Latest news with #MessiahTilson
Time of India
6 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
How Kentucky outmaneuvered Wisconsin and Rutgers for four-star safety Messiah Tilson
Image Source: 247 Sports Monday was a big blow to the Wisconsin Badgers football recruiting, as four-star safety Messiah Tilson committed to the University of Kentucky Wildcats instead of taking up the offer in the Big Ten powerhouse. The ramifications of Tilson choosing Iowa and not Wisconsin are not merely related to one loss in the recruiting department, but the wider issue of Big Ten programs having to compete with SEC schools over the top defensive talent. Messiah Tilson's Kentucky choice suprises recruiting experts The decision made by Messiah Tilson to join the University of Kentucky Wildcats surprised many recruiting analysts, especially since most people had expected him to join Rutgers University Scarlet Knights. Rutgers University had been heavily favored on the 247Sports crystal ball after Tilson had visited New Jersey on June 6 as an official visit. But his previous visit to the University of Kentucky on June 3 has left a very strong impression that eventually influenced his decision. As a native of Illinois, the commitment of the Illinois native to Kentucky is crucial to the 2026 recruiting class of Wisconsin, which still lacks a blue-chip prospect despite a total of 13 commitments. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo This recruiting misfire may have long-term consequences for the development of the defensive backfield and the program in general under head coach Luke Fickell in Wisconsin. Guilford's Messiah Tilson commits to play college football at Kentucky The four-star safety out of the state of Illinois is the 402nd-ranked overall prospect in the Class of 2026, which puts him at No. 38 in the nation at the safety position and No. 11 among the recruits in the state of Illinois. His pledge immediately gives Kentucky a 2026 recruiting class with six total pledges and ranks 67th in the country. The recruitment of Tilson will be a big win for the Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops, in a competitive action against well-established Big Ten programs. Wisconsin Badgers face uphill battle for remaining blue-chip targets The Wisconsin Badgers now find themselves in a precarious position as they continue pursuing their remaining blue-chip targets in the Class of 2026. With Messiah Tilson off the board, Wisconsin's recruiting focus intensifies on wide receiver Jayden Petit, running back Amari Latimer, offensive tackle Kamari Blair, and athlete Jackson Ford. These four prospects represent Wisconsin's best opportunities to secure elite talent and potentially crack the top-30 national recruiting rankings. Currently sitting at 35th nationally with 13 commitments, the Wisconsin Badgers need at least one blue-chip commitment to maintain competitive recruiting momentum in the Big Ten Conference. The loss of Tilson particularly stings given Wisconsin's strong defensive tradition and their need for secondary depth. Head coach Luke Fickell and his staff must now pivot quickly to identify alternative safety targets while maintaining pressure on their remaining priority recruits. The Badgers' ability to close on these final targets will largely determine whether this recruiting cycle strengthens or weakens their long-term competitiveness in the increasingly challenging Big Ten landscape. Also Read: Michigan State football hauls in NFL legacy recruits TJ Umenyiora and Quinn Buckey for 2026 class The Messiah Tilson promise soap opera reminds one that college football recruiting today is no longer limited by the old geographical parameters and that SEC teams are becoming more open to going into Big Ten country to find the top players. The coaching staff in Wisconsin will have to readjust its recruiting practices to be able to compete in this new environment and lay the groundwork for consistent success in the new and expanded Big Ten Conference.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wisconsin football blue-chip 2026 recruiting target predicted to choose a Big Ten rival
This past Monday, one of Wisconsin's top class of 2026 targets received a 247Sports crystal ball prediction favoring a Big Ten rival. That is Rockford, Illinois, native Messiah Tilson, who is predicted to commit to Greg Schiano and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. The prediction came from the 247Sports staff collectively and was given with a 'medium' confidence level. Advertisement The recruiting service lists Tilson as a four-star recruit. He's specifically ranked as the No. 434 player in the class of 2026, the No. 39 safety and the No. 11 recruit from his home state. Tilson visited the Badgers back on April 23. His other scheduled or completed visits are to Illinois on April 11, Iowa on April 18, Kentucky on June 3, Rutgers recently on June 6, Minnesota on June 13 and Kansas on June 20. Tilson choosing the Scarlet Knights would be a major loss for the Badgers, who felt fairly confident for most of his recruitment. The prediction is noteworthy, as the 247Sports staff has yet to miss a prediction (20-for-20) during the 2026 cycle. The Badgers haven't had as much success to start the 2026 cycle as they experienced in 2024 and 2025. The program did have a strong first official visit weekend, already with five converted commitments. While potentially losing out on a defensive back prospect like Tilson is not ideal, several of Wisconsin's top targets remain on the board. Advertisement Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football recruiting target Messiah Tilson Rutgers prediction
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wisconsin football top class of 2026 target unveils finalists, upcoming commitment date
Wisconsin football made the top four schools for four-star class of 2026 safety Messiah Tilson on Wednesday. The Badgers were included along with Kentucky, Minnesota and Rutgers. In addition to his final schools, Tilson revealed that he will announce his commitment decision on Monday, June 16, at 5:30 ET, 4:30 CT. Advertisement Tilson is one of Wisconsin's high-priority targets in the class of 2026. He's currently ranked as the No. 434 overall player in the class, the No. 39 safety and the No. 11 recruit from Illinois. The Rockford, Illinois, native was on campus in Madison, Wisconsin, for an official visit in late April, preceding trips to Kentucky (June 3), Rutgers (June 6) and Minnesota (June 13). While the Badgers seemed to be in a strong position in Tilson's recruitment entering June, 247Sports recently unveiled a crystal ball prediction favoring Rutgers. The prediction, which was given with a 'medium' confidence level, directly followed his official visit to Piscataway, New Jersey. Wisconsin's class of 2026 currently ranks No. 38 nationally with 11 players committed. The program has seen several top targets commit elsewhere as of late, headlined by four-star edge rusher McHale Blade choosing Michigan. As of June 12, it appears Tilson is poised to join that list. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin recruiting target Messiah Tilson finalists, commitment date
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wisconsin football blue-chip safety target commits to an SEC program
Wisconsin football class of 2026 target, safety Messiah Tilson, committed to Kentucky on Monday. Tilson chose the Wildcats over the Badgers, Rutgers Scarlet Knights and Minnesota Golden Gophers. He recently trimmed a long list of interests to those final contenders, following official visits to Wisconsin on April 23, Kentucky on June 3 and Rutgers on June 6. Advertisement 247Sports lists Tilson as a four-star prospect. He's specifically ranked as the No. 402 player in the class of 2026, No. 38 safety and No. 11 player from the state of Illinois. His choice of Kentucky was a bit of a surprise after the 247Sports staff issued several crystal ball predictions favoring Rutgers. Wisconsin, however, appeared out of the picture. The blue-chip safety joins a Kentucky class of 2026 that now ranks No. 67 nationally with only six players committed. Meanwhile, Wisconsin sits at No. 35 in the national rankings with 13 commitments. With Tilson off to the Wildcats, the Badgers still have yet to add a blue-chip prospect to their class. Wisconsin's focus turns to top blue-chip targets WR Jayden Petit, RB Amari Latimer, OT Kamari Blair and athlete Jackson Ford. Commitments from that group are critical for the program to finish in the nation's top 30. Advertisement Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin recruiting target Messiah Tilson commits to Kentucky
USA Today
12-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin football top class of 2026 target unveils finalists, upcoming commitment date
Wisconsin football top class of 2026 target unveils finalists, upcoming commitment date Wisconsin football made the top four schools for four-star class of 2026 safety Messiah Tilson on Wednesday. The Badgers were included along with Kentucky, Minnesota and Rutgers. In addition to his final schools, Tilson revealed that he will announce his commitment decision on Monday, June 16, at 5:30 ET, 4:30 CT. Tilson is one of Wisconsin's high-priority targets in the class of 2026. He's currently ranked as the No. 434 overall player in the class, the No. 39 safety and the No. 11 recruit from Illinois. The Rockford, Illinois, native was on campus in Madison, Wisconsin, for an official visit in late April, preceding trips to Kentucky (June 3), Rutgers (June 6) and Minnesota (June 13). While the Badgers seemed to be in a strong position in Tilson's recruitment entering June, 247Sports recently unveiled a crystal ball prediction favoring Rutgers. The prediction, which was given with a 'medium' confidence level, directly followed his official visit to Piscataway, New Jersey. Wisconsin's class of 2026 currently ranks No. 38 nationally with 11 players committed. The program has seen several top targets commit elsewhere as of late, headlined by four-star edge rusher McHale Blade choosing Michigan. As of June 12, it appears Tilson is poised to join that list. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
