The Wisconsin Badgers and Luke Fickell landed much-needed tight end Jackson McGohan from their bowl opponent, the LSU Tigers.
Committed❤️🤍 pic.twitter.com/eC410zDfRm
— jackson mcgohan (@jackson_mcgohan) December 14, 2023
Wisconsin has added four transfer players just this week. The Badgers only have one tight end recruit coming in to their 2024 class thus far. In 2023 Wisconsin tight ends collectively accrued under 300 yards receiving. Their leader was Hayden Rucci, who had 112 yards on 10 catches.
McGohan did not consistently contribute to the Tigers’ offense in his freshman year as he only saw the field eight times on offense the entire season. The former consensus three-star played in eight games as a freshman, and recorded 69 snaps on special teams.
New Wisconsin Badgers’ tight end and former basketball player Jackson McGohan has limited experience, but possesses potential
McGohan, like many other successful tight ends such as Antonio Gates and Jimmy Graham, was a basketball player in his past. The skill set associated gives him a unique advantage on the football field.
Fickell saw this potential when he was with the Cincinnati Bearcats, but the recruitment fell through when Fickell took the job at Wisconsin. McGohan ended up signing with LSU, but he still had a close relationship with Fickell and his staff. In an article from 247Sports, McGohan outlined his relationship with said staff.
“A lot of the staff is like family to me knowing them so long, a great culture is very important and they’ve got it! I’m ready to play and make a difference,” McGohan said
247Sports‘ Allen Trieu evaluated McGohan in high school, where he was on the All-Southwest Ohio team as a junior and a senior.
“Had a good junior year then stepped it up more as a senior,” Trieu wrote while evaluating McGohan in high school. “Has top-notch ball skills with the ability to win 50-50 balls and make acrobatic, tough grabs with regularity. Catches the ball away from his body naturally. Smooth route runner. Runs hard after the catch and will break tackles.
“Right now, he has solid, above average straight-line speed but that and initial explosiveness can still be improved as he gets into college. Has been a hybrid tight end-receiver in college. Question will be how he best projects long term. He shows good blocking ability from a split position. Will he add the weight and blocking skills to play on the line more or is he going to always be a move guy who can play outside or in the slot? Regardless, his pass-catching skills are too good for him to not project as a productive college player.
“He will have a chance to play beyond college depending on his continued physical development.”
Wisconsin Badgers vs. LSU Tigers
The LSU Tigers, McGonahan’s former team, will be taking on the team he intends to play for in the future in the Wisconsin Badgers. The Badgers take on the No. 13 Tigers in the Reliaquest Bowl on New Year’s Day.
The Wisconsin Badgers and the LSU Tigers are an even 1-1 in their series history. The last time the two teams played was on Sep. 3, 2016 in a game that the Badgers won 16-14. The Paul Chryst-coached Badgers were home to future NFL stars like T.J. Watt, Quintez Cephus, Dare Ogunbawale and Ryan Ramczyk.
The Les Miles-led Tigers were only that for the first four games of this season as this was the year Miles was replaced by national championship-winning head coach Ed Orgeron. The Tigers had future NFL stars Leonard Fournette, D.J. Chark, Jamal Adams and Foster Moreau.
The way this matchup will play out is unpredictable at this time. The result heavily relies on Heisman winner Jayden Daniels‘ unannounced participation. Daniels will likely be a first-round pick, and if he doesn’t play the landscape of the game changes significantly.
Get More College Football Content
For more news and trends in the college football world, click here or follow me on Twitter @KusleikaAndrew.