Badgers land commitment from 4-star cornerback (2024)

Luke Fickell and his University of Wisconsin football staff have found yet another fast defensive back from Florida on the recruiting trail.

Rukeem Stroud, a 2025 cornerback who plays for Tampa Bay Tech, announced Sunday his commitment to Wisconsin. He said he first told Fickell about his decision.

"I felt a connection will all of the coaches. I had a vibe with them," Stroud said. "Everything went well, so everything fell in line."

Rivals evaluates Stroud as a four-star recruit, and both 247Sports and On3 view him as a high three-star recruit. He’s 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.

Stroud took an unofficial visit to Wisconsin in May, followed by an official visit back to Madison this weekend. He’s the second recruit to announce his commitment to the Badgers this weekend, joining four-star offensive lineman Logan Powell (Phoenix Brophy).

Wisconsin continues to find recruits who also shine in track and field events in the 2025 class, particularly with 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 alsoboasted on social mediaabout running a 10.75 100-meter dash.

"Track, I've been running for a little while, since I was little," Stroud said. "And it helps me on the football field becauseit gives you that confidence that no one can outrun you, and that gives you the confidence to press.

"Because when you're in press man (coverage), you didn't really worry about anybody beating 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 blazing 10.69 in the 100 on April 23, according to athletic.net.

This is the third consecutive recruiting cycle Wisconsin has a Florida cornerback slated to join its program under Fickell. The Badgers signed Jonas Duclona (Naples) for their 2023 class, who acted as a host for Stroud this weekend, and Xavier Lucas (Plantation American Heritage) as part of their 2024 class.

Lucas is also a track standout, and according to athletic.net, he’s run the 100-meter dash in 10.49 seconds. He was also a part of a 4x100-meter relay team that claimed a state title last month with a time of 39.39 seconds.

"Basically, they want me to be a full-time corner on the perimeter and just let me go press anybody man to man," Stroud said.