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Luke Fickell's Wisconsin lands commitment from 3-star DT Xavier Ukponu to class of 2025: Reports
Three-star defensive tackle Xavier Ukponu from Guyer High School in Denton, Texas, announced his commitment to Wisconsin's 2025 recruiting class on Monday. He received offers from Oregon, LSU, Florida, USC, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Arkansas and Oklahoma, among others.
The journey to Ukponu’s commitment to Wisconsin began in earnest when the Badgers extended an offer to him on July 28, 2024. Just a week before his pledge, he took an official visit to the program. This visit followed a series of other official visits to notable programs such as California, LSU, Arkansas and Oklahoma State. But, it was the visit to Madison that sealed the deal for Ukponu.
Ukponu is the 23rd commitment to coach Luke Fickell's program and is also the first interior defensive line prospect in the 2025 class. His commitment adds to the depth of the defensive front, joining fellow defensive linemen Torin Pettaway and Wilnerson Telemaque.
Wisconsin has 23 prospects committed to the 2025 class, which ranks No. 22 in the nation. The class is headlined by four-star prospects like linebacker Mason Posa and interior offensive lineman Hardy Watts.
Why did Xavier Ukponu commit to Wisconsin?
Ukponu has received over 30 Division I offers, including 26 from Power Four programs. But he has chosen Wisconsin, as the program has been high on him for quite a time (via Badger247):
"They had always been on me since the start of the year," Ukponu said. "I'm locked in. What makes me so confident is that it's a great fit for me. It'll help me achieve my goals on and off the field."
The prospect finished his junior season with 31 tackles, six tackles for loss and one sack over 11 games. Beyond football, he also competes in track and field, recording a 37-1.25 shot put as a junior. But his commitment decision was influenced by more than just football:
"I was looking for a place that best fit me and my goals – a great education, but also big time football," Ukponu said. "Football isn't forever. We just kept looking for a school that would help me with life after football," he added.
One of the crucial factors in Ukponu's decision was the influence of fellow Wisconsin commit Mason Pose. Pose's commitment helped sway Ukponu towards the Badgers. Coach Fickell also earned high praise from the DT:
"Everything coach Fickell stands for – he believes in developing men and he stands by it. I also love the competition in the Big Ten. They play the best teams every week. He's always there with the players. He works out with the players. He's just always there. I love that in a head coach."
Ukponu plans to enroll at Wisconsin in January. He is ranked as the No. 121 defensive lineman in the 2025 class and the No. 208 overall prospect in Texas, according to On3. 247 Sports places him as the No. 151 defensive lineman in the class and the No. 217 overall prospect in Texas.
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