the recruiting trail through the first two weeks of June continued with a verbal commitment from Eugene Hilton Jr.

Hilton, a four-star wide receiver by Rivals and 247Sports composite rankings, announced his decision June 14. Rivals also evaluated him as the No. 55 wide receiver and No. 6 player in the state of Indiana as of the date of commitment.

Hilton caught 46 passes for 836 yards and 10 receiving touchdowns last season as a junior, according to Zionsville. He is the son of former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton.

The Badgers secured eight commitments for its 2025 class between June 1 and June 14. All had taken official visits during those first two weekends, and Hilton made the trek to Madison for the weekend of June 7-9. 

Two commits have come from the state of Indiana, which the Wisconsin staff targeted in this cycle, during this span in Hilton and Indianapolis Lawrence Central tight end Nizyi Davis. 

Wisconsin received its third commitment for Matt Mitchell's outside linebacker room with the addition of Nicolas Clayton.

Clayton, who plays for Gainesville Buccholz in Florida, tweeted his decision June 22. He took official visits to Nebraska, Central Florida, Wisconsin, Tulane and Florida State. He has also tweeted offers from Duke, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan State, Purdue and Southern Cal, among others.

Clayton, listed at 6 foot 5 and 215 pounds on Hudl, was bumped to a four-star recruit by Rivals and 247Sports composite rankings this fall. He was one of three Wisconsin 2025 commits from Florida at one point during this recruiting cycle, but now is the lone member from the Sunshine State.

Nicolas Clayton commitment tweet

Xavier Ukponu, a consensus three-star recruit who plays for Denton (Texas) Guyer, announced Aug. 5 his commitment to Wisconsin.

Ukponu received significant interest during his recruiting journey. He tweeted a graphic in February that showed notable Power Four offers from Florida, LSU, Miami, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oregon, Southern Cal, Tennessee and Texas, among others. He took official visits to California, Arkansas and LSU, according to this Twitter account.

Ukponu traveled to Wisconsin for an unofficial visit on July 26 and later returned to Madison the weekend of Aug. 26 for the Penn State game.

He's listed at 6 foot 3 and 300 pounds on Hudl, and his size, frame and strength could help fortify Wisconsin's interior defensive line for defensive coordinator Mike Tressel and assistant E.J. Whitlow. 

Xavier Ukponu commitment tweet

Bork was the third 2025 recruit that Wisconsin flipped from a Big Ten rival.

Bork is a consensus three-star recruit who plays for Oconomowoc, announced Oct. 28 his commitment to the Badgers. He initially made the decision to play for Michigan State in May, and he had also tweeted Big Ten offers from Illinois, Indiana and Rutgers.

Bork expects to enroll early at Wisconsin in January. He's listed at 6 foot 6 and 245 pounds on WisSports, and that could project to more of an in-line tight end role once in the Badgers' strength and conditioning program.

He has abilities to influence both the run and passing game. The site credits him with 17 receptions for 198 yards receiving and two touchdowns in eight regular season games as a senior.

Emmett Bork commitment tweet

Wisconsin picked up one of its highest-rated players of the 2025 class when Hardy Watts announced July 1 his commitment to the Badgers. Clemson and Michigan were his two other top schools, and he also took official visits to all three programs this summer.

Watts is a four-star recruit and No. 139 player in the 2025 class, according to On3. He received plenty of interest, announcing notable Power Four offers from the following: Alabama, Boston College, Georgia, Miami, Nebraska, North Carolina, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt, among others. 

Watts, who plays for Brookline Dexter in Massachusetts, is among five projected offensive lineman to be a part of Wisconsin's 2025 class. If those handful keep with their commitments, it would be the second consecutive recruiting cycle that the Badgers would have five players for that position group. Watts also planned to enroll early as of this summer.

Wisconsin was able to flip multiple recruits from Big Ten rivals during this 2025 class, including this Ohio standout who should help the Badgers' defensive line.

Wisconsin received its third commitment for Matt Mitchell's outside linebacker room with the addition of Nicolas Clayton.

Clayton, who plays for Gainesville Buccholz in Florida, tweeted his decision June 22. He took official visits to Nebraska, Central Florida, Wisconsin, Tulane and Florida State. He has also tweeted offers from Duke, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan State, Purdue and Southern Cal, among others.

Clayton, listed at 6 foot 5 and 215 pounds on Hudl, was bumped to a four-star recruit by Rivals and 247Sports composite rankings this fall. He was one of three Wisconsin 2025 commits from Florida at one point during this recruiting cycle, but now is the lone member from the Sunshine State.

Xavier Ukponu, a consensus three-star recruit who plays for Denton (Texas) Guyer, announced Aug. 5 his commitment to Wisconsin.

Ukponu received significant interest during his recruiting journey. He tweeted a graphic in February that showed notable Power Four offers from Florida, LSU, Miami, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oregon, Southern Cal, Tennessee and Texas, among others. He took official visits to California, Arkansas and LSU, according to this Twitter account.

Ukponu traveled to Wisconsin for an unofficial visit on July 26 and later returned to Madison the weekend of Aug. 26 for the Penn State game.

He's listed at 6 foot 3 and 300 pounds on Hudl, and his size, frame and strength could help fortify Wisconsin's interior defensive line for defensive coordinator Mike Tressel and assistant E.J. Whitlow. 

Bork was the third 2025 recruit that Wisconsin flipped from a Big Ten rival.

Bork is a consensus three-star recruit who plays for Oconomowoc, announced Oct. 28 his commitment to the Badgers. He initially made the decision to play for Michigan State in May, and he had also tweeted Big Ten offers from Illinois, Indiana and Rutgers.

Bork expects to enroll early at Wisconsin in January. He's listed at 6 foot 6 and 245 pounds on WisSports, and that could project to more of an in-line tight end role once in the Badgers' strength and conditioning program.

He has abilities to influence both the run and passing game. The site credits him with 17 receptions for 198 yards receiving and two touchdowns in eight regular season games as a senior.

The University of Wisconsin football team saw one outside linebacker flip in October, but it gained back one less than a month later with a four-star recruit.

Jaylen Williams, who played for Palatine High School in Florida, announced his flip of commitment from Michigan to Wisconsin on Nov. 20.

Williams is a four-star recruit by three major recruiting outlets: On3, 247Sports and Rivals. On3 evaluates him the highest as the No. 208 overall player. 

The Badgers hosted Williams on an official visit the weekend of Nov. 17 when they hosted No. 1 Oregon. Wisconsin now has three outside linebacker commits for this class with Williams' commitment, joining Nicolas Clayton (Gainesville Buchholz, Florida) and Samuel Lateju (The Lawrenceville School, New Jersey). Brenden Anes (Franklin Page, Tennessee) flipped his commitment to Tennessee in late October.