DL Xavier Ukponu commits to Wisconsin: 'The staff is great and they have a plan for me'

Denton (Texas) Guyer defensive lineman Xavier Upkonu was on the cusp of committing earlier this summer. He decided to wait, and take more time and that gave Wisconsin to jump in the race. The Badgers capitalized and Luke Fickell‘s program has landed his commitment.

“Wisconsin was recruiting me hard early in the spring, they stayed with me, and after I visited on July 26, I knew it was where I wanted to be,” Ukponu told On3.

Ukponu committed to the Badgers over Arkansas, Baylor and SMU. The visit to Madison made a big impact on him and his decision.

“That visit pushed Wisconsin to the top of my list. Coach Fickell is building something special and I want to be a part of it. On the visit, I learned about the school, I connected with the staff and I saw their plan for me.

“They are not a transactional school that is about getting a lot of guys out of the Transfer Portal, but they are about getting high school guys in and developing them. That meant a lot to me. They have a plan for me, they want me and I want to be coached by coach Fickell and coach EJ Whitlow.”

The 6-foot-1.5, 285-pound three-star will be back in Madison the weekend of Sept. 14 when Wisconsin hosts Alabama for his official visit. He can’t wait to get back, see a game in Camp Randall Stadium.

“It is a great environment up there,” Ukponu said. “It is a beautiful campus and the best college town in America. My visit up there was great and I can’t wait to get back.

“Coach Fickell is building something special and he wants me to be a part of it. When I met with him, he told me that he needs guys like me to win against Big Ten teams like Ohio State and Michigan.

“The staff is great and they have a plan for me. I get to be a part of a great recruiting class and try to help the program win a national championship.”