'Rankings aren't everything': Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell offers his approach on recruiting success

MADISON – Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell and his assistants have secured 20 oral commitments for the 2024 class and hope to add another this week.

Florida defensive back Xavier Lucas is set to announce his college choice Friday. He reportedly holds offers from more than two dozen schools, including UW, Florida State and Iowa.

Fickell can’t comment publicly on unsigned recruits, but he did share his view on the importance of recruiting ratings, player development and competing with the traditional powers in the Big Ten.

“Rankings aren’t everything,” Fickell said. “I do care. I don’t want to say I don’t. They are there for a reason. They don’t see the intangible things. But they truly do see size and speed.

“We still want to win the battles for the rankings in some ways, but it can’t override what you think is best for what you’re doing. So, there is a balance there.”

Speaking of rankings, the Badgers on Monday opened at No. 21 in the USA Today preseason poll. They were the fourth of four Big Ten teams in the poll, with Michigan at No. 2, Ohio State at No. 4 and Penn State at No. 7.

How well must UW recruit to beat Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State on the field?

“You’ve got to win some of those battles for guys that have the potential to play at the next level,” he said. “But I don’t think you aren’t going to have a chance if you aren’t getting the four- and five-star guys.”

During his six seasons at Cincinnati, the Bearcats compiled a 35-11 league mark and a 57-18 overall mark.

More: Wisconsin opens at No. 21 in the USA Today coaches football poll

Consistent development key to success for Luke Fickell's teams

How important was it for the staff to identify off-the-radar talent and develop those players?

“I would say that the best thing we did was the development – from the weight room on,” Fickell said. “We were fortunate to be really consistent. We lost coaches on a consistent basis, but for six years our offense never changed. For six years our defense never changed. It evolved, but it didn’t change. …

“Consistency is the hallmark to greatness. If you’re changing defenses because you are changing defensive coordinators, there is a re-boot. If you have all the talent in the world, the transition is probably easier.

“And the same thing offensively. It was an evolution and a growth that allowed our guys to play a hell of a lot better.

“It allowed us to do a better job of maximizing the guys that you have.”

Fickell lauded the work of Brady Collins, who was at Cincinnati for seven years and is in his first year as UW’s director of football strength and conditioning.

“Our strength coach never changed, which to me was the most important thing, ahead of offense, ahead of defense,” Fickell said. “Because it creates a mentality. It creates a level of toughness in the development of a football player.”

With the early signing period set to begin in December, UW’s class includes two players from the state of Wisconsin. Expect the number to be higher in future cycles.

“I think by nature the kids in this state aren’t going to be ranked as high,” Fickell said. “It just is what it is. A lot of that might have to do with the underdevelopment – meaning they are playing two or three sports or they don’t go to as many camps."

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell discusses measuring recruiting success