2020 TE Cole Dakovich signs with Wisconsin

An explosive basketball player, Cole Dakovich has only played high school football his junior and senior years. With his size and frame, he projects to multiple positions in the college game, something that the Wisconsin staff especially liked about his potential. The Badgers would offer after a stellar junior season in which he played outside linebacker and wide receiver at Catholic Memorial within the state. By all accounts though, he appears primed to join the team as a tight end, at least to start.

A back-to-back state champion, Dakovich has some impressive athleticism. He has also really hit the weight room, adding roughly 30 pounds in the past year or so. With some great ball skills from his time on the hardwood to pair with his explosiveness and physicality, Dakovich looks like he could be an absolute gem in the 2020 class.

Rankings

247 Composite: 3-stars; grade: .8755; No. 529 player in the nation; No. 36 OLB; No. 3 Wis.

247 Sports: 3-stars; grade: 88; No. 450 player in the nation; No. 34 OLB; No. 4 Wis.

Rivals: 3-stars; 5.7 rating; No. 15 TE; No. 3 Wis.

ESPN: 3-stars; grade: 77; No. 60 OLB; No. 66 Regional; No. 5 Wis.

Verbally committed January 25, 2019

One of a handful of in-state prospects invited for an initial junior day in January of 2019, Cole Dakovich received his first offer from Wisconsin. Dakovich would ultimately shut down his recruitment within the week, over early interest from Iowa and Purdue.

The versatile athlete was originally offered as an outside linebacker by the staff, but after some attrition on the team at tight end, and a flurry of linebacker commitments during the summer, the staff pivoted to bring in Dakovich as a tight end. The senior standout took his official visit in June, and visited for multiple home football games this fall to only cement his standing in Wisconsin’s 2020 class.

Video highlights

Player bio (courtesy of UW Athletic Department)