Recruit rundown: 2025 Wisconsin DL commit Drayden Pavey
The Badgers added their 24th commitment to the 2025 class on Tuesday. Here's what stands out.
Wisconsin football added another piece to the 2025 recruiting class, sealing a commitment from three-star defensive tackle Drayden Pavey.
Here's a look back at Pavey's recruitment and what he brings to the table for the Badgers.
On the Recruiting Trail
According to the composite rankings, Pavey is the No. 724 player in the nation, the No. 80 DL, and the No. 28 player in Ohio.
The Taft High School standout picked up 22 offers throughout his recruitment, with notable programs such as Purdue, Indiana, Michigan State, Cincinnati, NC State, and West Virginia throwing their hat in the ring. Wisconsin jumped into the mix later in his recruitment -- extending an offer in late April -- but still landed in Pavey's top three alongside Indiana and Purdue.
Pavey initially committed to Purdue, where he kept his commitment for several months. He announced he would de-commit from the Boilermakers on Saturday, and EJ Whitlow and Wisconsin were able to seal his commitment in short order.
Pavey joins a strong 2025 defensive line alongside Torin Pettaway, Xavier Ukponu, and Wilnerson Telemaque. Defensive line recruiting has been a struggle in recent cycles for UW, but they've flipped the script in 2025.
Scouting Report
Looking at the film, I think you could draw some similarities here between Pavey and true freshman Dillan Johnson. Pavey stands at 6-foot-3, 305 pounds, and has the ability to be an absolute game wrecker on the defensive front.
Pavey can find his way into the backfield in a variety of ways. Pick your poison; he's either going around you or through you. For his size, Pavey has a solid burst and showcases some slipperiness by getting between blocks, but he also has the strength to knock opposing linemen back and blow up plays early.
Pavey has a good understanding of how to use his leverage. Of course, his size helps with that, but he's able to create that leverage in a very fluid way. He also showcases good technique and violent hands with his rip-and-swim moves when he's getting past opposing linemen.
The 6-foot-3, 305-pound wrecking ball is a natural fit for a Wisconsin interior defensive lineman, but he could also shift around the line a bit. With his burst, he could realistically play on the end. While I see most of his reps taking place on the interior, his versatility is just a bonus.
You can watch Pavey’s HUDL film here.
Looking at the state of the defensive line room in 2025, any and all of Wisconsin's incoming freshmen could have an opportunity to see the field early. I see Pavey as one of those who will be fighting for playing time.
With Pavey's commitment, Wisconsin now holds 24 commits in the 2025 recruiting cycle, which currently ranks as the No. 28 class in the country per the composite rankings.
For more Wisconsin Badgers football and basketball content, subscribe to the Talkin' Badgers podcast.
You can also follow Jake Maier at @JakeJMaier on X.