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Big Ten Roundup (July 10): 4-Star Running Backs Commit to Wisconsin and Illinois

Wisconsin and coach Luke Fickell picked up a commitment from 2024 four-star running back Darrion Dupree, while Illinois and Bret Bielema landed 2024 four-star running back Ca'Lil Valentine. In the basketball sphere, Ohio State's E.J. Liddell agreed to a three-year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Daniel Olinger

Big Ten Roundup (July 10): 4-Star Running Backs Commit to Wisconsin and Illinois
Big Ten Roundup (July 10): 4-Star Running Backs Commit to Wisconsin and Illinois /
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Wisconsin and Illinois football — led by head coaches Luke Fickell and Bret Bielema — both picked up major commitments this past weekend in four-star running backs Darrion Dupree and Ca'Lil Valentine. 

Additionally, former Ohio State Buckeye E.J. Liddell agreed to a three-year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans for the upcoming NBA season. 

Here's everything you need to know in today's Big Ten Roundup:

Darrion Dupree Commits to Wisconsin

Luke Fickell and the Badgers have cemented themselves as a force on the recruiting trail the past few months. 

That continued on Friday, when four-star running back Darrion Dupree announced his commitment to Wisconsin, making him the Badgers' sixth four-star commit in the 2024 recruiting class. 

Wisconsin currently has the 23rd overall-ranked recruiting class in 2024 and the fifth-best class in the Big Ten, trailing only Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, and Purdue, according to 247 Sports. 

The 5-foot-10, 190-pound running back from Chicago had offers from 30 different teams, nine of which came from schools in the Big Ten. Ultimately, Fickell and Wisconsin beat out Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Purdue, and Rutgers for Dupree's commitment. 

Wisconsin currently has a stacked backfield with star running back Braelon Allen and a quality backup in Chez Mellusi. However, this will likely be the last year for both of the current tailbacks in Madison, with Allen more than likely to be selected within the first two rounds of next year's NFL Draft, and Mellusi exhausting his collegiate ability after 2023. 

Come 2024, the Badgers will need some new faces to step up at running back, and Dupree should get every shot to do so. 

Ca'Lil Valentine Commits to Illinois

Though Illinois missed out on landing Dupree, the Fighting Illini hit it big with a commitment from Ca'Lil Valentine. 

The four-star running back from Chandler, Ariz., announced his commitment to Bret Bielema's team on a live show with Claudia Collins of Sports360 on Saturday.

Valentine is the first four-star prospect in Illinois' 2024 recruiting class, making him the school's top-ranked recruit so far.

Illinois just barely edged out two-time reigning Pac 12 champion Utah for Valentine's commitment, as it was the only other school that the running back visited during his recruitment.

The Fighting Illini's 2024 recruiting class now ranks 37th overall in the country and ninth amongst Big Ten teams, according to 247 Sports.

E.J. Liddell Gets Three-Year NBA Deal

It may have been minor news in the NBA stratosphere, but it's no small matter for former Ohio State Buckeye E.J. Liddell.

A year ago, in Las Vegas NBA Summer League action, the second-round pick Liddell suffered a torn ACL in his right knee, causing him to miss the entirety of the 2022-23 NBA season.

Despite not playing basketball for a full calendar year and suffering what has been a career-altering injury for some, the Pelicans' front office showed faith in Liddell this past week. The Athletic's Shams Charania reported that the Pelicans signed Liddell to a three-year, $6.2 million deal.

The team option on the third year of Liddell's contract means that he only has two years guaranteed in New Orleans, but the deal is still good news for a player whose career was put in jeopardy last year during Summer League action.

Liddell is a versatile defender, capable of guarding wings and bigs alike with his dense frame and elite movement skills. He could play a vital role for the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2023-24 NBA season. 

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Daniel Olinger
DANIEL OLINGER

Daniel Olinger is a Sports Illustrated/FanNation reporter for HoosiersNow.com. He graduated from Northwestern University with degrees in both journalism and economics. 

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