Two University of Wisconsin football recruits will be teammates this time next year, but their Indiana high school teams duked it out in an offensive showcase earlier this season.
Zionsville wide receiver Eugene Hilton Jr. and Indianapolis Lawrence Central tight end Nizyi Davis each flourished offensively in a game ultimately won by Zionsville 46-40 on Aug. 31. The game itself needed to be played over two days due to lightning.
BadgerExtra will focus this week’s breakdown on Hilton, a four-star recruit by Rivals, 247Sports composite and On3’s Industry rankings. Hilton, the son of former NFL receiver T.Y. Hilton, caught nine passes for 152 yards receiving and three touchdowns in the home victory, according to MaxPreps.
People are also reading…
Zionsville coach Scott Turnquist sent BadgerExtra film of the game. There are plenty of things to like about Hilton’s abilities within the Air Raid passing scheme deployed by Wisconsin offensive coordinator Phil Longo.
Eugene Hilton Jr. can pick up yards after catch (YAC)
Picking up yards after the catch is a crucial ability for Wisconsin’s wide receivers in short, intermediate and deep routes, especially this season. The first snap shows Hilton catching a pass a couple of yards behind the line of scrimmage, but he jukes out a would-be tackler and gets by two other Lawrence Central defenders to move the chains.
The second clip shows Hilton catching a 5-yard pass, but he’s able to once again elude defenders on his way to about a 25-yard gain.
Eugene Hilton Jr. has great hands
Hilton caught both of those aforementioned receptions more with his body than hands, but he showed the ability to snag passes in the air.
He leapt and reeled one fourth down throw, then sprinted toward the left side of the end zone for a touchdown. Hilton also showed the ability to gain separation and extend for a catch that produced more points for Zionsville, as seen in the second clip.
Zionsville used Hilton in the screen game a couple of times against Lawrence Central, and he demonstrated concentration on a tipped pass. He still caught the ball then proceeded up field for a solid gain out of a potentially hazardous play.
Eugene Hilton Jr. shows ability to track and reel in tough catches
These may be the two plays that really stand out the most from Hilton’s performance against Lawrence Central. The first snap shown is a second-and-15, and the quarterback begins to scramble to his right. Hilton sees that and puts his hand up in the air as he has open field ahead of him. The throw comes off underthrown and to Hilton’s left, but he adjusts and makes the catch to move the chains.
The last play is a fourth-and-17 inside Lawrence Central territory. Hilton’s lined up to the left with two other receiving targets. Pressure comes off the right edge and the quarterback gets off the pass, but Hilton needs to adjust inside as he was running near the numbers on the far left side of the field. He tracks the ball and gets inside two defenders and reels in the touchdown.
Eugene Hilton Jr. is a willing blocker
Receivers in any type of recent Wisconsin offense are relied upon to block downfield. And form will always improve once at the college level, and Hilton will be under the mentorship of Wisconsin assistant Kenny Guiton.
Hilton wasn’t asked to be a primary blocker on many plays in the game, but he showed effort when asked to. The first rep shows him blocking on the outside for a fellow receiver. He initially stymied a defender, but if he keeps on him a second longer, it may be an explosive gain. The end zone replay shows Hilton pointing to himself after the play.
He also crashed down from the right side on a running play as well.
Get to know the members of Wisconsin football’s 2025 recruiting class
Landyn Locke — Rockwall (Texas)
Landyn Locke, a rising junior who plays for Rockwall High School in Texas, announced his verbal commitment to the University of Wisconsin on June 22.
Landyn Locke became Wisconsin’s first 2025 commit when he announced his intentions to become a Badger in June 2023.
Locke, the younger brother of current Wisconsin quarterback Braedyn Locke, is a consensus three-star recruit who’s listed at 6-4 and 185 pounds on Hudl. He was named District 10-6A co-offensive MVP for the 2023 season. He completed 60.6% of his throws for 1,702 yards and 19 touchdowns to only four interceptions as a junior, according to MaxPreps.
Remington Moss — Fredericksburg St. Michael (Virginia)
The Wisconsin football program picked up its second commitment for its 2025 class in three-star defensive back Remington Moss, a cousin of former Badgers great Brent Moss.
Remington Moss, who’s father is a cousin of former Wisconsin running back great Brent Moss, announced his commitment to the Badgers in August 2023.
Moss is rated as a four-star recruit by On3 and 247Sports composite rankings. On3 evaluates him as the No. 192 player in the 2025 class as of June 12.
He’s been back to Madison multiple times since committing to Wisconsin, and his position versatility could help the defensive backfield.
Michael Roeske — Wautoma
Michael Roeske, a 2025 offensive line commit, watches Wisconsin football’s 13th spring practice April 27 on the field just north of Camp Randall Stadium.
Jake Kocorowski | Wisconsin State Journal
Wisconsin won a key recruiting battle for Michael Roeske, an in-state offensive lineman who said Notre Dame was also one of his top schools before deciding to stay home. The Wautoma product also announced Power Four offers from the following schools: Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Syracuse and defending national champion Michigan.
As of June 12, Roeske was rated as a four-star recruit by On3’s Industry rankings, which is the outlet’s algorithm that computes evaluations from the four major recruiting outlets.
Cooper Catalano — Germantown
Three-star Germantown linebacker recruit Cooper Catalano verbally committed to Wisconsin football on Nov. 28, 2023.
Jake Kocorowski | Wisconsin State Journal
Another key in-state target, Cooper Catalano announced his commitment to Wisconsin in November 2023. Catalano’s a consensus three-star recruit who also tweeted offers from Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas, Minnesota, Michigan State and Missouri.
Catalano earned all-state large school honorable mention accolades from the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association as a junior. He finished the 2023 season with 138 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions, according to wissports.net.
Expect Catalano to play for Mike Tressel’s inside linebacker room when he arrives as an expected early enrollee starting in January 2025.
Jai’mier Scott — Cincinnati Mt. Healthy (Ohio)
Jai’mier Scott, who committed to the Badgers on Jan. 20, said the staff envisions him playing as a nickel back, what he referred to as a “slot corner.”
Jai’mier Scott was another early recruiting win for coach Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin staff, as he announced his commitment in January.
Scott is rated as a four-star recruit by On3, Rivals and 247Sports composite rankings as of June 2024. Rivals evaluates him the highest as the No. 136 player in the 2025 class.
He announced offers from the following Power Four schools: Boston College, Cincinnati, Duke (under current Texas A&M coach Mike Elko), Georgia Tech, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Scott’s another defensive back who could provide versatility to Wisconsin’s safety room. He recorded 56 tackles, seven tackles for loss, five passes defended and two interceptions this past season as a junior, according to the Southwest Ohio Conference.
𝑩𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒍𝒆𝒕’𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌… #𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒅 pic.twitter.com/Q9giXsqpYR
— Jaimier “shiest” Scott .2 (@JaimierScott) January 20, 2024
Brenden Anes — Franklin Page (Tennessee)
Brenden Anes was the first outside linebacker commit for the Badgers when he announced his intentions to play for Wisconsin in January.
A consensus high three-star recruit, Anes announced offers from Charlotte, Duke, Indiana, Liberty, Memphis, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Western Kentucky and Wisconsin.
He finished his junior season with 99 tackles, 31 total tackles for loss, eight sacks, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and three defensive touchdowns, according to Franklin Page football coach Charles Rathbone.
💯COMMITTED🔴⚪️ #OnWisconsin🦡 pic.twitter.com/frZEQHVEXA
— Brenden Anes (@BrendenAnes22) January 23, 2024
Sam Lateju — The Lawrenceville School (New Jersey)
Projected outside linebacker Samuel Lateju, a consensus three-star recruit, committed to Wisconsin in March 2024.
Sam Lateju is another long, athletic recruit (listed at 6 foot 5 and 230 pounds on Hudl) in the style the Wisconsin staff is looking for at the outside linebacker position.
Lateju committed to Wisconsin in March. He took an unofficial visit during one of the program’s junior day events in the winter.
He is a consensus three-star recruit who had previously tweeted Power Four offers from Boston College, Cincinnati, Duke, Maryland, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, West Virginia, Wake Forest and Wisconsin.
Grant Dean — Neenah
Wisconsin picked up a verbal commitment in April 2024 from Neenah’s Grant Dean, center, a three-star safety who finished his junior season with 59 tackles.
Neenah’s Grant Dean visited twice in the spring before receiving an offer from the home-state Badgers, but he jumped on the offer once it was presented by the staff.
Dean, a three-star defensive back, announced his commitment to Wisconsin in April. He announced offers from Army, Northern Illinois, Wyoming and FCS powerhouses North Dakota State and South Dakota State before committing to Wisconsin.
Dean was a two-way standout for Neenah, rushing for 1,774 yards on 7.3 yards per carry with 25 touchdowns in 2023, according to wissports.net. The site also reported that he finished his junior season with 59 tackles, one tackle for loss and two interceptions.
Dean could be another versatile member of Wisconsin’s safety group.
Cam Clark — Dexter (Michigan)
The first offensive line commit for new assistant AJ Blazek came from Cam Clark, who announced his decision to become a Badger in April.
Clark’s a consensus three-star lineman who has announced Power Four offers from Cincinnati, Duke, Georgia Tech, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan State, Minnesota, Purdue and Wisconsin, among others.
Luke Emmerich — Monticello (Minnesota)
Luke Emmerich, a 2025 athlete, is yet another recruit from Minnesota who has given a verbal commitment to the Wisconsin football program.
Wisconsin’s staff once again found a Minnesota standout to join its program, as Luke Emmerich announced his commitment to the Badgers on May 3.
“First time I saw it I knew it was the place I wanted to be, whether I was a student or an athlete, and then God blessed me to be able to become an athlete,” Emmerich told BadgerExtra. “So it was a no-brainer for me. The second I got the offer, me, my family, they knew it was the one I wanted and it was the one I’ve been hoping for.”
Emmerich is another Wisconsin commit who’s shined on the track, as according to athletic.net, he ran a 10.69 in the 100-meter dash on April 23.
Emmerich also announced other Power Four offers from Boston College, California, Utah, Kansas State, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Southern Cal and Utah. Wisconsin views him as an “athlete” in this class, which means his projected position within the program is yet to be solidified.
Cameron Miller — Atco Winslow Township (New Jersey)
Wisconsin football commit Cameron Miller watched the Badgers’ first spring practice on March 22.
Jake Kocorowski | Wisconsin State Journal
Wisconsin locked in a key target when Cameron Miller announced his commitment on May 15.
Miller, a four-star recruit by On3’s Industry rankings as of June 12, is projected to play the crucial slot receiver position in Phil Longo’s Air Raid passing scheme.
He caught 59 receptions for 1,342 yards receiving and 15 touchdowns as a junior last season, according to Winslow Township coach Bill Belton, with Miller breaking the school’s single-season records for receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
Logan Powell — Phoenix Brophy (Arizona)
Logan Powell was Wisconsin’s first 2025 commitment in June, with the four-star offensive lineman announcing his decision June 1.
Wisconsin started its June official visit season on the right foot with the commitment of offensive lineman Logan Powell on June 1.
Powell’s a four-star recruit according to 247Sports, Rivals and On3’s Industry rankings. Wisconsin was among his top five schools April 23, which included Alabama, Arizona State, Oklahoma and Tennessee. He also announced offers from Florida State, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Southern Cal and Washington, among others.
Wisconsin said he can play on the interior of the line at guard or potentially even center, according to Powell.
Nolan Davenport — Massillon Washington (Ohio)
Nolan Davenport, rated a four-star recruit by On3, took an unofficial visit to Wisconsin on April 27. He returned for an official visit from May 31-June 2.
Jake Kocorowski | Wisconsin State Journal
Another highly rated offensive lineman committed to Wisconsin in June with the addition of Nolan Davenport.
Davenport, who’s rated as a four-star recruit by On3 as of June, announced the following Power Four offers: Arkansas, Indiana, Michigan State, Mississippi, Missouri, NC State, Northwestern, Penn State, Purdue, Stanford and Vanderbilt. The offer from the Commodores came in August 2023, when Wisconsin assistant AJ Blazek was offensive line coach for the SEC program.
Davenport took an official visit to Wisconsin the weekend of May 31-June 2.
Jahmare Washington — Chicago Morgan Park
Recent University of Wisconsin football commit Jahmare Washington, center, took an official visit to Madison over the weekend after making an unofficial visit in April.
Jake Kocorowski | Wisconsin State Journal
Wisconsin continues to find recruits to add to its program from the Chicagoland area with the commitment of Jahmare Washington.
Washington, a three-star recruit by 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals, took an official visit to Madison the weekend of June 7-9. He then announced June 9 his intentions to become a Badger.
Washington, listed at 6 foot 2 and 170 pounds on Hudl, is expected to play cornerback in the Badgers’ defense.
Washington received Power Four interest, with announced offers from Indiana, Iowa State, Kansas State and Michigan State.
Nizyi Davis — Indianapolis Lawrence Central
Three-star tight end Nizyi Davis took in Wisconsin football’s April 13 spring practice.
Jake Kocorowski | Wisconsin State Journal
Wisconsin finally found its 2025 tight end when Nizyi Davis announced his commitment June 10.
Davis is listed at 6 foot 6 and 215 pounds on Hudl, and Rivals evaluated him as the No. 33 tight end in the nation for the 2025 class as of June. He took an unofficial visit to Wisconsin on April 13 and returned for an official visit the weekend of May 31-June 2.
Torin Pettaway — Middleton
Middleton’s Torin Pettaway pursues Verona’s Elijah Lagomasino during the WIAA Division 1 playoffs on Oct. 27, 2023. Pettaway announced his recommitment to Wisconsin football’s 2025 class June 11 after flipping to rival Minnesota in March.
Wisconsin didn’t give up in pursuing Torin Pettaway after his flip to Minnesota in late March, and it paid off for the Badgers less than three months later.
Pettaway, a three-star recruit from nearby Middleton, flipped back his commitment to Wisconsin on June 11.
Pettaway, who is listed at 6 foot 5 on wissports.net, told BadgerExtra in June that he was around 285 pounds. All four major recruiting outlets evaluate him as a three-star recruit after his first season of playing high school football. He announced Power Four offers from Nebraska, Minnesota, Southern Cal, Wisconsin, Rutgers, Illinois and Washington.
Mason Posa — Albuquerque La Cueva
Four-star linebacker recruit Mason Posa, center, a key target for the Badgers, watched Wisconsin’s final spring practice on May 2.
Jake Kocorowski | Wisconsin State Journal
Mason Posa became Wisconsin’s highest-rated commit of its 2025 class when he announced June 13 his commitment to the Badgers.
Posa is a consensus four-star recruit, with 247Sports evaluating him the highest as the No. 154 player and No. 18 linebacker in the 2025 class as of June 13. He finished his junior season with 133 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, nine sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions, according to Hudl.
Posa was one of the priority recruits for coach Luke Fickell and his staff, and he took two multi-day trips in May. That included an official visit to campus the weekend of May 31-June 2.
He’s expected to play at one of Wisconsin’s inside linebacker positions, joining Germantown’s Cooper Catalano.
Posa is also a two-sports standout, as he has won three state championships in wrestling.
BADGER NATION I’M HOME‼️‼️🦡🦡 pic.twitter.com/BlOJ9Qwol0
— Mason Posa (@MasonPosa) June 14, 2024
Eugene Hilton Jr. — Zionsville (Indiana)
Wisconsin secured another verbal commitment in June when 2025 wide receiver Eugene Hilton Jr. announced his intentions to become a Badger.
Wisconsin’s summer success on the recruiting trail through the first two weeks of June continued with a verbal commitment from Eugene Hilton Jr.
Hilton, a four-star wide receiver by Rivals and 247Sports composite rankings, announced his decision June 14. Rivals also evaluated him as the No. 55 wide receiver and No. 6 player in the state of Indiana as of the date of commitment.
Hilton caught 46 passes for 836 yards and 10 receiving touchdowns last season as a junior, according to Zionsville. He is the son of former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton.
The Badgers secured eight commitments for its 2025 class between June 1 and June 14. All had taken official visits during those first two weekends, and Hilton made the trek to Madison for the weekend of June 7-9.
Two commits have come from the state of Indiana, which the Wisconsin staff targeted in this cycle, during this span in Hilton and Indianapolis Lawrence Central tight end Nizyi Davis.
Leave a Reply