Wisconsin football: Grading Badgers 2021 recruiting class

Here are grades for the Wisconsin football 2021 recruiting class, with Paul Chryst and the Badgers cracking the top 20 in the overall rankings in the early signing period. 

Despite the continued success of Wisconsin football, they haven’t often been a top-tier program in terms of recruiting. However, Paul Chryst has started to change that narrative in recent years. In 2018, they were the No. 46-ranked class overall. Now in 2021 after the early signing period, the Badgers are inside the top 20 overall.

With the developmental infrastructure in place in Madison, that should be a wake-up call for the rest of the Big Ten and perhaps the national college football landscape. Because this Wisconsin recruiting class for 2021 could be something that vaults the program to new heights.

Taking that into account, let’s give out a grade and some analysis for the 2021 Wisconsin football recruiting class. Note: All rankings are via the 247 Sports Composite.

Biggest Wisconsin football commit for 2021: Nolan Rucci, OT

Wisconsin has been an undeniable factory of offensive linemen under Chryst and even before then, but that has often been the result of development. So when they get a player the caliber of 5-star Nolan Rucci, it should turn some heads. The 6-foot-8, 295-pounder is the No. 15 overall recruit in the 2021 class and could be a day-one starter for the Badgers offensive line and a linchpin in what the offense does offensively moving forward.

Strengths, weaknesses of the 2021 Wisconsin football recruiting class

With Rucci and in typical Badgers fashion, the offensive line is the strength of this class as their top-three recruits are all offensive linemen, all three ranking inside the top 150 overall. That’s big news for an offense that loves to pound the rock.

The defensive back haul for the 2021 recruiting class is a bit lackluster. They have one secondary player ranked inside the top 250, but he’s also the only player inside the top 600 among defensive backs. That could be something to watch moving forward.

Diamond in the rough of the 2021 Wisconsin football class: Jack Pugh, TE

Especially when Wisconsin is playing run-first football, they tend to rely heavily on the tight end in the passing game. Thus, a receiving tight end like Pugh is attractive for the Badgers. With a big frame that can easily add weight, he has upside as a true in-line player but should contribute as a pass-catcher early on.

Where does Wisconsin football rank in the 2021 recruiting cycle?

As mentioned, Wisconsin has cracked the top 20 overall as the No. 16-ranked class in the country. They are also the No. 3 class in the Big Ten, which is a strong, strong showing for the Badgers.

Wisconsin football recruiting grade: A

The Badgers cracking the top 20 is huge and doing so on the strength of three top-150 O-linemen is right in their wheelhouse to parlay this class into wins down the road.

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