VIDEO: https://wisconsin.rivals.com/news/week-6-spring-blitz-2022-wisconsin-target-isaac-hamm
STRENGTHS
This isn’t a strength or weakness, but Isaac Hamm was smaller than what I anticipated, only because we had him listed before at 6-foot-6 and 270 pounds. After seeing him in person for the first time, I think he’s much closer to 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds. Again, that’s not a knock on him - just an observation from my end.
During a 38-14 win over Middleton on Friday evening, Sun Prairie moved Hamm all over the defensive line. He played some end, on the interior and he even stood up for a good chunk of reps. I thought it was from that spot (edge/standing up) where Hamm caused the most disruption. His burst at the snap was impressive and Middleton was forced to move the action away from Hamm’s side all evening on obvious passing downs.
Hamm’s overall athleticism stood out. He possesses the buzzwords we heard this weekend during the NFL Draft - “quick-twitch” “flexibility/bend” “sudden” “high motor” - he has all those characteristics. Hamm also displayed the ability to get his hands up and disrupt passing lanes. And when he got in the backfield, he pursued plays from sideline to sideline. With his hand in the ground, Hamm is strong enough to push the pile in his favor and disrupt running lanes.
Overall, it’s easy to see why Hamm is one of the most heavily recruited defensive linemen the state has produced over the last 20 years or so. He’s a big, strong kid who moves extremely well for his size. With that, he reminded me a little bit of Alec James, who ended up at Wisconsin from the 2013 class. Wherever Hamm lands, he’s going to give his coordinator some position flexibility, especially on third down where he can likely play on the edge at 270-plus pounds in a few years. Hamm plays with violence and a nasty streak that will also serve him well at the next level.
I talked to someone prior to the game who said Hamm was the best defensive lineman the Sun Prairie program has ever produced. I asked about a former player a few years back and they responded “He’s (Hamm) 10 times better...”
Check out @Jake Kocorowski's thoughts from earlier this season: https://wisconsin.forums.rivals.com/threads/week-2-spring-blitz-2022-target-isaac-hamm.26228/
AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT
Hamm is still pretty raw and he’s able to dominate because he’s stronger and more athletic than the kids he goes up against. At the college level, he’s going to have to tighten up his foot- and hand-work. Similarly, I didn’t see a ton of moves (swim, shoulder slap, etc.) from Hamm at his end spot; again, though, he gets by at the high school level without them. But that will likely be part of his learning curve when he arrives on campus.
OUTLOOK/RECRUITMENT
Hamm’s focus this season wasn’t solely focused on earning an offer from Ohio State. But I do think that was one of his goals and a big reason why he kept the Buckeyes in his top four despite not holding a scholarship from that school. When I talked to Hamm on Friday evening, he said the communication with Ohio State had dipped a bit, though he was still in communication with that staff.
Moving forward, I believe the focus is on three programs: Wisconsin, Penn State and Notre Dame. Hamm is going to take officials to all three schools and then likely make a final decision. I still think UW comes out on top here, but I don’t think the Badgers get him to commit while on campus the weekend of June 4.
There’s a big push for Hamm to stay home and he’s feeling that from the Sun Prairie community. He’s also developed a really strong relationship with new position coach Ross Kolodziej, who has certainly prioritized Hamm in his class. Unless Notre Dame can work some magic, I expect Hamm to stay inside the state and commit to the Badgers at some point this summer.
WISCONSIN COMPARISON ON THE CURRENT ROSTER
Should Hamm wind up at Wisconsin, I think he’ll bring a different type of athleticism to the position. Guys like Gio Paez (took reps at nose tackle this spring), Rodas Johnson, Isaiah Mullens and Matt Henningsen - potentially even Mike Jarvis - are more stout and have the ability to play on the inside, if needed. And while I don’t think Hamm is as long as James Thompson or Cade McDonald, he’s more of a traditional end like those two are. I’m not going to pretend to know a ton about incoming transfer Isaac Townsend (6-foot-5 and 260 pounds), but that could be similar comp at this point.
Let me know what you think.
STRENGTHS
This isn’t a strength or weakness, but Isaac Hamm was smaller than what I anticipated, only because we had him listed before at 6-foot-6 and 270 pounds. After seeing him in person for the first time, I think he’s much closer to 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds. Again, that’s not a knock on him - just an observation from my end.
During a 38-14 win over Middleton on Friday evening, Sun Prairie moved Hamm all over the defensive line. He played some end, on the interior and he even stood up for a good chunk of reps. I thought it was from that spot (edge/standing up) where Hamm caused the most disruption. His burst at the snap was impressive and Middleton was forced to move the action away from Hamm’s side all evening on obvious passing downs.
Hamm’s overall athleticism stood out. He possesses the buzzwords we heard this weekend during the NFL Draft - “quick-twitch” “flexibility/bend” “sudden” “high motor” - he has all those characteristics. Hamm also displayed the ability to get his hands up and disrupt passing lanes. And when he got in the backfield, he pursued plays from sideline to sideline. With his hand in the ground, Hamm is strong enough to push the pile in his favor and disrupt running lanes.
Overall, it’s easy to see why Hamm is one of the most heavily recruited defensive linemen the state has produced over the last 20 years or so. He’s a big, strong kid who moves extremely well for his size. With that, he reminded me a little bit of Alec James, who ended up at Wisconsin from the 2013 class. Wherever Hamm lands, he’s going to give his coordinator some position flexibility, especially on third down where he can likely play on the edge at 270-plus pounds in a few years. Hamm plays with violence and a nasty streak that will also serve him well at the next level.
I talked to someone prior to the game who said Hamm was the best defensive lineman the Sun Prairie program has ever produced. I asked about a former player a few years back and they responded “He’s (Hamm) 10 times better...”
Check out @Jake Kocorowski's thoughts from earlier this season: https://wisconsin.forums.rivals.com/threads/week-2-spring-blitz-2022-target-isaac-hamm.26228/
AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT
Hamm is still pretty raw and he’s able to dominate because he’s stronger and more athletic than the kids he goes up against. At the college level, he’s going to have to tighten up his foot- and hand-work. Similarly, I didn’t see a ton of moves (swim, shoulder slap, etc.) from Hamm at his end spot; again, though, he gets by at the high school level without them. But that will likely be part of his learning curve when he arrives on campus.
OUTLOOK/RECRUITMENT
Hamm’s focus this season wasn’t solely focused on earning an offer from Ohio State. But I do think that was one of his goals and a big reason why he kept the Buckeyes in his top four despite not holding a scholarship from that school. When I talked to Hamm on Friday evening, he said the communication with Ohio State had dipped a bit, though he was still in communication with that staff.
Moving forward, I believe the focus is on three programs: Wisconsin, Penn State and Notre Dame. Hamm is going to take officials to all three schools and then likely make a final decision. I still think UW comes out on top here, but I don’t think the Badgers get him to commit while on campus the weekend of June 4.
There’s a big push for Hamm to stay home and he’s feeling that from the Sun Prairie community. He’s also developed a really strong relationship with new position coach Ross Kolodziej, who has certainly prioritized Hamm in his class. Unless Notre Dame can work some magic, I expect Hamm to stay inside the state and commit to the Badgers at some point this summer.
WISCONSIN COMPARISON ON THE CURRENT ROSTER
Should Hamm wind up at Wisconsin, I think he’ll bring a different type of athleticism to the position. Guys like Gio Paez (took reps at nose tackle this spring), Rodas Johnson, Isaiah Mullens and Matt Henningsen - potentially even Mike Jarvis - are more stout and have the ability to play on the inside, if needed. And while I don’t think Hamm is as long as James Thompson or Cade McDonald, he’s more of a traditional end like those two are. I’m not going to pretend to know a ton about incoming transfer Isaac Townsend (6-foot-5 and 260 pounds), but that could be similar comp at this point.
Let me know what you think.
