One Gal Gang: Champion Takes Over as Top PPV for '27s and Moves Wisconsin to #1 Recruiting Class "Kind Of"

It's hard for any real recruiting news to break into the headlines during the stretch run of the college season, but boy did Decelise Champion steal the show for a couple of days last week.  The highly touted Opposite, already playing for the Puerto Rican National Team and viewed as one of the best players in the world and a "can't miss prospect," made her verbal commitment to Wisconsin late last week, and a verbal that the social media verse was a rage for 48 hours.

Wisconsin had previously struck out on #1 OH Ireland Real (Texas) out of California, and with a loaded Class of 2026 and a talent-rich Setter and Libero class on its way in 2028, the Badgers passed on those positions, so the class was very thin until Champions call.  It had been such a slow signing period that Coach Sheffield wasted no time heading to X, dropping not 1, but 2 immediate tease tweets like they had been burning holes in his pockets since June.  But, honestly, who could blame Wisconsin's Commander-in-Chief? He wasn't getting just any normal prospect in Champion.  This verbal comes with layers:

*She comes as one of the highest-prospected OPP recruits in recent memory

*She takes over as our top-rated PPV prospect in the Class of 2027 (initial PPV 296), replacing Ireland Real, who had held that position for months.

*They did beat out the other "Red School" for her commitment, which is never a bad thing in Madison.

*With her high PPV score, Wisconsin on paper takes over the #1 Recruiting Class for 2027 (sort of).  We have a rule that you can't have a "Recruiting Class" with one athlete that doesn't justify a "Class," so they don't qualify until they have 2 people signed, but Champion still moves them way up if they add someone late.

They saved on their $ Cap for 2028 and still grabbed the Prize Piece they truly wanted.  That's a big W for Wisconsin. 

​