The Wisconsin Badgers’ football staff put together a successful day after hosting multiple top targets on campus for official visits.

During perhaps the most anticipated weekend in Badgers’ football recruiting this off-season, Wisconsin walked away with a collection of commitments from the 2027 class. Among the players that joined the Wisconsin class over the weekend is Desert Edge (Ariz.) four-star defensive lineman Yahzeen Zion.

The 6-foot-5, 270-pound defender previously dropped a final list of schools in May that consisted of Miami, Oklahoma, LSU, Florida, and Wisconsin. LSU displayed strong interest in Zion, and could still be a team to watch, but ultimately did not get the chance to persuade the recruit.

For the Wisconsin Badgers, the commitment of Zion is one that helps the team in two major ways. The talented defender has been considered to be one of the more skilled interior linemen to pass through the state. Zion combines technical skill with natural size and strength to create a powerful force along the line.

While the defender weighs in at 270 pounds, his ability to fill gaps and overpower offensive linemen is far closer to that of a bigger player. Additionally, putting on size should not be an issue for Zion as the defender has only been training like a football player for a short period of time.

Perhaps the most appealing part of the commitment of Zion for the Wisconsin Badgers’ staff is his potential on and off of the field. Zion is considered to be very physically gifted given how he has been able to adapt to and dominate playing football. The recruit originally began his path to college athletics as a basketball player before making the switch last year.

Zion may have only played one year of football but did so at a very high level against notable competition in Arizona. Natural skills and a willingness to learn give the Badgers’ staff options as Zion can pickup a potential move along the line if necessary.

Per Evan Flood of On3, the staff currently does not have a true role for Zion carved out but the potential the recruit possesses is too much to pass up. Zion has served as a versatile defender for Desert Edge with experience playing as both an end and a three-tech.

Given the speed of the defender, playing inside against guards could be a great option in the future especially as his body grows for the collegiate level. The three-tech is often the most disruptive interior defender and once Zion is up to speed that could be a role he would thrive in.

Another potential option for Zion in Madison would consist of the defender serving as an edge rusher in the future. The recruit has a frame that is already very close to the prototypical size of a collegiate edge rusher and given his speed adapting to the new role should not be a difficult task.

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