The Wisconsin football team hasn't been its usual dominant self in the Big Ten's West division in recent years, especially since JJ Watt left town to become an NFL legend. Pedestrian teams like the Iowa Hawkeyes and Purdue Boilermakers have overtaken them for spots in the league championship game and Luke Fickell hasn't cashed in on his championship pedigree as an assistant with the Ohio State Buckeyes just yet.

On Friday, three-star recruit Eugene Hilton Jr. committed to play his college ball in Madison, Wisconsin. The son of former Indianapolis Colt and Miami Florida alumnus TY Hilton made his commitment amid the identification of a possible breakout Badgers star. The Badgers' sneakiest offseason portal move was also revealed.

The news was welcomed by Watt on his Twitter account from the viewpoint of someone who's spent years watching the elder Hilton blaze up and down the field. Wisconsin football has its most high profile recruit for the Class of 2025, and his name is Eugene Hilton Jr.

Watt reacts to Hilton Jr. commitment

Watt had words of excitement and sarcasm on X as he described the news that he had previously read.

He said he was looking forward to rooting for a Hilton instead of watching one run past him for a change.

Related Wisconsin Football NewsArticle continues below
Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) runs with the ball during the fourth quarter against the Texas Longhorns at Kyle Field.
Texas A&M QB pulls off massive private jet NIL move
Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell leads his team out of the tunnel before the game against the California Golden Bears at Doak S. Campbell Stadium.
Mike Norvell puts ‘great’ spin on season-opening Florida State-Alabama clash
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) runs in an obstacle drill during Spring Practice in Clemson, S.C.
Bruce Feldman picks Texas vs. Clemson national championship game

Hilton Jr.'s high school highlights 

Hilton Jr. hails from Indiana and considered Purdue, Michigan State, and Georgia before settling on Coach Fickell's Wisconsin football team.

At 6-foot-2, 170 pounds, he has a wiry strong frame and plenty of speed to burn similar to his famous father, who terrorized defenses for Andrew Luck's Colts over 11 seasons at the professional football level.

Hilton Jr. shared a picture of himself on a throne signifying that he could become royalty in Madison if he lives up to his famous father's expectations.

Wisconsin football got a surprisingly productive season out of quarterback Tanner Mordecai in 2023-2024 but the offense sputtered out in key moments.  It remains to be seen whether Hilton has the discipline, work ethic, and talent to compete and win one-on-one battles against players at the Big Ten level but the tape shows an athlete with plenty of promise who could make Badgers fans forget the past few years and remember past stars like Lee Evans and Quintez Cephus.