Defensive Lineman Drayden Pavey Not With Wisconsin, Yet to Arrive
One of the top players in Wisconsin’s 2025 recruiting class is not with the team. Head coach Luke Fickell revealed during Big Ten Media Days that former Cincinnati Taft defensive lineman Drayden Pavey is not with the team. A Badger official added that Pavey is dealing with a personal matter.
“He’s not with us,” Fickell told reporters from Las Vegas. “I have no idea.”
“It’s a shame,” Fickell said after a follow-up question. “With all the things going on in college football, we forget there’s still a human side of things. Those kids, they lose their way as well.”
Pavey, a three-star recruit, was a flip for Fickell and the Badgers. Originally committing to Purdue, Pavey switched up to UW following the Badgers’ 52-6 win over the Boilermakers on Oct. 5.
“I believe in Coach Fick’s vision for Wisconsin,” Pavey told On3. “I loved him when he was at UC, and if he was still there I would have went to UC. So that’s how much I trust in him. Also helps that he has played my position and that he is a defensive-minded coach first. His ability to put guys in the league.”
“Madison is a beautiful place, great college town as well,” Pavey added. “The fanbase rocks to ‘Jump Around,’ so I gotta be a part of that atmosphere.”
A three-star prospect, Pavey also held scholarship offers from Indiana, Cincinnati, West Virginia, and more. According to Rivals, Pavey was the nation’s No. 43 ranked defensive lineman in the class of 2025.
UW did sign a pair of other defensive linemen in 2025. Torin Pettaway (Middleton, Wis.) and Xavier Ukponu (Denton, Texas.) both enrolled early and went through spring ball.
Quotes courtesy of Max Siker
