Wisconsin Football: Top OL Joe Brunner commits to Wisconsin

The Wisconsin football team has landed the top target in their 2022 recruiting class. 4-star offensive tackle, Joe Brunner, is the top-rated prospect in the state of Wisconsin, 55th overall in the country, and the 7th overall offensive tackle, per 247Sports’ recruiting rankings.

Brunner was also invited to participate in the 2022 All-American Bowl.

Paul Chryst and the rest of the Wisconsin football coaches are on fire recruiting right now. Brunner is the 9th committed player for the Badgers’ 2022 class, and the 8th in the past two weeks. Outside of Penn St. commit, Jerry Cross, whose recruitment was kind of odd, Brunner is the first player of the in-state recruits to announce his commitment.

Brunner had 19 offers from some elite programs but narrowed it down to Wisconsin, Ohio St., and Notre Dame. He took visits to just those three schools as well.

Things have been trending heavily for the Badgers for some time, and especially after he took his official visit with the Badgers in the first weekend of June. Also on the visit were Carson Hinzman and Billy Schruath, two other in-state offensive linemen the Badgers are pursuing.

Every report out of Madison that weekend was positive for the Badgers. Brunner, Hinzman, Schrauth, and defensive linemen Isaac Hamm all have a relationship together. It really feels like there’s a good shot they all end up at Wisconsin.

247Sports’ National Recruiting Analyst, Allen Trieu, gives a scouting report on what the Wisconsin football program is getting from Brunner.

"Tough, rugged offensive lineman who finishes his blocks. Gets off the ball well at his size and also shows some twitch. Runs well and gets downfield to make blocks easily. Plays with good balance and keeps his feet when drive blocking. We do not currently have verified height and length on him, but looks like a right tackle at the moment. Run blocking is more his forte right now. Will need additional reps and technical polishing in pass protection. Also has years of basketball experience. The way he plays and his lineman mentality should make him a safe bet to be a successful college lineman who can be a multi-year starter."

Now that Brunner is committed, we could see a domino effect take place where some of these other in-state guys could commit too.