Wisconsin Badgers Recruiting: Kade Pietrzak commits to Nebraska

The Wisconsin Badgers were one of the finalists for three-star defensive lineman, Kade Pietrzak. Pietrzak took an official visit to Wisconsin on May 31st but also took visits to Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Kansas State in June. Last Sunday, Pietrzak made it official and committed to the University of Nebraska. Defensive coordinator Tony White and defensive line assistant coach Terrance Knighton are credited with recruiting Pietrzak to Lincoln, according to 247Sports.

Rivals also listed Huskers head coach Matt Rhule as another recruiter for Pietrzak.

Despite a visit to Madison, Pietrzak was not favored to land with the Wisconsin Badgers. Throughout the summer, Piertzak was favored to commit to the Oklahoma Sooners. After his visits to Nebraska and Kansas State, the Sooners remained the favorites for the top high school football player in North Dakota until last weekend when the Cornhuskers became the sudden favorite.

Pietrzak is the third defensive linemen recruit for Nebraska, joining four-star recruit Malcolm Simpson of Hitchcock, Texas, and Tyson Terry of Omaha. The Cornhuskers' recruiting class for 2025 is ranked 10th in the new Big Ten Conference and 30th among all other college football programs. Had Pietrzak committed to the Badgers, he would have been the top defensive line recruit in Wisconsin's 2025 class based on 247Sports' ranking system.

Nonetheless, Wisconsin retains a stong recruiting class ranked seventh in the new Big Ten and 22nd across college football. Three-star recruits Torin Pettaway and Wilnerson Telemaque are the Badgers' two defensive line recruits, with Nicholas Clayton listed as an edge rusher.

Wisconsin remains a finalist for running back Byron Louis of Fort Lauderdale, along with Florida State and Miami (FL). FSU is listed as the favorite to land Louis as of Tuesday. Wide receiver Kamren Flowers of West Bloomfield, Michigan, currently has the Badgers as his top choice.