National Signing Day 2017: DL Aaron Vopal signs with Wisconsin

Defensive lineman Aaron Vopal will stay in-state and play for Wisconsin in 2017.

What stands out about Vopal is his diversity along the defensive line. Rivals projects Vopal as a defensive tackle at the next level, while most other recruiting services see him as a defensive end. Vopal certainly has the size (6’7) to put on the weight needed to move inside, but he also wreaked havoc on the outside during his high-school career. Whatever position the coaching staff decides, Vopal has the frame and motor to become a disruptive player in the trenches.

Rankings

247Sports (composite): Three stars; No. 627 player in nation; No. 25 strong-side defensive end; No. 5 in Wisconsin

247Sports: Three Star; Grade 86; No. 708 player in nation; No. 31 strong-side defensive end in nation; No. 6 player in Wisconsin

ESPN: Three-star; Grade 77; No. 76 defensive end in nation; No. 85 regional; No. 6 player in Wisconsin

Rivals: Three-star; No. 26 defensive tackle in nation; No. 2 player in Wisconsin

Scout: Three-star; No. 105 defensive end in nation; No. 17 defensive end in Midwest region; No. 1 defensive end in Wisconsin

Verbally committed on Jan. 25, 2016

The De Pere native committed almost immediately after receiving an offer from head coach Paul Chryst at Junior Day last January. Vopal was the Badgers’ second commit of the class of 2017.

B5Q’s Andrew Rosin detailed the projection of Vopal last year:

Initial expectations are that Vopal will not join four-star guard Kayden Lyles as a commitment on the offensive line, as reports from 247Sports, BadgerBlitz.com and BadgerNation.com state Vopal will play on the defensive line. Of course, his final position on the field may vary as the UW defensive coordinator question is still without an answer, but Vopal definitely has the sort of athleticism that allows one to project something fun on the opposite side of 2016 commit Isaiahh Loudermilk.

Vopal received offers from Wisconsin, Iowa State, Buffalo and New Mexico.

Video Highlights

Honors

2016 All-USA First-Team Wisconsin

2016 WFCA First-Team All-State

Bio (courtesy of UWBadgers.com)

High School: Three-star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN, Rivals and Scout … finished two-year varsity career with 117 tackles, 20 TFLs and 7.5 sacks … first-team all-state by Associated Press and Wisconsin Football Coaches Association as a senior, recording 69 tackles, 11 TFLs and 4.5 sacks … first-team All-Fox River Classic Conference as a junior and senior … all-region by WFCA as a junior and senior … as a junior, recorded 48 tackles, 9 TFLs and 3 sacks … team captain as a senior … three-year varsity starter in basketball … coach was Chad Michalkiewicz