Middleton (Wisc.) defensive lineman Torin Pettaway announced on X (formerly Twitter) Thursday night that he was decommitting from the University of Wisconsin, where he had committed just three weeks prior. He immediately followed that post with another announcing his commitment to play for the Minnesota Golden Gophers football team.
Pettaway is currently ranked as an “87” , the #70 defensive lineman in the country and the 6th best player in the state of Wisconsin. His commitment marks the second year in a row that P.J. Fleck has reached into neighboring Wisconsin to grab a coveted player with interest from the rival Badgers, following in the footsteps of All-American offensive lineman Nathan Roy from the 2024 class.
He is also the second player to commit to Minnesota’s 2025 recruiting class, joining Georgia defensive back Zachry Harden who committed to the Gophers this past weekend. Defensive line coach Winston DeLattiboudere has had quite the past 48 hours, securing Pettaway’s commitment as his primary recruiter and position coach just more than 24 hours after making an appearance as a contestant on ABC’s Password game show.
Pettaway is still a relative newcomer to football, having only taken up the game of football a weeks ahead of his 2023 high school season. Middleton head coach Tim Simon spoke with Badger247 recently, saying the following about the prospect:
“He’s really athletic. He’s a big body that can occupy space that can eat up a 2×2-yard area, but he’s explosive and will chase plays down.”
“Coaches liked that he was as good as he was without ever having played the game of football in his life.”
**Title: Middleton Defensive Lineman Torin Pettaway Commits to Minnesota, Shakes Up Big Ten Recruiting Landscape**
In a stunning turn of events, Middleton’s defensive powerhouse Torin Pettaway has sent shockwaves through the Big Ten recruiting scene. Just three weeks after committing to the University of Wisconsin, Pettaway took to X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday night to announce his decommitment, leaving Badger fans reeling.
But Pettaway didn’t leave them in the dark for long. In a swift and unexpected move, he promptly declared his commitment to the Minnesota Golden Gophers football team, leaving many scratching their heads and others cheering in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
Ranked as an “87” on the esteemed 247Sports scale, Pettaway is no stranger to the limelight. As the #70 defensive lineman in the nation and the 6th best player in Wisconsin, his decision to cross state lines and join Minnesota’s roster has sent shockwaves through both fan bases.
This marks the second consecutive year that Minnesota’s head coach, P.J. Fleck, has successfully wooed a highly coveted player from their neighboring state. Pettaway’s commitment follows in the footsteps of All-American offensive lineman Nathan Roy from the 2024 class, solidifying Fleck’s reputation as a recruiter with a keen eye for talent and a knack for sealing the deal.
Pettaway’s decision to join the Golden Gophers also underscores the impressive work of defensive line coach Winston DeLattiboudere. Within just 24 hours of showcasing his intellect and charisma on ABC’s Password game show, DeLattiboudere secured Pettaway’s commitment, further bolstering Minnesota’s defensive lineup for the upcoming seasons.
Despite being a relative newcomer to the sport, having picked up football just ahead of his 2023 high school season, Pettaway’s athleticism and natural talent have caught the attention of coaches and analysts alike. Middleton head coach Tim Simon praised Pettaway’s agility and explosiveness, highlighting his ability to dominate the field despite his limited experience.
“He’s really athletic,” Simon stated in a recent interview with Badger247. “He’s a big body that can occupy space, but he’s explosive and will chase plays down. Coaches liked that he was as good as he was without ever having played the game of football in his life.”
With Pettaway’s commitment, Minnesota’s 2025 recruiting class gains its second star player, joining forces with Georgia defensive back Zachry Harden, who pledged his allegiance to the Golden Gophers just last weekend.
As Pettaway prepares to embark on his collegiate football journey with the maroon and gold, the landscape of Big Ten football recruiting has undoubtedly been shaken. With his raw talent and untapped potential, all eyes will be on Pettaway as he aims to make a lasting impact on the gridiron for the Golden Gophers.
visit ratesoccernews.com
Leave a Reply