Luke Fickell pulled off a last-minute addition to his 2025 recruiting class. Even though the spring practices have come and gone, there is still time to get things settled for the fall. Wisconsin added a preferred walk-on yesterday for a player who was already committed elsewhere.
For Mason Kelley, the opportunity to stay home was enough to convince him to come and play for Luke Fickell and the Badgers. He will come to Wisconsin as a preferred walk-on and will most likely start out as a redshirt player in 2025.
Mason Kelley has flipped his commitment from South Dakota State to Wisconsin
Mason Kelley is an unranked player from Mukwonago, WI. He is listed as an "athlete" in all his recruiting profiles, as his position at the next level is uncertain. His Hudl has him listed as both a quarterback and a wide receiver with highlights featuring both positions.
Kelley signed with the Jack Rabbits of South Dakota State on February 2nd of this year. He has participated in their camps and visited the campus, but the opportunity to play closer to home for the Badgers was too much to pass up.
The 2025 recruiting class was thought to be closed with 23 players committed. However, 15 of those 23 were early enrollees who have already participated in spring practices. Kelley will join the other eight recruits who have yet to arrive on campus and will come later in the summer to get ready for the 2025 football season.
24/7 Sports ranks the 2025 class 25th overall, as Luke Fickell continues to work towards improving the Badgers, especially after a five-win season in 2024. It's unknown how Wisconsin plans to use Kelley, but they obviously see a ton of value in adding the local product and getting him on the roster for 2025 and beyond.