Big Ten Roundup (July 12): 4-Star Football Recruits Commit to Wisconsin, Rutgers

Four-star football players in the class of 2024, Anelu Lafaele and Kaj Sanders, committed to Wisconsin and Rutgers, respectively, to play for head coaches Luke Fickell and Greg Schiano. Meanwhile in the 2023 MLB Draft, Maryland shortstop Matt Shaw was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the first round.

Coach Luke Fickell and Wisconsin earned a commitment from four-star linebacker Anelu Lafaele, while four-star defensive back Kaj Sanders committed to Rutgers to play under head coach Greg Schiano. Both are commits for the class of 2024.

In the 2023 MLB Draft, Maryland's Matt Shaw was selected No. 13 overall by the Chicago Cubs. He was the first player from the Big Ten selected in the draft. 

Here's everything you need to know in today's Big Ten Roundup:

Anelu Lafaele Commits to Wisconsin

Props to Lafaele — he might have come up with THE funniest commitment announcement video of all-time. 

all time commitment video by Anelu Lafaele pic.twitter.com/j6Z4JiGKhf

— Nathan (@NathanJH31) July 11, 2023

The four-star linebacker from Honolulu picked the Badgers over Arizona State, Washington and his home state university, Hawai'i. 

It's important to note that Lafaele was rated a four-star by 247 Sports, but only graded out as a three-star according to On3 and Rivals' recruiting rankings. 

Regardless, Lafaele is Wisconsin's 18th overall commit of the 2024 recruiting class, and the class recruited by coach Luke Fickell ranks as high as 15th overall nationally (according to Rivals). 

Fickell is entering his first season at Wisconsin after taking Cincinnati to the College Football Playoff two seasons ago, and he's already off to a strong start on the recruiting trail.

Kaj Sanders Commits to Rutgers

Wisconsin ranking as high as No. 15 in the recruiting rankings might be familiar to some, but seeing Rutgers at No. 25 in the same set of rankings is a bit eye-popping. 

Thanks to the recent commitment of four-star corner Kaj Sanders, coach Greg Schiano and the Scarlet Knights continue to build a strong foundation in Piscataway, N.J. with the class of 2024. 

I’m home. pic.twitter.com/H1Z2aFNpyX

— Kaj Sanders (@kajsanders_) July 8, 2023

Not only is Sanders' commitment huge due to his talent on the field, but it's a huge win for Rutgers in defending home turf on the recruiting trail. Schiano and his staff kept the four-star defensive back in state and won a recruiting battle against the other three schools Sanders was considering in his final decision video: Wisconsin, North Carolina and South Carolina. 

Rutgers now has 21 total commits in the class of 2024, according to 247 Sports. 

Matt Shaw Drafted by Chicago Cubs

With the No. 1 and 2 overall picks from LSU, the SEC might have dominated the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft, but the Big Ten got on the board eventually with the selection of Maryland Terrapin Matt Shaw.

Shaw was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the first round with the No. 13 overall pick, making him the highest drafted player in Maryland baseball history. 

The shortstop had a huge junior season at Maryland, batting .341 with 24 home runs, 90 hits and 69 RBI en route to winning Big Ten Player of the Year and a consensus first-team All-American selection.

By drafting Matt Shaw, the Cubs continue their trend of selecting athletic middle infielders who have perfected the jump throw pic.twitter.com/brFtryvl8r

— Brendan Miller (@brendan_cubs) July 11, 2023

The Chicago Cubs currently sit at 42-47 and third in the NL Central Division, seven games behind the Cincinnati Reds, and now bring Shaw and his scintillating jump-throws to the Windy City. 

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