Tackett Curtis

Tackett Curtis
Wisconsin Badgers – No. 4
PositionLinebacker
ClassSophomore
MajorBusiness Administration
Personal information
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight225 lb (102 kg)
Career history
CollegeUSC (2023)
Wisconsin (2024–present)
High schoolMany (Many, Louisiana)
Career highlights and awards

Tackett Curtis is an American football linebacker for the Wisconsin Badgers. He previously played for the USC Trojans.

Early life

Curtis attended Many High School in Louisiana where he was a two-way player and was highly recruited, receiving offers to play college football as a freshman.[1] He totaled 92 tackles and four interceptions on defense as a sophomore and helped Many win the state championship while being named the Class 2A Most Outstanding Defensive Player, The Times Defensive Player of the Year, All-District, All-State, and the defensive most valuable player of the latter two.[2][3]

The following year, Curtis had 128 tackles, 18 tackles-for-loss, four interceptions and three forced fumbles and was named All-District and the defensive MVP, All-State and defensive MVP, the Louisiana Football Report Co-Defensive Player of the Year and MaxPreps Small School All-American.[2][4] As a senior, he helped Many win another state title while totaling 112 tackles, 16 tackles-for-loss, six sacks and three interceptions, additionally recording 1,115 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.[2] He was the first Many athlete to be named the LSWA Mr. Football and received many other additional honors, including: state championship MVP, MaxPreps Louisiana Player of the Year, All-District, district defensive MVP, first-team MaxPreps All-American and being a finalist for the Butkus Award for top linebacker in the U.S.[2][5][6] Curtis was ranked a top-100 recruit nationally and committed to the USC Trojans.[7][8]

College career

Curtis became a starter immediately as a true freshman at USC in 2023, being the first to start at his position as a true freshman for the school since 2015, and the second since 1978.[9] He ultimately appeared in 12 games for the Trojans in the 2023 season and posted 40 tackles, four tackles-for-loss, two sacks and two fumble recoveries.[10] He entered the NCAA transfer portal after the season.[11][12] He was ranked the best linebacker in the transfer portal and ultimately committed to the Wisconsin Badgers.[13][14]

References

  1. ^ Watson, Jimmy (August 14, 2020). "Many's Curtis tacking on collegiate offers". The Times. p. B1 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  2. ^ a b c d "Tackett Curtis". USC Trojans.
  3. ^ Gafford, LaMar (October 24, 2021). "Football, family important to Curtis". The Town Talk. p. B1 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  4. ^ Domangue, Dylan (January 12, 2022). "Many Tigers place two on MaxPreps Small Town All-America team". KALB-TV.
  5. ^ Watson, Jimmy (December 12, 2022). "Many's Curtis moves on to USC with two state titles". The Times. p. B1, B2 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  6. ^ Watson, Jimmy (January 8, 2023). "Many's Curtis selected as the 2022 LSWA Mr. Football". Daily World. p. B1, B3 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  7. ^ Morrissette, Connor (April 12, 2023). "USC football: Lincoln Riley calls Tackett Curtis the best linebacker in 2023 class". Sports Illustrated.
  8. ^ Morales, Antonio (July 18, 2022). "USC beats Ohio State, Wisconsin for top-100 LB Tackett Curtis". The Athletic.
  9. ^ Nhi Nguyen, Thuc (August 31, 2023). "USC's 'Captain America' Tackett Curtis pushing to improve after realizing his dream". Los Angeles Times.
  10. ^ Postins, Matthew (January 9, 2024). "Former USC Trojans Linebacker Commits To Badgers". Sports Illustrated.
  11. ^ James, Donovan (December 21, 2023). "Power Five teams are eyeing USC transfer Tackett Curtis in the portal". USA Today.
  12. ^ Domangue, Dylan (December 18, 2023). "Former Many Tiger, current USC LB Tackett Curtis enters name in transfer portal". KALB-TV.
  13. ^ Al-Khateeb, Zac (January 9, 2024). "Tackett Curtis transfer: Wisconsin football lands top available LB in portal out of USC". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
  14. ^ Temple, Jesse (January 9, 2024). "Wisconsin's recruiting work pays off with Tackett Curtis addition in transfer portal". The Athletic.