ROSEVILLE, Michigan — The collective silence that fell onto the room of more than 50 of Amare Snowden’s family members, teammates, teachers, administrators and guests Wednesday was reminiscent of a few weeks earlier when Luke Fickell was announced as University of Wisconsin football coach.
What broke the silence between the two scenes were very different emotions. At Roseville High School it was jubilation, relief and a cornerstone of certainty when Snowden, a four-star defensive back rated No. 236 nationally by Rivals, committed to and ceremonially signed with the Badgers over Cincinnati, Colorado, West Virginia and Howard.
“I just think Madison, Wisconsin was the best fit for me and my family,” Snowden told reporters moments after picking up a hat with a motion W logo on it.
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Fickell leaving Cincinnati was a surprise to so many, Snowden included. His family was in Jamaica and felt like he was left high and dry.
His father and coach, Vernard Snowden, said that Fickell earned his respect for not contacting Amare Snowden or the family until Cincinnati named Scott Satterfield as its coach.
“I’m gonna be honest with you, I cried,” Amare Snowden told BadgerExtra. “Coach Fickell and I were tight, like he met my family and my younger sister. It was hard to see him go to Wisconsin and in the two weeks that he didn’t communicate with us, it was hard. He didn’t want to overstep his boundaries because Cincinnati was still his home. Just when he called me to let me know he wanted me to be a Badger meant a lot.”
Fickell and defensive coordinator Mike Tressel had a secret sauce. While there was pain when Fickell left Cincinnati for Madison, Amare Snowden didn’t realize the perfect marriage that was forming.
He and his family visited Madison during the spring after he received an offer from Paul Chryst’s staff in January. It was a close battle between Wisconsin and Cincinnati, Vernard Snowden said, when his son committed to the Bearcats in June.
“When he committed to Cincinnati and coach Fickell left … this whole thing is that I think is confirmation to maybe Madison was where he should have been at anyway,” Vernard Snowden told BadgerExtra.
The plan Fickell and Tressel laid out to Amare Snowden, whose most recent visit was Friday through Sunday, was to get him on the field early as the boundary corner. Snowden was impressed with people calling out his name, wanting to take photos and sign autographs on his visit. While he missed the volleyball team’s NCAA Tournament matches, he was excited to meet Anna Smrek and take a photo with her, he said.
At 6 foot 3, 195 pounds, he is around the same size as Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, who Fickell recruited out of Detroit King High School to Cincinnati. Gardner became the highest NFL draft pick in Cincinnati’s history when he was selected fourth overall in 2022.
“I’m going to get on the field early especially. That defense coach Tressel is running, they need a boundary corner,” Amare Snowden said. “I can fill that, some people say it’s the 'Sauce position.' I’m long, I’m bigger, so I think I can fill that position really well.”
He is also a standout baseball player and will roam center field for Roseville in the spring before enrolling at UW.
“My (defensive backs) coach always said that I could do some stuff on the (football) field because I played baseball, turning my hips and running to cover a lot of ground,” Amare Snowden said. “So I just feel playing baseball will help me a lot. It’s hard for me to let it go, but at the end of the day, I’ve got bigger and better goals.”
While waiting for Fickell’s response after his job change, other schools came charging for Amare Snowden’s commitment. West Virginia put on a press that was reminiscent of its men’s basketball teams and hosted Snowden a week before his trip to Madison.
“It was a big battle between (UW) and West Virginia,” Vernard Snowden said.
Colorado then hired Deion Sanders from Jackson State. He offered Amare Snowden and made a strong pitch but was unable to get him on campus.
“I think that was one of my best offers, favorite offers,” Amare Snowden said. “Honestly, when coach Sanders calls you, that means a lot. … The crazy thing about it is, they wanted me to leave Wisconsin and spend two days and fly in early this morning just to offer. … It was a lot.”
But he turned down them all and “millions of dollars” elsewhere, he said, when asked if The Varsity Collective influenced his decision. He wanted to play early and often because he loves football and has bigger and better goals.
“We’re going to win. We’re going to win more than we won last year and we’re going to win a natty in four years,” he said.
He elevated a Roseville program that won its first playoff game and district title, Vernard Snowden said, and featured several Division I athletes.
“His leadership has literally been the reason why our program is in the point it is now,” Vernard Snowden said. “... And I’d be a fool to say that without his leadership, we would be in the same spot. His leadership knowing that his dad has been coaching all these years, knowing my expectations and everything and it poured out into our whole program.”
The family is excited to be in the Midwest footprint that Wisconsin and the Big Ten provide. It was the only member school in Amare Snowden’s top five, and he had something to say about that.
“Just know that Michigan and Michigan State, I’m coming,” he said. “You’ll feel me for the next four years.”
Four-star cornerback recruit Amare Snowden poses with his UW letter after he committed to and signed with the Badgers Wednesday at Roseville High School in Roseville, Michigan.
See who's in Wisconsin football's 2023 recruiting class
Tyler Jansey — Batavia (Illinois)
Consensus three-star linebacker Tyler Jansey became the first member of the Badgers’ 2023 recruiting class when he announced his commitment on Jan. 28.
The 6-foot-1, 225-pound inside linebacker ranks as the 10th-best player in his class in Illinois, per Rivals. He had 36 tackles and 5½ sacks in a six-game season as a sophomore and followed that up with 88 tackles and 16 tackles for loss in 11 games as a junior, according to MaxPreps. Jansey chose UW over offers from Eastern Illinois, Eastern Michigan, Toledo, Miami (Ohio) and others.
BadgerExtra exclusive: What Tyler Jansey can bring to the Badgers' ILB room
James Durand — Basha (Arizona)
James Durand became the first offensive lineman in the 2023 class when he committed on May 6.
The Chandler, Arizona, product is a 6-foot-6, 285-pound tackle/guard who had a number of offers. Arizona, BYU, California, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa State, Oregon State and Utah were among his suitors. Durand visited UW in late March and received his offer that weekend.
Durand has quick feet and good balance, which allow him to wall off defenders in pass blocks.
Justin ‘JT’ Taylor — Nazareth Academy (Illinois)
Consensus three-star defensive back Justin Taylor became the first member of the secondary to join the class when he verbally committed on May 13.
Taylor is a 6-foot, 185-pound athlete who could play cornerback or safety at the next level. He held offers to Kansas State, Army, Air Force and others before committing to UW. The Nazareth Academy (La Grange Park, Illinois) product is a native of Broadview, Illinois.
His tape shows good speed and instincts when playing the ball in the air.
Nate White — Milwaukee Rufus King
Three-star tailback Nate White from Milwaukee Rufus King became the sixth recruit in the 2023 class when he announced his decision in late May.
The 6-foot, 175-pound speedster had offers from Iowa State, Minnesota, Purdue, Kansas and others before choosing UW. White averaged 8.6 yards per carry and had 20 touchdowns as a junior, according to WisSports.net statistics.
BadgerExtra exclusive: Here's what Nate White can bring to the Badgers backfield
Jordan Mayer — Thomas Jefferson (Pennsylvania)
UW added long and strong outside linebacker Jordan Mayer to the recruiting class on June 12.
Mayer, a three-star prospect listed at 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds, played defensive end in high school but will join the Badgers' outside linebacker room. The former Boston College commit was choosing between UW, Cincinnati, West Virginia and Virginia Tech. Mayer hails from Jefferson Hills, Pennsylvania.
A.J. Tisdell — College Station (Texas)
UW defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard and cornerbacks coach Hank Poteat dipped into Texas to secure a commitment from rising cornerback prospect A.J. Tisdell.
The College Station native is a three-star recruit according to Rivals and he held offers from Baylor, California, Texas Tech, Vanderbilt and others before choosing UW. Listed at 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, Tisdell shows fluidity in his hips and strong hands at the point of attack.
Jace Arnold — Marietta (Georgia)
The Badgers pulled four-star cornerback Jace Arnold out of Georgia to secure their 11th commitment of the class on June 22.
Arnold, a 5-foot-11, 184-pound prospect from Marietta, had offers from Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisville, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt, among others.
Arnold is a willing tackler whose speed will be an asset for UW defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard.
Cole LaCrue — Broomfield (Colorado)
Class of 2023 quarterback Cole LaCrue during his unofficial visit to Wisconsin on Sept. 10.
The Badgers finally got their quarterback in the 2023 class when Cole LaCrue committed in early November.
The three-star prospect is listed at 6 foot 2 and 190 pounds and has shown good running ability at the high school level. He throws on the run well and shows good touch on throws down the field.
“I'm not your typical 7-on-7 guy," LaCrue told the State Journal. "I can sit in the pocket if you're gonna give it to me and I'm gonna dice you up. But if you're gonna take that, cloud it up, I'm gonna destroy you with my legs. So it's an opportunity where I see myself thriving and it’s an opportunity for me, I think, to revolutionize this Wisconsin offense and I can give it another look that it’s been waiting for.”
committed. @BadgerFootball @bobby_engram @jimleonhard @CaseyRabach_61 @CoachTurnerUW @Evan_Flood @adamgorney @BoCoPreps @BroomfieldEagl1 @SixZeroAcademy pic.twitter.com/C77C3ndYFN
— cole joseph lacrue (@lacruecole18) November 8, 2022
Jonas Duclona — Naples (Florida)
Three-star defensive back Jonas Duclona became the first recruit of the Luke Fickell era to commit to UW. He was originally committed to Fickell and his staff at Cincinnati, but chose to follow them to UW.
He had more than 30 scholarship offers out of high school. Duclona, listed at 6 foot and 170 pounds on his Hudl profile, is slated to play in the 2023 All-American Bowl in January.
ALL GLORY TO GOD 🙏🏾 UW I’M 1000% committed ⚪️🔴🦡‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️ @_maximus347 @PatLambert13 @CoachFick @BadgerFootball @CoachTurnerUW @CoachHitsch @RWrightRivals @247Sports pic.twitter.com/gprpGEUuuG
— Jonas Duclona 🇭🇹 (@DuclonaJonas) December 12, 2022
Braedyn Moore — Stephan T. Badin (Ohio)
A second Cincinnati commit flipped to the Badgers when Braedyn Moore picked UW.
The four-star safety is ranked by 247Sports as the No. 15 athlete in the class. He's listed by 247Sports at 6 foot 1½ and 190 pounds.
100% Commited 🦡🤟🏽🔴⚪️ #AGTG @CoachFick @CoachHitsch @PatLambert13 @_maximus347 @On3Recruits @247Sports @Rivals_Clint pic.twitter.com/brEL5cJDz9
— Braedyn Moore (@BraedynMoore) December 12, 2022
Tucker Ashcraft — O'Dea (Washington)
UW finally landed a tight end in the 2023 class when Tucker Ashcraft made his commitment to the Badgers.
Ashcraft was originally committed to Colorado, but reopened his recruitment after a coaching change for the Buffs. The three-star prospect is listed at 6 foot 5 and 235 pounds.
Christian Alliegro — Avon Old Farms School (Connecticut)
The Badgers picked up an intriuiging linebacker recruit out from a post-graduate school in Christian Alliegro.
The three-star prospect is listed at 6 foot 3 and 220 pounds, and he was a three-star lacrosse recruit as well.
Alliegro has tweeted Power Five offers from UW, Louisville, Maryland, Minnesota, NC State, Rutgers, Syracuse, Virginia and Wake Forest.
100% COMMITTED. Blessed. #OnWisconsin🔴⚪️ @CoachFick @CoachMikeTress @CoachTurnerUW @CoachAprilUW @JonathanWholley pic.twitter.com/xAaSg8zyoU
— Christian Alliegro (@ChristianAllie7) December 14, 2022
Amare Snowden — Roseville (Michigan)
The Badgers landed another former Cincinnati commit in four-star defensive back Amare Snowden on signing day.
Snowden was considering UW before he verbally committed to the Bearcats, but opened his recruiting after Luke Fickell became the Badgers coach. He signed with UW on Dec. 21. He is rated as a four-star recruit by 247Sports and a three-star by Rivals.
The 6-foot-3, 187-pound cornerback fits the prototype of long, rangy outside players that Fickell has had success with in the defensive backfield.
Amare Snowden chooses the #Badgers pic.twitter.com/iBKEbUOIvi
— Aaron Ferguson (@Sports_Aaron) December 21, 2022
Trech Kekahuna — Bishop Gorman (Nevada)
Trech Kekahuna flipped his commitment from Arizona to sign with the Badgers on Wednesday.
Luke Fickell and the Badgers landed a signing-day flip from receiver Trech Kekahuna.
He was a three-star prospect in 247Sports' composite rankings, but a four-star per Rivals.
Kekahuna was committed to the Badgers under coach Paul Chryst, but decommitted after Chryst was fired. He stayed in contact with Fickell upon his fire in late November and decided to join the UW program after committing to Arizona the week before signing day.
Kekahuna is a Hawaii native and attended Saint Louis High School — the program that produced UW All-American Nick Herbig — before attending Bishop Gorman High School as a senior.
Jamel Howard Jr. — Marist (Chicago)
Marist’s Jamel Howard Jr. commits to Wisconsin. #Badgers pic.twitter.com/xMPmJoOGXm
— Michal Dwojak (@mdwojak94) February 1, 2023
The Badgers finalized their recruiting class on Feb. 1, 2023 when defensive tackle Jamel Howard Jr. pledged to re-join the program. Howard was committed to UW under coach Paul Chryst, but decommitted after Chryst's firing. He was one of the top targets of new coach Luke Fickell and the Badgers held off offers from Illinois, LSU, Miami (Fla.) and Michigan to secure Howard's commitment.
Howard is listed at 6-foot-3 and 320 pounds, and could help fill the void at nose guard left by Keeanu Benton. He was a consensus three-star recruit.
In this Series
What you should know about Wisconsin football's busy recruiting cycle
Aaron Ferguson
Aaron joined Lee Sports Wisconsin as deputy editor in May 2022. He previously worked at the Peoria Journal Star and Times of Northwest Indiana. Aaron is a passionate sports fan, enjoys traveling and is an advocate for those with Angelman Syndrome.
