VIDEO: https://wisconsin.rivals.com/news/week-4-in-state-blitz-2019-defensive-end-jake-raddatz
Strengths:
Jake Raddatz (dad, Craig, played for the Badgers in the 1980s) is part of an awfully good front 7 for Homestead, which has given up just 24 total points in four weeks. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 238 pounds, Raddatz is pretty quick off the ball and uses his leverage well. He's got pretty good initial burst and was consistently in West Bend West's backfield Friday night. Raddatz doesn't get tangled up with offensive linemen - he's able to use his hands well in order to pursue the ball carrier efficiently. I think he also moves pretty well from sideline to sideline when chasing down a play. Lastly, I came away impressed with how sound he was assignment-wise. He's a well-coached and smart football player who doesn't over-pursue off the edge.
Areas of improvement:
Nitpicking here, but Raddatz is probably closer to 6-foot-3 than 6-foot-4, and he doesn't have a huge wingspan. He's going to need to get stronger, but that will come in the next few years. I think his game will take off once he develops a few moves (rip, swim, etc.) he's comfortable with.
Outlook:
I think Raddatz is definitely a kid who could earn an offer from Wisconsin at some point. It will be interesting to see if he can add an inch or two over the next 12 months or so. Craig was listed at 6-foot-3 and 230 while at UW, so I don't think 6-foot-6 is in the cards. But Jake certainly has room to fill out more and could easily play in the 250-range next season. A long way to go here before saying anything definitive.
Wisconsin comparison on current roster:
With Raddatz just starting to scratch the surface, it's tough to make a comparison to a Badger on the current roster. We had Alec James listed at 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds in high school, and I think Raddatz is closer to him than he is to Kraig Howe or David Pfaff. Chikwe Obasih and Conor Sheehy were both more stout in the hips and thighs in comparison to Raddatz as well.
Let me know what your thoughts are.
Strengths:
Jake Raddatz (dad, Craig, played for the Badgers in the 1980s) is part of an awfully good front 7 for Homestead, which has given up just 24 total points in four weeks. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 238 pounds, Raddatz is pretty quick off the ball and uses his leverage well. He's got pretty good initial burst and was consistently in West Bend West's backfield Friday night. Raddatz doesn't get tangled up with offensive linemen - he's able to use his hands well in order to pursue the ball carrier efficiently. I think he also moves pretty well from sideline to sideline when chasing down a play. Lastly, I came away impressed with how sound he was assignment-wise. He's a well-coached and smart football player who doesn't over-pursue off the edge.
Areas of improvement:
Nitpicking here, but Raddatz is probably closer to 6-foot-3 than 6-foot-4, and he doesn't have a huge wingspan. He's going to need to get stronger, but that will come in the next few years. I think his game will take off once he develops a few moves (rip, swim, etc.) he's comfortable with.
Outlook:
I think Raddatz is definitely a kid who could earn an offer from Wisconsin at some point. It will be interesting to see if he can add an inch or two over the next 12 months or so. Craig was listed at 6-foot-3 and 230 while at UW, so I don't think 6-foot-6 is in the cards. But Jake certainly has room to fill out more and could easily play in the 250-range next season. A long way to go here before saying anything definitive.
Wisconsin comparison on current roster:
With Raddatz just starting to scratch the surface, it's tough to make a comparison to a Badger on the current roster. We had Alec James listed at 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds in high school, and I think Raddatz is closer to him than he is to Kraig Howe or David Pfaff. Chikwe Obasih and Conor Sheehy were both more stout in the hips and thighs in comparison to Raddatz as well.
Let me know what your thoughts are.
