Wisconsin Football Recruiting: Badgers' 2013 Class Gets Huge Lift in 4-Star DT

The Wisconsin Badgers' 2013 recruiting class is looking a whole lot better with the addition of 4-star defensive tackle Darius Latham. He's going to be a huge part of this recruiting class for the Badgers, both literally and figuratively.

ESPN Recruiting Nation reported, citing multiple sources, that the 4-star DT had committed to Wisconsin:

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Darius Latham (Indianapolis, Ind./North Central), a four-star defensive tackle, has committed to play for Wisconsin, multiple sources report. He's rated as the nation's No. 272 overall prospect by ESPN for 2013.

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Latham also took to Twitter to officially break the news himself:

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I'm officially a Wisconsin Badger

— Big Business (@BigBusiness_25) July 4, 2012"

It's not possible to overstate how important this signing is for Wisconsin.

Even though some don't like to admit it, we all know that you have to have big players in the trenches to win in the Big Ten. It's just a way of life in Big Ten country, especially up at Wisconsin. If there's one thing you know you're getting out of a Badgers football team, it's tough, physical play at the line of scrimmage.

Enter in Latham, who fits the mold perfectly. He's built like a brick wall at 6'5'', 289 pounds, but the scary thing is that he plays with the speed, leverage and agility of a defensive end—a position he played in high school.

He gets great push, uses his hands very well to disengage blockers and he's quick in pursuit. Latham has the potential to cause havoc against Big Ten defenses for years to come.

This is a huge boost for Wisconsin, who now have two 4-star players out of their 11 commits—the other being defensive end Chikwe Obasih.

In a Big Ten conference that boasts an almost rebuilt Michigan program, a dangerous Michigan State program and Urban Meyer at Ohio State, getting another 4-star commitment was crucial for the Badgers.

Their 2013 class just got a huge lift.