Predicting where Wisconsin football’s remaining targets will sign

The early signing period starts on Wednesday and the remaining Wisconsin football targets are expected to make their decisions. Wisconsin is signing a relatively small class in 2022, so these remaining targets could be the end of the cycle for the Badgers depending on what happens.

Things are pretty close with these remaining recruits and there are no guarantees or even slam-dunk feelings about any of them. It’s nerve-wracking, but that’s what makes Wisconsin football recruiting so fun to follow.

So let’s take a look at Wisconsin’s remaining targets and predict where they will end up, assuming they decide to commit and sign their letters of intent as a part of the early signing period.

Carson Hinzman – OL

Carson Hinzman has long been a Wisconsin target. He grew up a big Badger fan, which is always helpful when recruiting players. Early in the recruiting process, I think he was considered a slam-dunk prospect. Most prospects that grow up in Wisconsin become Badgers if they are offered a scholarship. But that may not be the case anymore.

Hinzman has also been recruited hard by Ohio State and the idea for the Buckeyes must be appealing for him. Reports tell us that Hinzman is torn 50-50 between the two schools.

Earlier I still would have been on the Badger train, but now that Billy Schrauth committed to Notre Dame, I think Hinzman is seeing that other prospects are leaving Wisconsin to sign elsewhere. I just get this feeling that if he was going to commit to Wisconsin that he would have already. I think the Badgers lose out on another big Wisconsin-based recruit this cycle.

I hope I’m wrong.

Prediction: Ohio State

Isaac Hamm – EDGE

Isaac Hamm is another Wisconsin-based recruit that I think was considered a done deal. All of those 2022 recruits have a great relationship and many thought they would end up being a package deal.

That’s not the case anymore. With Schrauth going to Notre Dame and Hinzman potentially going to Ohio State, I think these recruits are all kind of fending for themselves now and doing what they think is best for them, rather than teaming up at Wisconsin or another school.

Hamm has a final four of Wisconsin, Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Penn State. If I had to guess I think Wisconsin is still the winner here. He’s had just two official visits. Wisconsin and Louisville.

I could see Ohio State being a player here as well, but for right now, I think the chance to play for the Wisconsin defense and be an outside linebacker would be really appealing to Hamm. The Badgers have been pumping outside linebackers into the NFL like crazy the past few years.

I think Hamm stays home and signs with the Wisconsin football team.

Prediction: Wisconsin

Koen Entringer – S

Koen Entringer’s recruitment just started to take off in his senior year. The Badgers got into his recruitment relatively early but like many other times, some bigger programs get involved before they can seal the deal, and then the recruit has more to think about.

Michigan, Iowa, and Notre Dame have all gotten involved with Entringer’s recruitment along with the Badgers. Entringer does have a top four of Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Boston College.

He is teammates with current Wisconsin-commit Aidan Vaughan, but from what I understand that really doesn’t have much of an impact on his decision.

I’m worried that with Michigan getting involved and being a home-state team, that Entringer will opt to sign with the Wolverines. Things are apparently going well between Entringer and Iowa as well. I’m just not sure Wisconsin has enough momentum for Entringer’s recruitment right now.

Prediction: Michigan

Jaydn Ott – RB

Jaydn Ott was a hot name for the Badgers a month or two ago, especially when the Badgers dismissed Jalen Berger from the team. Wisconsin’s running backs were dropping like flies from the program.

But then Braelon Allen really emerged as one of the top backs in the Big Ten. Pair him with Chez Mellusi again next year and the Badgers seem to be set at running back for the next 1-2 years.

Maybe that’s why things have cooled off between the two sides. I’m sure the staff would still love to add Ott to the Wisconsin football program, but Ott has been taking more visits to west coast teams, closer to home.

He recently visited Oregon State and from what I can tell, things went really well for him. I think the west coast is probably where he wants to be and Wisconsin is far from that. I think he ends up signing with the Beavers.

Prediction: Oregon State