Wisconsin Football: Badgers Favorite to Land 5-Star OT Nolan Rucci

According to 247Sports, the Wisconsin Football program is the favorite to land 5-star OT Nolan Rucci, who will be committing Tuesday evening.

Today – Tuesday, September 8th – is a potentially huge day for the Wisconsin Football program. The Badgers already have a stout 2021 class that ranks 17th in the nation, third in the Big Ten, and has tied a program record set by the 2020 class with five 4-start commitments.

However, later this evening, the 2021 class for Wisconsin could receive a major boost. Late last week, 5-star offensive tackle Nolan Rucci from Lititz, Pennsylvania, announced that he would be making his commitment decision Tuesday evening on CBS Sports HQ.

Along with Wisconsin, Rucci has Penn State, Clemson, Michigan, and Notre Dame in his final five, but according to 247Sports, it is the Badgers who are the favorites to land the 2021 class’ fifth-ranked tackle in the nation.

While his home state, Nittany Lions, seemed to be the favorite for some time, recently, Brian Dohn of 247Sports changed his crystal ball prediction from Penn State to the Badgers.

According to Dohn’s sources, two major factors playing a role in Rucci’s decision are the fact that his brother – Hayden Rucci – is currently on the roster as a tight end and that Wisconsin is consistently able to put offensive linemen into the NFL.

Others at 247Sports feel similarly as well, as Steve Wiltfong, Evan Flood, Bill Kurelic, and Sam Webb all have Rucci selecting Wisconsin. Meanwhile, Corey Fravel has Clemson, and Kevin Ryan has Penn State. This gives the Badgers a resounding 84.6 percent of the votes.

For a closer look at Rucci’s game, Director of Scouting at 247Sports, Barton Simmons, gives his scouting report:

"“Huge offensive line prospect with length, an athletic build and one of the more unique body types you will find. Plays with good knee bend and leverage for a player of his size. Coordinated and fluid as a second level blocker.Overwhelms defenders with size and force. Finishes blocks and runs his feet through contact. Has innate punch. Length and balance to be a high-end pass protector. Doesn’t show much pass protection on film. Stance needs work. Playing with pad level is a challenge due to body type. Competition level is not challenging.Very raw from a technique and experience standpoint but has the size and athleticism combination that makes him one of the most talented offensive line prospects in the 2020 class. May not contribute in year one but has the look of a future Power Five high end starter with first or second day NFL Draft upside.”"

Each Badger recruiting class continues to outrank the one before it, and the addition of Rucci would be another feather in the cap of Paul Chryst and Company as the 2021 class would be on its way to setting a new program record for its highest national ranking.

Let’s hope the crew over at 247Sports is right.