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Hear what Wisconsin football commits Mason Posa and Luke Emmerich had to say about the Badgers' 2025 class.
Little did Luke Emmerich and Mason Posa know that attending a University of Wisconsin football game last season would spark a friendship that continues as they prepare to become Badgers.
Emmerich and Posa traveled from different regions of the country to Wisconsin for its Oct. 7 homecoming game against Rutgers, with Emmerich coming from Monticello, Minnesota, and Posa journeying from Albuquerque, New Mexico.
"I was kind of excited to meet him, and kind of scared too, kind of nervous," Posa said. "But once we recognized each other, we just hit it off right away.”
Flash forward eight months. Emmerich and Posa are part of the Badgers’ 2025 class that sits within the top 20 in the nation by three outlets. Emmerich described Wisconsin as “a dream place", and said he was going to find a way to get Posa to Madison as well.
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“I love to be teammates with Luke,” Posa said. “... I feel like that was a heavy part of me committing to Wisconsin. I want to be really connected with the players.”
Communication between Emmerich, Posa picked up this spring
Posa and Emmerich kept in touch through Snapchat after that October visit, but they didn’t talk a lot. Their communication picked up considerably after Emmerich made his relatively early decision to commit to the Badgers.
He took an unofficial visit to Wisconsin in April and announced an offer from the Badgers less than two weeks later. It was part of a scholarship offer spree after running a 10.69-second 100-meter-dash.
Emmerich announced May 3 his commitment to Wisconsin, and that’s when he began to text Posa more.
“I'm like, ‘Bro, c’mon. This is where you got to be at. We can make a crazy team here with all the dudes we got so far,’” Emmerich said.
Said Posa: "I always heard from Luke every day about it, but I loved it. It just really showed who got my back, and who's really like one of my boys now.
DREAM TEAM!! 🦡🦡@MasonPosa #OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/lyOTYkUqEW
— Luke Emmerich (@luke_emmerich29) May 15, 2024
Emmerich tookto social media to make his case, too. He shared a graphicof both recruits in Wisconsin gear with the words “JOIN US” under them, and Emmerich himself added “DREAM TEAM!!” to that tweet.
“I was kind of mid-recruiting, and I didn't think it'd be smart to repost it because all the other schools I was looking at would probably think like, 'Oh, you’re committing to Wisconsin'," Posa said. "But I mean, I reposted anyways because that's my boy. I just found that hilarious.”
Posa let Emmerich in on decision before Wisconsin coaches
Posa, a consensus four-star recruit and No. 154 player in the 2025 class by 247Sports, traveled to Madison twice within a month’s span. He took an unofficial visit in early May and watched the Badgers’ final spring practice May 2, then returned for his official visit the weekend of May 31-June 2.
Emmerich was in Minnesota, but he recalled laying in bed when Posa called around 11:30 p.m. June 1 and asked him, “Guess what?”
“He's like, 'I'm gonna be a Badger,'" Emmerich said. “And my first reaction was like nah, he's joking. He's got two other OVs (official visits) to go on. This is his first OV, he's not coming.
“And then he sends me a video the next day of him telling the coaches, and I'm like, 'Man, this is real. This dude's a Badger now.'"
That’s not to say there wasn’t worry from Emmerich more than a week later leading into Posa’s public announcement. Posa had released his list of top three schools before his official visit to Wisconsin, and the Badgers needed to fend off Oregon and Texas A&M.
247Sports livestreamedPosa’s commitment, where three hats representing his top choices sat in front of him.
“And for the moment we’ve all been waiting for,” Posa said on the livestream. “For the next three to four years, I’ll be committed to … ”
He first picked up the Wisconsin cap to his right but scoffed, shook his head and threw it back on the table. He next picked up the Texas A&M cap but again put it back on the table.
Last up was the Oregon cap, and Posa quickly swiped it and started to put it on his head while simultaneously saying “The University of” …
But he put down the Oregon hat and said, “Y’all already knew,” exchanging it for the Badgers hat and bringing out a Wisconsin flag.
Emmerich was ready for the announcement. While searching for the livestream link on the way to Madison for his official visit, he stumbled across a photo of Posa— a three-time state champion wrestler— from his freshman year celebrating in wrestling gear.
After Posa’s commitment to Wisconsin, Emmerich posted it on Twitter with the caption “How I’m feeling …”
How i’m feeling… @MasonPosa pic.twitter.com/8OWZeeNzdg
— Luke Emmerich (@luke_emmerich29) June 14, 2024
Posa said his future teammate's post had his family “dying.”
“That just really showed me again the bond that me and Luke had, just like how he's a friend now, you know what I mean?” Posa said. “We're about to go win some championships up in Wisconsin for sure now.”
Get to know the members of Wisconsin football's 2025 recruiting class
Landyn Locke — Rockwall (Texas)
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 poundson Hudl. He wasnamed District 10-6A co-offensive MVPfor 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)
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
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
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 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.
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.
Sam Lateju — The Lawrenceville School (New Jersey)
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 fromBoston College, Cincinnati, Duke, Maryland, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, West Virginia, Wake Forest and Wisconsin.
Grant Dean — Neenah
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. Heannounced 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 with59 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 hasannounced Power Four offers fromCincinnati, Duke, Georgia Tech, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan State, Minnesota, Purdue and Wisconsin, among others.
Luke Emmerich — Monticello (Minnesota)
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 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)
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 histop 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.
Wisconsinsaid he can play on the interior of the line at guard or potentially even center, according to Powell.
Nolan Davenport — Massillon Washington (Ohio)
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
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
Wisconsin finally found its 2025 tight end when Nizyi Davis announced his commitment June 10.
Davis islisted 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
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 at6 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
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.
Posais also a two-sportsstandout, as he has won three state championships in wrestling.
Eugene Hilton Jr. — Zionsville (Indiana)
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.
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Jake Kocorowski | Wisconsin State Journal
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