With the introduction to House of Pain's "Jump Around" playing in the background, 2025 IOL recruit Hardy Watts, the top-ranked recruit from Massachusetts, committed to the Wisconsin Badgers at a press conference streamed on Instagram Live.
Hardy Watts commits to the #Badgers Highest-ranked player in the class. pic.twitter.com/X76GglN2w0
— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) July 1, 2024
Watts is the fifth four-star recruit in Wisconsin's class and is the second four-star offensive line recruit. Watts' commitment has significantly boosted the Badger's 2025 recruiting class to ninth overall among Division I programs. Badger Notes' Jake Maier considers Watts' commitment "the cherry on top," as Watts will join next season's talented offensive line recruiting class.
BREAKING: 4⭐️ IOL Hardy Watts has committed to Wisconsin over Michigan and Clemson
— Jake Maier (@JakeJMaier) July 1, 2024
Watts is the cherry on top of the #Badgers 2025 OL class, joining Logan Powell, Michael Roeske, Nolan Davenport, and Cam Clark
More on @Badger_Notes from @christianborman: https://t.co/eTMqEZ9eBR pic.twitter.com/kxdkGOQ6L4
During his interview with Greg Smith of Rivals.com, after he donned the Badger hat on Instagram, Watts credited Wisconsin's tradition of developing quality offensive linemen and the university academics, which gave him the best of both worlds. Watts also stated that the hard work mentality the Wisconsin players and coaches bring on a daily basis led to his commitment.
""Just the guys in the room, the mentality they bring, how they train, and how they go about their day. You know, just kind of a brotherhood mentality." "Hardy Watts
The No. 1 2025 recruit in Massachusetts Hardy Watts discusses the process, his upcoming senior season & why he ultimately chose @BadgeFootball @newftbj @AdamKurkjian @Rivals @DXSF_Athletics @DXSF_FB @CoachCDay @HardyWatts2 @UWBadgers pic.twitter.com/ibB3nBrgLF
— Kevin J. Stone (@kstone06) July 1, 2024
Initially favored to go to Clemson, Watts received some Crystal Ball forecast predictions to Wisconsin late last month. By landing Watts from perennial programs such as Clemson, Alabama, and Michigan, Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin staff showed that the Badgers are starting to recruit with some of the best.
Watts' choice to come to Wisconsin is tremendous news for the Badgers program and a great start to the new month. This influx of talent will bring a new level of excitement and optimism to Wisconsin's future. Tomorrow, three-star defensive lineman Drayden Pavey of Taft High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, will announce his commitment, with Wisconsin, Indiana, and Purdue as the finalists. Let's see if Wisconsin can generate more recruiting momentum this month.