Wisconsin lands three-star DL recruit on radar since January

Xavier Ukponu, three-star defensive lineman from Denton, Texas, may be a bit of an underrated prospect, but that hasn't stopped the Wisconsin Badgers from going after him hard on the recruiting trail.

Ukponu, who checks in at 6-foot-2 and 288 pounds, has been on Wisconsin's radar since January. Defensive line coach E.J. Whitlow has been his primary recruiter, and the time put in getting to know the three-star really paid off for Wisconsin in the end.

"They had always been on me since the start of the year. Coach Whitlow kept building that relationship," Ukponu told 247Sports .

Though Ukponu is a bit stout as a defensive lineman, he did relay that the Badgers can see him playing anywhere along the defensive line for them. They also think he can make an impact earlier in his career.

"He likes my size, my build. He thinks we can do a lot of great things together," the three-star said of Whitlow. "He told me if I want to play early, it's in my hands."

Ukponu has also been impressed by Wisconsin's head coach, Luke Fickell.

"Everything coach Fickell stands for — he believes in developing men and he stands by it," Ukponu told 247. "I also love the competition in the Big Ten. They play the best teams every week. He's always there with the players. He works out with the players. He's just always there. I love that in a head coach.

"They're building something special up there."

If Ukponu wants to be a big part of what the Badgers are building, it's worth noting he will have to play a bit above his station as a three-star recruit. According to the 247Sports Composite, he's the No. 119 defensive lineman in the 2025 class.