Wisconsin football 2024 recruiting class: High school players who have signed with the Badgers

The next class of Wisconsin Badgers football players made it official Wednesday morning.

Twenty-two players signed national letters of intent with the program. The group represents the first full-fledged recruiting class for coach Luke Fickell, who was hired 25 days before the early signing period last year.

So far UW’s 2024 class of high school scholarship recruits consists of five offensive linemen, three running backs, three defensive backs, two tight ends, two outside linebackers, three defensive linemen, one inside linebacker, one receiver, one quarterback and one defensive athlete.

The early signing period ends Friday. Teams will be able to resume signing players Feb. 1.

Here's a look at UW's 2024 class, listed chronologically beginning with the most recent to commit:

Rob Booker II, tight end

Committed: Dec. 20.

Hometown: Waunakee, Wisconsin.

High school: Waunakee.

Height: 6-6.

Weight: 217.

Ratings: ESPN, Rivals, 247sports and On3 rate him as a three-star prospect.

Senior season: Booker initially committed to Wisconsin last winter but switched to UCLA in June and changed back to UW on Wednesday. He helped Waunakee (13-1) finish as the Division 2 state runner-up. He caught 20 passes for 348 yards, an 18.4-yard average, and scored six touchdowns.

Ernest Willor Jr., defenisve line

Committed: Dec. 20.

Hometown: Baltimore.

High School: Concordia Prep.

Height: 6-3.

Weight: 255.

Ratings: Rivals, On3, ESPN and 247sports consider Willor a four-star prospect.

Senior season: Willor registered 47 tackles that included seven sacks and intercepted two passes. To get him to sign, the Badgers had to win a recruiting battle with Ohio State and Miami

Xavier Lucas, defensive back

Committed: Aug. 11.

Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

High school: American Heritage.

Height: 6-2.

Weight: 184.

Ratings: Rivals considers him a four-star prospect. On3, ESPN and 247sports give him three stars.

Senior season: Lucas picked off four passes and totaled 26 tackles, 16 solo, for powerhouse Heritage. Despite his commitment to UW, he made a recent visit to Miami, which is making a late run for his services.

Dilin Jones, running back

Committed: July 14.

Hometown: Laurel, Maryland.

High school: Our Lady of Good Counsel.

Height: 6-0.

Weight: 190.

Ratings: Rivals, 247sports, On3 and ESPN consider him a four-star prospect.

Senior season: Arguably the top prospect in the Badgers’ class, Jones ran for 887 yards on 108 carries, an 8.2-yard average, caught four passes for 35 yards and scored 12 touchdowns for one of the top teams in the nation. Good Counsel finished 10-1 and was ranked No. 20 by MaxPreps and No. 14 by High School Football America. He was a first-team all-Met selection by the Washington Post. "Someone who brings a different speed," said Max Stienecker, UW's director of player personnel. "Elite pass catcher out of the backfield, great change of direction, just has some things you can’t teach."

Dillan Johnson, defensive line

Committed: July 12.

Hometown: Plainfield, Illinois.

High school: Joliet Catholic Academy.

Height: 6-2.

Weight: 284.

Ratings: He is considered a four-star prospect by 247sports and received three stars from ESPN, On3 and Rivals.

Senior season: Johnson helped Joliet Catholic win a state title as a sophomore and led the team to a runner-up finish as a senior. He finished with 82 tackles, seven for a loss, from his spot at tackle. He also registered 10 sacks and forced a fumble. The Illinois High School Football Coaches Association made him all-state selection as did the Chicago Sun-Times. "I think the thing he gives an opportunity when he walks in the door here is, he is the culture of what we’re continuing to push here," Fickell said. "When he walks in I think he has a chance to thrive. He’s a very physical guy … A guy who has an incredible amount of intangibles to come in and contribute and play right away."

Anelu Lafaele, outside linebacker

Committed: July 11.

Hometown: Kalihi, Hawaii.

High school: Farrington.

Height: 6-4.

Weight: 230.

Ratings: He was ranked a four-star prospect by 247sports and received three stars by Rivals, ESPN and On3.

Senior season: He helped the Governors go 7-4 this season. He finished with 27 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss and five sacks. Wisconsin has had good luck with players from that state recently. Nick Herbig was an All-American last season. Senior Kamo'i Latu started at safety most of the season and freshman receiver Trech Kekahuna is a player on the rise. "They’re just tough kids who fit in at Wisconsin," Stienecker said. "Anelu is a twitched-up kid who brings something we weren’t great at this past year and that’s pass rush. We’re excited about him contining that."

Darrion Dupree, running back

Committed: July 7.

Hometown: Chicago.

High school: Mount Carmel.

Height: 5-10.

Weight: 195.

Ratings: Rivals lists him as a four-star recruit. He received three stars from ESPN, 247sports and On3.

Senior season: Dupree was an impact player in the running and passing games for Mount Carmel, leading the team in both categories to help Mount Carmel reach the 3A championship game. He rushed for 1,056 yards and 16 touchdowns on 139 carries, an average of 7.9 yards per carry. He also caught 13 passes for 254 yards, an average of 19.6 yards. "Darrion is a guy who I think is unique not only in his ability to play in the backfield but outside the backfield, to catch the ball," Fickell said. "Incredible ball skills."

Emerson Mandel, offensive line

Committed: July 4.

Hometown:  Mounds View, Minnesota.

High school: Irondale.

Height: 6-5.

Weight: 315.

Ratings: Rivals and On3 consider Mandel a four-star recruit. ESPN and 247sports rated him as a three-star prospect.

Senior season:  In addition to being a consensus all-state selection, he was one of 10 finalists and the only lineman in the running for the  Mr. Football award given by the Minnesota Football Coaches Association to the state’s top player. "Obviously you see the size and physique and he looks like a Wisconsin offensive linemen, but his mentality off the field is totally different than his mentalilty on the field," said director of scouting Casey Rabach, who played in the NFL for nine seasons. "He’s just kind of a big gentle giant when you’re on the phone with him. But when he gets on the field it’s something different. He brings some physicality and toughness and ruthlessness that I’m really excited about."

Jay Harper, defensive back

Committed: June 19.

Hometown: Valley, Alabama.

High school: Valley.

Height: 6-0

Weight: 170.

Ratings: Rivals, 247sports, On3 and ESPN rate him as a three-star prospect.

Senior season: He posted 40 solo tackles and 17 assists for the Rams. He also played receiver and caught 15 passes for 148 yards, a 9.9-yard average. Pulling double-duty is nothing new for Harper, though. He is also a standout basketball player who helped Valley win a state title last season.

Omillio Agard, defensive back

Committed: July 1.

Hometown: Philadelphia.

High school: St. Joseph’s Prep.

Height: 5-10.

Weight: 175.

Ratings: Rivals and ESPN list him as a four-star recruit. On 3 and 247sports considered him a three-star prospect.

Senior season: A ball-hawking performer, Agard made 32 tackles, intercepted three passes and broke up 20 to help his team win its second straight state championship. He has been selected to play in the All-American Bowl Jan. 6 in San Antonio. Also give him credit for one of the all-time best college reveals when he announced UW as his choice last summer. "We’re really fired up (about him) ... I think he’s the most savvy (of the defensive backs signed)," director of recruiting Pat Lambert said. "I think he’ll be able to come in here and really help us just because he’s played a lot and played at a high level for a long time."

Gideon Ituka, running back

Committed: June 17.

Hometown: Gaithersburg, Maryland.

High school: Gaithersburg.

Height: 5-10.

Weight: 220.

Ratings: Rivals, 247sports, On3 and ESPN gave hims three stars.

Senior season: He ran 221 times for 2,250 yards, a 10.2-yard average, during the regular season and posted at least two 300-yard games. He was named the Montgomery County Public Schools most valuable player. His size gives him a chance to add a different element to the Badgers' run game. "He’s more of the physical guy who is going to be 230 pounds and is a really, downhill, physical run guy that gives us some balance to that room," Fickell said.

Colin Cubberly, offensive line

Committed: June 12.

Hometown: Lagrange, New York.

High school: Arlington.

Height: 6-6.

Weight: 310.

Ratings: He received a three-star rating from ESPN, ON3, 247sports and Rivals.

Senior season: He played right tackle for Arlington and was the Class AA most outstanding offensive lineman. He was selected as a U.S. Army All-American.

Raphael Dunn, athlete

Committed: June 11.

Hometown: Lawrenceville, New Jersey.

High school: The Lawrenceville School.

Height: 6-4.

Weight: 205.

Ratings: He is a consensus three-star recruit.

Senior season: Dunn was named his team's most valuable player after making 86 tackles, 59 solo, with one sack, one interception and two passes broken up from his spot at safety. He also caught 12 passes and had five touchdowns. At UW the plan is to take some time before giving him a position on defense. "Right now Rafael Dunn is an athlete, so he’s going to come in here and grow," Lambert said. "We’re not going to pigeon hole him on just being a safety, dollar (or) anything like that. We’re going to get him in the weight room and on the field let him develop."

Ryan Cory, offensive lineman

Committed: June 6.

Hometown: Gibsonia, Pennsylvania.

High school: Pine-Richland.

Height: 6-4.

Weight: 285.

Ratings: ESPN considered him a four-star recruit. On3, Rivals and 247sports list him as a three-star prospect.

Senior season:  He played guard for the Rams and was named the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 5A player of the year.

Hank Weber, defensive line

Committed: June 5.

Hometown: Franklin, Tennessee

High school: Brentwood Academy.

Height: 6-4.

Weight: 250.

Ratings: He is a consensus three-star recruit.

Senior season: He finished with 55 tackles, including 12 for a loss, and was a second-team All-midstate Large Class selection by the Nashville Tennessean.

Kevin Heywood, offensive line

Committed: June 6.

Hometown: Limerick, Pennsylvania.

High school: Pope John Paul II.

Height: 6-7.

Weight: 300.

Ratings: Rivals, 247sports, On3 and ESPN rate him a four-star prospect.

Senior season: Heywood led the Golden Panthers to a conference and district championship. He will play in the All-American Bowl on Jan. 6 in San Antonio.

Kyan Berry-Johnson, receiver

Committed: April 17.

Hometown: Bolingbrook, Illinois.

High school: Boilngbrook.

Height: 5-10.

Weight: 179.

Ratings: Rivals gives him four stars. He received three stars from On3, ESPN and 247sports.

Senior season: The first-team all-state selection by the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association averaged 22.4 yards per catch and averaged a touchdown every 4½ receptions. He finished with 64 catches, 1,432 receiving yards and 2,242 all-purpose yards. He also played defensive back and brokeup 16 passes. The Badgers got on him early before his stock rose during the 7-on-7 and high school seasons. It sounds like he could have a future as a slot receiver. "I think we did a good job of projecting and identifying what we were looking for in the offseason leading into the senior year and it paid off," Lambert said. "Obviously (he has) Will Pauling’s skill set, being able to find space in the open field and (be) extremely athletic and dynamic. ... You obviously want to do a great job in Wisconsin and Chicago and that paid off for us."

Thomas Heiberger, outside linebacker

Committed: April 9.

Hometown: Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

High school: Jefferson.

Height: 6-4.

Weight: 210.

Ratings: 247sports and On3 rate Heiberger with four stars. ESPN and Rivals lists him as a three-star recruit.

Senior season: He finished with 39 tackles, five sacks, six tackles for a loss and one interception for Jefferson. Heiberger helped his team win a state title as a junior. This year the squad went 6-4 and reached the quarterfinals of the playoffs. His combination of length and athleticism and experience as a four-sport athlete excite Fickell. "He was playing baseball in the spring and running track for the first hour and a half and after he ran his track he’d switch over to his baseball uniform," Fickell said. "There’s a lot of different positions he can play. I think we have him listed as an outside linebacker. Can he come in and play some inside linebaker? Again another guy who is scratching the surface."

Derek Jensen, offensive line

Committed: April 2.

Hometown: Hartland.

High school: Arrowhead.

Height: 6-7.

Weight: 310.

Ratings: Rivals lists him as a four-star recruit. ESPN, On3 and 247sports list him as a three-star prospect.

Senior season: He claimed first-team all-state distinction from the Associated Press and Wisconsin Football Coaches Association.

Landon Gauthier, linebacker

Committed: April 11.

Hometown: Green Bay.

High school: Bay Port.

Height: 6-3.

Weight: 230.

Ratings: Gauthier is considered a consensus three-star recruit.

Senior season: He missed the first two games of the season due to a broken rib and then recorded 66 tackles, 42, solo, during the final nine games. He also posted six tackles for a loss, five sacks and one interception and was a first-team all-state pick by the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association and a second-team selection by the Associated Press. "The great thing about Landon is that he'll be here in a couple of weeks, so that is the unique thing for him," Fickell said. "He gets to come in here Jan. 14 or 15, get a jump start on school, a jump start on winter lifting with the guys and then in spring ball in a position where we need some depth."

Grant Stec, tight end

Committed: Jan. 29.

Hometown: Sleepy Hallow, Illinois.

High school: Henry Jacobs.

Height: 6-6.

Weight: 252.

Ratings: Stec received a four-star rating by Rivals, 247sports and ESPN. On3 considered him a three-star prospect.

Senior season: His receiving statistics – he caught 23 balls for 210 yards, a 9.1-yard average – belied his potential in that regard. Jacobs had a run-heavy team that produced 2,700 yards on the ground and didn’t have another threat to draw defense’s attention away from Stec. His career numbers 1,127 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns do him more justice as a pass catcher.

Mabrey Mettauer, quarterback

Committed: Dec. 24, 2022.

Hometown: The Woodlands, Texas.

High school: The Woodlands.

Height: 6-6.

Weight: 225.

Ratings: ESPN and Rivals consider him a four-star recruit. On3 and 247sports give him three stars.

Senior season: He completed 154 of 229 passes (67%) for 2,305 yards and 29 touchdowns to lead the Highlanders to a 9-4 record. He also ranked second on his team with 392 rushing yards. His older brother, McKade, is a senior at Oklahoma where he is a starting offensive lineman. "We actually don’t get that much time to go down and watch him in person, but I’ve learned what kind of person he is, what kind of family he’s got," Fickell said. "Just coming up here and spending some weekends and things like that more than anything we’ve got a guy who is real well-rounded, that at that position in particular is humble and hard working. I don’t think you can ask for anything more."

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin football coach Luke Fickell's 2024 recruiting class