It’s been quite the recruiting trail journey for a set of Badgers football commits.
Some saw one staff build close relationships with them only for an interim coach to take over. A different coach then took over less than a month ago. Several still stuck with their commitment and plan to sign with the University of Wisconsin when the 2023 early signing period begins Wednesday.
“I think for me, when you look for schools, a lot of guys, the coaches are just a plus,” offensive lineman James Durand said. “When I got on the campus originally and really got to know the team better, those are guys that I could see myself playing with. I think that's one of the biggest parts. I think as football players, we have to be ready to play for anybody at any time.
“As being a football coach, it's a business. So I think if you fall in love with the guys that you're gonna play next to, and the guys that are gonna play behind you, and it's also somewhere that you enjoy to spend your time, I think that's the reason I'm sticking around.”
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Durand originally gave his verbal commitment to the Badgers in May, the second for the program in the 2023 class. His decision came during a frenzied two-month period where UW saw 12 players initially declare their non-binding intentions to play under coach Paul Chryst.
Durand initially told BadgerExtra in October that he remained “absolutely dead set” on joining the program after athletic director Chris McIntosh dismissed Chryst and inserted Jim Leonhard as interim coach at the beginning of that month. The four-star recruit by 247Sports composite rankings, On3’s standalone rankings and Rivals did not waver when McIntosh hired Luke Fickell as the Badgers' permanent replacement for Chryst.
“I really trusted that the AD really made a good choice for the program,” Durand said last week, “and that there was a vision for bringing back the dynasty that Wisconsin football has been for, really almost 30 years.”
Cornerback Jace Arnold recalled his surprise when UW brought in Fickell from Cincinnati, but he said it will be a “a great, great situation” after he sat down with the new coach and the staff. Georgia Southern, Duke, Mississippi State and Northwestern contacted him, but he also didn’t flinch.
“Some schools had tried, but I still wanted to be locked in 100% with them,” Arnold said. “Just because I knew … it was gonna be a good hire. I knew either way it went.”
Arnold’s choice to stick with his verbal commitment to UW wasn’t a difficult one.
“I fell in love with the place and not so much the coaching staff,” he said. “They were great, but the place and some of the players and some of the people that they had there, it was just real easy for me to stay down (with) Wisconsin and not sway away just because of how great the place is and everything.
“Even with the new coaching staff, it was even better with that because I know what coach Fickell can do for the program and the rest of the coaching staff can do. So it was a pretty, pretty easy decision.”
Arnold’s main contact now is former Cincinnati co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Colin Hitschler, whose hiring has not been announced by UW but is listed in UW's directory as an assistant coach. Arnold said the coaches still envision him playing as a field cornerback or inside at nickel.
The 6-foot-6, 285-pound Durand primarily speaks with Jack Bicknell Jr., whose hiring also hasn't been announced by UW but is listed as an assistant coach in the UW directory. Durand said he believes he still is projected to play as an interior lineman.
“They're super energetic,” Durand said about the new staff. “They love Wisconsin, and they’re as bought into Wisconsin as I am, as all the other recruits are.
“It's super awesome to have that energy, and it's a contagious kind of energy, which I think is really going to carry over to soon, some really high productivity in the next couple of years.”
Arnold, a four-star prospect by ESPN, said the staff has been honest with him.
“They said that they would love to have me,” the cornerback said. “They're really ready to get to know me, get to know my family and coach me. And I felt like watching the staff and watching what they were doing at Cincinnati, for him to come over to Wisconsin, it's a big deal. It's a major deal, and I think that they can elevate how I play, elevate the team’s play and everything.
“I think that now we can start talking about Big Ten championships, college playoffs, national championships. So really just with that being the goal, I know that with this staff that we can get it done.”
Both Arnold and Durand came to Madison on two official visits each this year — once in June then earlier this month. So did commits Tyler Jansey, Nate White, Justin Taylor and Jordan Mayer. Quarterback Cole LaCrue announced his decision to join the Badgers in November and took his only official visit to UW earlier this month.
Those players have seen six potential future teammates publicly reopen their recruiting since November and head to other Power Five programs.
“We’ve just been staying in contact through this whole thing,” Arnold said. “Just checking up on each other, making sure everybody's good and making sure that everybody's still locked in because we were so uncertain of what was gonna happen with all the coaching changes and everything. But we just stuck it out together and tried to figure this thing out without jumping ship.”
UW’s first recruiting class under Fickell will consist of a mix of these “old” commits with “new” members. The Badgers received verbal commitments from four players alone last week — linebacker Christian Alliegro, tight end Tucker Ashcraft, cornerback Jonas Duclona and safety Braedyn Moore.
All four took official visits the same December weekend as Arnold, Jansey, LaCrue, Mayer, Taylor and White.
“It was great seeing some of the older commits because I built a bond with those guys, so that was great,” Arnold said. “... It was great seeing all of them again, talking about the future and seeing what we can get done.
“Jonas and Braedyn, I'll say, me and Jonas, we bonded pretty well for that to be the first time meeting him. I had to do a little recruiting for him and Braedyn. It was great, though. Two great guys, two great additions. Happy to have them in our secondary. It's gonna be a lot of fun.”
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
Jake Kocorowski | Wisconsin State Journal
Jake Kocorowski has covered University of Wisconsin football since 2013 and joined the Wisconsin State Journal team in May 2022. He delivers extensive coverage of Badgers football and other programs via print, video, podcast.
