3-star DT commits to Wisconsin over Texas, LSU and others

Wisconsin picked up a big-time commitment on Monday.

Sep 2, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers mascot Bucky Badger performs prior to the game against the Buffalo Bulls at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports / Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Three-star 2025 defensive lineman Xavier Ukponu (Denton, TX) verbally committed to Wisconsin on Monday over other notable offers from Texas, LSU, and Tennessee, among others.

#AGTG Committed‼️🦡 🦡@CoachFick @PatLambert13 @CoachWhit_UW @CoachMikeTress @mike_gallegos16 @DentonGuyer_FB @kylekeese @ReedHeim @TEP5252 @SteezoDsgn @__izayahh pic.twitter.com/zycj1Io4Qt

— Xavier “❌”Ukponu (@XUkponu) August 5, 2024

247Sports composite rankings have Ukponu as the 1,111th-best player in the class of 2025, but his offer list says otherwise. Several top programs across the country were after him, and he took eight different official visits before settling on Wisconsin. He's scheduled to officially visit Madison on September 14, the same weekend that they host Alabama.

Listed at 6-foot-2 and 288 pounds, Ukponu attends Guyer High School, which has one of the better football programs in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. He recorded 31 tackles, 6 TFLs, and 1 sack in 11 games as a junior, and his arrow is pointing upwards due to his size and athleticism. He also competes as a shot put thrower on the track and field team.

Ukponu is now Wisconsin's 23rd verbal commitment in the class of 2025. 247Sports still ranks the group as a top-25 class nationally.

💥𝙍𝙀𝘾𝙊𝙍𝘿 𝘽𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙆𝙀𝙍💥@XUkponu ‘25 breaks the school bench record with a 3️⃣8️⃣0️⃣ lbs PR

300 club increases:
▪️@KhyrenHaywood 335
▪️@TravisNolte 335
▪️@DenzelDeveraux 315#Southside | #DifferentBreed pic.twitter.com/L9oRSyCy2F

— Denton Guyer Football (@DentonGuyer_FB) July 23, 2024

Wisconsin's full 2025 class (23 commitments)

- OL Hardy Watts (Brookline, MA)

- LB, Mason Posa (Albuquerque, NM)
- WR Eugene Hilton Jr. (Zionsville, IN)
- OT, Logan Powell (Phoenix, AZ)
- WR, Cameron Miller (Atco, NJ)
- OT, Nolan Davenport (Massillon, OH)
- OT, Michael Roeske (Wautoma, WI)
- TE, Nizyi Davis (Indianpolis, IN)
- DL Torin Pettaway (Middleton, WI)
- DL Xavier Ukponu (Denton, TX)
- DL Wilnerson Telemaque (Opa Locka, FL)
- DL Nicolas Clayton (Gainesville, FL)
- LB, Cooper Catalano (Germantown, WI)
- CB, Jaimier Scott (Cincinnati, OH)
- LB, Brenden Anes (Franklin, TN)
- S, Remington Moss (Fredericksburg, VA)
- CB, Jahmere Washington (Chicago, IL)
- QB, Landyn Locke (Rockwall, TX)
- OT, Cam Clark (Dexter, MI)
- S, Grant Dean (Neenah, WI)
- LB, Samuel Lateju (Lawrenceville, NJ)
- ATH, Luke Emmerich (Monticello, MN)
- K, Erick Schmidt (Milwaukee, WI)