:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67010734/1192018288.jpg.0.jpg)
Name: Clay Cundiff
Position: tight end
2020 eligibility: redshirt freshman
Recruiting info out of HS: 247 composite 3-star, No. 49 tight end, Wichita, Kan.
2018 recruitment: Cundiff’s recruitment started with Wisconsin in 2017 as the tight end took an unofficial visit to Madison in November. In June of 2018, Cundiff appeared to want to stay in-state as he announced his commitment to the Kansas Jayhawks. Despite the commitment the Badgers stayed in touch and Cundiff returned to Wisconsin for an official visit on October 5th, 2018. Two days later Cundiff decommitted from Kansas and committed to Wisconsin.
Career statistics: N/A
2019 statistics: N/A
Player overview: 2019 was a redshirt season for Cundiff who battled through some early season injuries much like the rest of the tight end room a season ago. This year Cundiff will be back in the mix in a tightly contested room. Much of what we have seen of Cundiff has been his high school tape or reps in practice, but in limited sample size Cundiff appears to be a very strong candidate to be in the mix in 2020. At 6-foot-4, Cundiff has the size and catch radius you want out of a tight end. He possesses good speed and ability to high point the football. Much like the rest of the tight ends, how well you block will likely determine how much of the field you see early on.
Best case scenario for 2020: Cundiff was a very exciting prospect for the Badgers out of high school and will now look to break through as a redshirt Freshman. Best case scenario for Cundiff in 2020 is that he comes into camp and wows the coaching staff, and works his way into the number two tight end role. Additionally, with Jake Ferguson being a much stronger pass catcher than blocker, some “starter” reps may be available in the run game if Cundiff, or others, can do the dirty work as a blocker.
Likely role on team in 2020: With Cundiff healthy and ready for year two it is expected that he will be in the mix for the back up tight end position. There is much more depth there this season with Cundiff, Hayden Rucci, Cam Large, Cole Dakovich and Jack Eschenbach all in the mix as younger players. Ferguson will be your starter, but roles may emerge in different ways for other players if they can prove themselves in practice.