The Wisconsin Badgers soccer staff hardly ever lands 5-star expertise on the recruiting path.
Nevertheless, Nolan Rucci got here to Wisconsin because the highest-ranked member of the 2021 recruiting class with a ton of fanfare primarily based on his top-20 standing within the class.
The Pennsylvania native was thought of the very best participant within the state and one of many 5 greatest offensive linemen in the whole nation for his grade degree.
In the long run, Rucci selected to observe his older brother Hayden, a junior tight finish on the roster, to Madison, over scholarship alternatives with Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Stanford, and Texas, amongst others.
As anticipated, Rucci didn’t play as a real freshman. Offensive linemen seldom are bodily ready to start out instantly, and the 5-star prospect was no completely different.
Understanding that there’s extra on the road this yr, Rucci went to work this low season. “I believe a number of my approach is unquestionably improved, you recognize, since final season. Simply engaged on all of it spring and summer time, we have gotten a number of good work in. Simply with our run-blocking sport and all-new approach and every little thing like that. So I am actually excited to place it to work right here within the fall, and yeah, get after it,” Rucci instructed All Badgers.
After redshirting his first season with the Badgers, Rucci has added weight to his 6-foot-8 inch body and is feeling “extra ready” getting into fall camp this yr. Consequently, he’s a contender for taking part in time at proper sort out and is probably going the No. 2 left sort out for the season-opener in opposition to Illinois State.
Working at each positions this fall, Rucci feels as if his sport interprets to each side of the road and is not anxious about shifting between each tackles spots. “You simply type of need to study to flip what you are doing, and it isn’t an excessive amount of of a transition,” Rucci stated. “I do know I’ve performed a number of left and proper by way of the season, and I believe simply with the ability to play each and be ambidextrous on the place is a giant benefit for me.”
Throughout Monday’s apply, Rucci labored solely at left sort out with the second unit, however new offensive line coach Bob Bostad confirmed throughout soccer media day that Logan Brown, Riley Mahlman, and Rucci had been every competing for the beginning proper sort out spot as effectively.
Along with receiving reps at every sort out place, Rucci might even have a task as a jumbo-tight finish in short-yardage conditions if he doesn’t win the beginning sort out place. Within the spring, he acquired reps as an additional blocker, and that’s one other position he’s enthusiastic about this fall. “That will probably be a number of enjoyable this yr. Clearly, hopefully, a great probability to get on the sector somewhat bit extra as effectively. So I am simply tremendous excited to work that place in, particularly throughout camp.”
With simply over three weeks of fall apply remaining earlier than the season-opener, Rucci and the remainder of the staff will proceed to push for extra taking part in time. With a yr of expertise within the power and conditioning program, Rucci seems able to see the sector in some capability in 2022.
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