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Wisconsin pulled a late recruiting flip when Shakopee standout Blake Betton switched his commitment from Penn State to the Badgers after visiting Madison. What stands out most about the 6-foot-3 prospect is not the flip itself but his knack for creating turnovers — nine interceptions across the past three seasons.
Nine interceptions from a future linebacker?
Blake Betton arrives at Wisconsin with a background that reads like a hybrid defensive playbook. Listed near 205 pounds, he has played safety and wide receiver at Shakopee High School in Minnesota, and that multi‑position experience helps explain his interception total.
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Betton recorded four picks as a sophomore and two more as a junior, then added three as a senior — a total of nine over three seasons. He also logged 175 tackles across his sophomore and junior campaigns, demonstrating production beyond occasional big‑play moments.
One example stands out: in a Class 6A state semifinal against Maple Grove as a sophomore, Betton intercepted two passes — one late in the first quarter and another in the third — the latter setting Shakopee up at the Maple Grove 20. Those were game‑impacting plays, not mop‑up statistics.
Why his skill set matters for modern linebackers
The role of the linebacker has shifted. Today’s front sevens are asked to cover receivers and handle space more than ever.
Betton’s time at safety and his pattern of interceptions suggest he already spends significant snaps in coverage. That versatility is valuable if Wisconsin plans to use him in space or move him around the defense.
The size question Wisconsin must manage
At roughly 205 pounds, Betton is not yet physically ready to take on 300‑plus‑ pound linemen every play in the Big Ten. Still, his frame and mobility give Wisconsin options.
If the Badgers can add weight without sacrificing the quickness that made him an effective safety, Betton could project as a more conventional linebacker or a hybrid off‑ball option. Hitting a range around 220 pounds while preserving movement would be the ideal outcome, but how Wisconsin manages that transition remains to be seen.
A notable recruiting win
Betton initially committed to Penn State in April, and that commitment stood for several months. Wisconsin, however, maintained contact — including continued outreach from Tuf Borland — and never stopped recruiting him, his father and high school coach, Ray Betton, told Rivals.
Betton visited Madison over the weekend for Wisconsin’s 24‑7 win over USC, and the next day he flipped his pledge to the Badgers. The timing — arriving to see a defensive performance that held USC to 241 yards and minus‑17 rushing while on campus — was advantageous for Luke Fickell’s staff.
This was not an uncontested flip. Michigan, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Auburn and Missouri were among the programs that offered him, and Penn State had held his commitment for more than six months. For Wisconsin, securing Betton represents a meaningful recruiting victory.
How the Badgers ultimately use Betton will be interesting to watch: he could develop into a classic off‑linebacker, or Wisconsin could preserve his safety instincts and deploy him as a movable piece. Either way, the traits that make him intriguing — his size, mobility and consistent ability to find the football — are already on display.
