This is not the kind of momentum Wisconsin Badgers fans were hoping for leading up to the big-time showdown against Iowa this weekend. Unfortunately on Thursday night, Luke Fickell and Co. suffered a pretty sizable loss out on the recruiting trail.
That's because 6-2, 220-pound linebacker Brenden Anes officially flipped his verbal from UW to Tennessee. Ames is from Tennessee and as soon as the Volunteers upped their efforts, it felt like a flip could be on the way.
However, Ames had been committed to Wisconsin since January and took his official visit to Madison in June. It seemed like he was going to stay locked in with the Badgers and put the pen to paper during the Early Signing Period, but that won't be the case.
#GBO🍊@coachjoshheupel @WilliamInge1 @Vol_Football @wcsPHScr @SWiltfong_ @adamgorney @ChadSimmons_ pic.twitter.com/rPVzXOHZYn
— Brenden Anes (@BrendenAnes22) October 31, 2024
LB Brenden Ames flipped his commitment from Tennessee to Wisconsin
Ames is a high 3-star recruit according to 247Sports. Throughout his recruitment, he picked up double-digit offers, including Wisconsin, Tennessee, Duke, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Vanderbilt and several others.
It was a great get for Fickell and his staff at the time, which is why there are a lot of disappointed fans out there. However, there are still three other linebacker pledges on board for the 2025 class in Mason Pesa, Cooper Catalano and Samuel Lateju.
With more than a month until the Early Signing Period starts too, there's plenty of time for Fickell to find a new 'backer. As for the Badgers as a whole, they're getting ready for the huge game against Iowa on Saturday. Will The Heartland Trophy be raised by the Badgers?
That's what everyone is hoping for. The loss to Penn State in Madison stung a little bit, but a win over Iowa is just what this team needs to raise morale a little bit. It feels like the hits keep on coming for Wisconsin, but let's hope plenty of smiles will be showcased following the final whistle in Iowa City.