One of the top-ranked players in the 2021 recruiting class announced on Tuesday that he plans to participate in Wisconsin. Five-star offensive lineman Nolan Ruchi picked live badgers at Clemson, Michigan, Notre Dame and Penn State at CBS Sports Headquarters.
According to the 247 Sports Composite Rankings, Ruchi is considered the country’s 14th overall prospect and No. 5 offensive face. It is Wisconsin’s second-highest rated commitment of 247 sports era and the program’s fifth-five-five-star commitment. Wisconsin now has 17 commitments in the class that ranks 17th in the country and 3rd in the Big Ten. Rousseau is the group’s third offensive lineman.
At 6-foot-8, Ruchi will make an excessive appearance on the offensive line for Wisconsin as he joins his brother Hayden Rousseau, the latest tight end to the redshirt for badgers. His father, Todd Rousseau, played on the offensive line at Penn State and was selected by the Patriots in the second round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played seven asons for the franchise.
Barton Simmons, director of scouting for 247 Sports, wrote the following crash on Russian:
The future of the huge offensive line you will find with a unique body types in length, athletic build and more. Plays with good knee flexion and leverage for a player of his size. Coordinates and fluid as a second level inhibitor. Defenders over size and strength. Finishes the blocks and runs his legs through the contact. There is an innate punch. The length and balance of being a high-end pass protector. More pass on the film does not show security. Attitudes need work. Playing with pad levels is a challenge due to body type. The level of competition is not challenging. Very raw from a technical and experience point of view but it is the combination of size and athleticism that makes it the prospect of the most talented offensive line of the 2020 class. Will not be able to contribute in a year but has the look of a future Power Five high end starter with first or second day NFL draft up.
