Gordy Watts, a four-star offensive sort out within the 2025 class, had a troublesome resolution to make. After holding almost 30 scholarship presents all through his recruitment, Watts posted a high three of Wisconsin, Clemson and Michigan on June 15. Finally, the Badgers received when Watts introduced his dedication to Wisconsin on Monday.
Watts, who now attends Dexter Southfield Excessive College in Brooklyn, Mass., mentioned all of it got here right down to growth, his relationship together with his coaches and the place he felt he match greatest.
“That is a part of the event for my place, simply how the group revolves across the offensive linemen,” Watts instructed The Rivals of his resolution to pledge to the Badgers. “The fellows within the room, particularly the fellows within the O-line room, and the teaching and the relationships I’ve constructed with the teaching employees and the supporting employees.”
Watts is ranked by Rivals250 because the No. 178 general prospect within the 2025 class. He’s additionally the highest-rated participant within the state of Massachusetts and the No. 6 offensive lineman within the cycle.
He took an official go to to Wisconsin on the June 7 weekend. His favourite a part of the journey was simply spending time within the Badgers locker room and attending to know the gamers and coaches higher. Watts additionally took official visits to Clemson from June 2-4 and Michigan from June 21-23.
Many packages had been ready for him, and he didn’t take this resolution calmly. He additionally has numerous respect for Clemson and Michigan, in addition to all of the packages he was recruited by, however Watts felt he belonged in Madison with the Badgers.
“I haven’t got something in opposition to Michigan or Clemson in any respect, they’re each nice colleges with nice staffs,” Watts defined. “It actually got here right down to my intestine feeling and the place I felt I used to be one of the best match, and that was Wisconsin. However I haven’t got any animosity, dangerous grudges or something about different packages. In actual fact, it was essentially the most tough resolution in my life and essentially the most tough conversations to inform them “no”. However I’ve solely good issues to say about Michigan and Clemson, aside from that I am match at Wisconsin, for my part.
Watts constructed a robust bond with the top coach Luke Fickell (“Coach Feek”), offensive line coach A. Ya. Blazek (“Coach Blaze”), Director of Soccer Power and Conditioning Brady Collins and lots of different staff. He is additionally made connections with lots of the present gamers on Wisconsin’s roster.
“I am in all probability closest with Coach Blaz, however I am additionally very, very shut with Coach Feek,” Watts famous. “All of the assist employees listed below are simply pleasant and type and wish to assist and assist. I simply constructed an amazing relationship due to it.”
Watts will primarily play guard for the Badgers, however with quite a lot of abilities at 6-foot-6 and 305 kilos as a highschool senior, he indicated he might play on the school degree if wanted.
On the sector, Watts performs with violence when the pads are on and is technically sound in each cross safety and run blocking. He punishes opponents and infrequently forces defenders out of play to open up gaps for ball carriers. Watts additionally prides himself on being teammate and dedication.
“Dangerous, technical — I believe I’ve actually good method — and well-rounded,” Watts mentioned when requested to explain his sport. “I am not only a run or cross and block specialist, I can do each. I believe the coaches like that. I am only a group participant, a person within the locker room, a person who will put the group forward of himself.”
Casey Day, head coach at Dexter Southfield College, has watched Watts develop through the years. Watts added numerous weight and muscle to his body and adjusted his method.
“He got here in as a 6-foot-6, 170-pound freshman, and he is popping out as one of many high 6-foot-6, 300-pound forwards within the nation,” Day mentioned of Watts. . “Positive, progress spurts are good and all, however Hardy is constantly placing within the laborious work within the gymnasium and vitamin, making the proper selections and doing issues the proper approach.”
Day, offensive line coach Dan DiNicola (who performed on the offensive line in Massachusetts in his collegiate profession) and the Dexter Southfield program have constructed a robust status for growing and inserting offensive linemen at Division I colleges, with eight of these gamers at the moment enjoying on the school degree or slated to take action within the subsequent 12 months. Day believes Watts would be the subsequent participant from his program to make an influence within the school ranks.
“There are numerous children across the nation who can in all probability say they’re as huge (or larger), however what I believe units Hardy aside is that he has elite athleticism,” Day continued of Watts . “I believe his passing protection might be top-of-the-line within the nation. I believe the true factor that stands out for me, and I do know what stood out for the faculty coaches that recruited him, you throw him movie and you’ll see him play on the sting each play and take delight in blocking the run and cross, and tries to complete with the defender on the bottom to select him out of the pack.”
Day additionally praised Watts’ skill as a frontrunner and his presence within the locker room, particularly after Dexter Southfield misplaced a number of seniors from his 2023 group.
“We had an actual tight squad final season,” Day defined. “We had eight children go on to play school soccer, 5 Division I children. And I believe when these guys got here out of the locker room, so to talk, when the season ended final 12 months, Hardy was positively one of many guys that stepped in. , to fill out this information with another captains and different seniors (for the 2024 season).
“However management is unquestionably in Hardy’s wheelhouse. He’s a charismatic baby and a really social baby. He is positively not solely going to guide by instance, he will lead together with his actions, he is a man who’s going to guide with each his actions and communicate his thoughts when he feels he must.”
Day beforehand developed a relationship with Blazek throughout his time because the offensive line coach at Vanderbilt, and believes Watts shall be “in improbable palms” beneath Blazek’s tutelage.
As talked about, Dexter Southfield is among the most spectacular prep packages in the case of offensive line growth and getting guys to the faculty degree. Day credit DiNicol for his success within the trenches and believes the competitors Watts sees on daily basis in apply will assist him transition extra easily to Huge Ten soccer at Wisconsin.
“I believe Hardy would be the eighth Division One O-lineman we have put up within the final 4 years, they usually’re all completely different in their very own approach,” Day mentioned of Dexter Southfield. “One factor we discuss on daily basis in our program with these guys in apply is that it is an iron sharpens iron state of affairs. I hope we have helped put together these guys for faculty and put together Hardy for faculty as a result of any day now, he will (final 12 months, he was preventing 4 or 5 different guys who’ve already graduated early and are already in colleges of the First Division, or with boys who will go in that route). the longer term.
“So I believe it can positively be to Hardy’s benefit if he graduates early and comes down there (to Wisconsin) in January. And it is clearly going to go to an entire completely different larger degree, however I believe that is one thing In our program that we’re nationally identified for now that is a little bit bit distinctive is the preparation of hitters and getting guys to the very best degree, I believe we’ve an amazing offensive line coach in Dan DiNicola … He is the key sauce to this entire factor.
Watts, Day, DiNicola and Dexter Southfield’s squad are in search of a sixth consecutive New England bowl sport look and are aiming for a bowl sport championship in 2024.
“We’re very excited for Hardy and we actually anticipate him to have an amazing senior 12 months,” Day mentioned.
As of July 1, Wisconsin has 21 commitments within the 2025 class. The Badgers are ranked within the high 10 nationally in recruiting.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH WISCONSIN FANS AT BADGERBLITZ.COM
