Luke Fickell and his University of Wisconsin football staff have found another speedy defensive back from Florida in the recruiting hunt.
Rukeem Stroud, a 2025 cornerback who plays for Tampa Bay Tech, announced his commitment to Wisconsin on Sunday. He said he first told Fickell of his decision.
“I felt a connection with all the coaches. I had a vibe with them,” Stroud said. “Everything went well, so everything was in order.”
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Rivals rates Stroud as a four-star recruit, and both 247Sports and On3 view him as a three-star recruit. He has announced notable Power Four offers from Colorado, Duke, Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, Louisville, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Texas A&M, Utah and Wisconsin, among others.
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Stroud took an unofficial visit to Wisconsin in May, followed by an official visit to Madison this weekend. He is the second recruit to announce his commitment to the Badgers this weekend, joining four-star offensive lineman Logan Powell (Phoenix Brophy).
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Wisconsin continues to find recruits who also shine in track and field events in the 2025 class, particularly for their speed. Stroud ran the 100-meter dash in 10.84 seconds and the 200-meter dash in 21.94 seconds this spring, according to Athletic.net. He has also boasted on social media about running a 10.75 100-meter dash.
“In track, I’ve been running for a while, since I was little,” Stroud said. “And it helps me on the football field because it gives you that confidence that no one can surpass you, and that gives you the confidence to press.
“Because when you’re in press (coverage), you don’t really worry about anyone hitting you deep because you know you can run with them.”
Two other commits, safety Grant Dean and athlete Luke Emmerich, also possess sprinter speed. Dean’s Hudl profile lists a 4.49-second 40-yard dash time, and he also ran the 100 meters in 10.83 on April 12, according to Athletic.net. Emmerich ran a spectacular 10.69 in the 100 meters on April 23, according to Athletic.net.
This is the third straight recruiting cycle in which Wisconsin has a Florida cornerback scheduled to join its program under Fickell. The Badgers signed Jonas Duclona (Naples) to their 2023 class, who hosted Stroud this weekend, and Xavier Lucas (Plantation American Heritage) to their 2024 class.
Lucas also excels on the track and, according to Athletic.net, ran the 100-meter dash in 10.49 seconds. He was also part of a 4×100-meter relay team that captured a state title last month with a time of 39.39 seconds.
“Basically, they want me to be a full-time cornerback on the perimeter and they just let me rush anyone man-to-man,” Stroud said.
Wisconsin now has 13 commitments for the class of 2025. Stroud joins the following recruits aiming to become the Badgers: quarterback Landyn Locke; defensive backs Remington Moss, Jai’mier Scott and Dean; offensive linemen Michael Roeske, Cam Clark and Powell; inside linebacker Cooper Catalano; outside linebackers Brenden Anes and Samuel Lateju; wide receiver Cameron Miller; and Emmerich, whom the program considers an “athlete” designation.
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