Consistency, repertoire of pass rush moves fuel play of UW football recruit Hank Weber

MADISON – Part of what sold Hank Weber on the Wisconsin football program was the prospect of getting some hands-on coaching from head coach Luke Fickell.

"The defense that (defensive coordinator) coach (Mike) Tressel runs was appealing because of how aggressive it is," Weber told the Tennessean. "And I've been told that coach Fickell sometimes likes to lead the defensive line meetings. That was a huge deal for me."

Weber became the first defensive lineman to join the Badgers’ 2024 class Monday. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound end from Brentwood Academy just outside of Nashville is a consensus three-star prospect who also strongly considered Vanderbilt and North Carolina. During the course of his recruitment Weber received offers from Mississippi, Mississippi State, Michigan State and Kentucky. This past winter and spring he received offers from Virginia Tech, Purdue and Georgia Tech.

While the opportunity to work with Fickell was key, Weber also seemed to build a good rapport with defensive line coach Greg Scruggs.

"Wisconsin had everything that I was looking for in a college and program," Weber told the Tennessean. "(Defensive line) coach (Greg) Scruggs asked me 'what are the red flags?' 'What's hindering you from committing?' I couldn't really come up with any. This is the place I want to be and I'm at peace with that decision."

The Journal Sentinel spoke with Brentwood Academy defensive line coach Randy O’Bryan to learn more about what Weber could bring to UW. Here is what we found out.

Consistency is Hank Weber’s calling card

Weber recorded 38 tackles, 15 solo, last season for a team that went 9-3 and reached the Division II state semifinals. He made nine tackles for a loss, recorded three sacks, defended two passes and one recovered fumble that he returned for a touchdown.

With his size and athleticism, Weber passes the eye test, but what O'Bryan noted most was the consistency of Weber's performance.

“The thing with Hank is he’s consistent in a lot of things,” O’Bryan said. “He’s consistently a good pass rusher for us. He consistently finds himself around the ball. There was a game where there was a strip sack and he had the scoop and score. ... With him, he’s around the ball a lot. He knows what to do. He’s a pretty good pass rusher. But nothing like ‘Bam’, all of a sudden, here it is. It’s kind of the thing that we’ve seen him do this throughout his time with us.”

More: Hank Weber's junior season highlights

Weber had to climb the ranks in talent-rich program

Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey came out of Brentwood in 2013. The program has two other players in the NFL – Eagles defensive end Derek Barnett and Bills tight end Dawson Knox – and also former Green Bay Packers lineman Scott Wells. According to the school’s athletic department website, the football program had 24 players playing at the Division I level last season.

Despite that depth, Weber, who was also a starter at right tackle last season, saw some action as a sophomore, which is rare at Brentwood, and was part of a three-man rotation for the two defensive end spots at last season.

He brings passion to the game at a position where that energy can help fuel his play.

“I think he has a drive,” O’Bryan said. “I think he wants to be good. He likes football. I think he works on his craft. I think he’s good a good repertoire of pass-rush moves, counters off of that. He pays attention to those types of things.”

More: Badgers football player tracker: Who's new, who's gone and who's still here?

Weber is studying hard this offseason

Brentwood has a new head coach and Weber will be faced with the challenge of learning a new system. He has been eager to learn details of the scheme and took steps to make it happen.

“He wanted to have a sit down, having all the defensive linemen sit down with me and go through it, the call they need to know, stuff like that,” O’Bryan said. “It was a voluntary meeting set up by him.”

Last season, Weber lined up as part of a three-man front last season but will part of more looks this season.

"You can do different things with him depending on how you want to use him," O'Bryan said. "But we’re going to be multiple, so you’ll see him moved around to different spots. You may see him as a four-man end some, you may see him as a than front end some. He’ll do some different things."

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Consistency fuels game of 3-star Wisconsin football recruit Hank Weber