Wisconsin, Iowa recruits highlight 2025 Elite 11 football team

A pair of future Wisconsin Badgers, an Iowa Hawkeye and the state's top quarterback headline the Elite 11 senior football players for the 2025 season.

Appleton North's Ben Wenzel is the state's top linebacker and is heading to Madison next fall along with Bay Port offensive lineman Aiden Dirksen. West De Pere's Patrick Greisen threw 49 touchdown passes last season for the Phantoms and is the top-ranked quarterback. Winneconne's Brody Schaffer, a versatile athlete who plays quarterback for the Wolves, is an Iowa commit.

Kimberly's Eli Janssen, Appleton East's Todd Marx, Bay Port's Brady Moon, Menasha's Elijah Phillips, Xavier's Matthew Potter, Kaukauna's Aiden Reardon and Winneconne's Hudson Samolinski round out the Fox Valley's top senior players.

AIDEN DIRKSEN 

Bay Port, offensive/defensive line 

Height, weight: 6-7, 290 

Family: Father, Matt; siblings, Brooke (15), Dane (12) and Brady (9) 

Favorite movie: “The Lord of the Rings” 

Favorite TV show/streaming: “Breaking Bad” 

Favorite food: Sushi 

Favorite musical artist: Travis Scott 

Favorite school subject: Weightlifting

Favorite athlete: Rob Gronkowski 

Favorite vacation spot: Italy 

Why he’s on the team: The University of Wisconsin recruit was second-team all-FRCC North at offensive line. He's the No. 7-ranked senior lineman by WisSports.net. 

PATRICK GREISEN 

West De Pere, quarterback 

Height, weight: 6-3, 200 

Family: Parents, Chris and Shannon; siblings, Michaela (22), Hannah (19), Andrew (15), Catherine (10) and Margaret (8)

Favorite movie: “Rudy” 

Favorite food: Shrimp scampi 

Favorite musical artist: Lil’ Baby 

Favorite school subject: English 

Favorite athlete: Jalen Hurts 

Favorite vacation spot: Turks and Caicos 

Why he’s on the team: The South Dakota commit is the top-ranked senior quarterback by WisSports.net. Unanimous first-team all-FRCC North and the league’s player of the year. Led the state last season with 49 touchdown passes and threw for 3,846 yards. 

ELI JANSSEN 

Kimberly, defensive end/tight end 

Height, weight: 6-3, 240 

Family: Mother, Ashley Janssen 

Favorite movie: “The Incredibles” 

Favorite TV show/streaming: “Narcos” 

Favorite food: Steak 

Favorite musical artist: OT7 Quanny 

Favorite school subject: History 

Favorite athlete: Ray Lewis 

Favorite vacation spot: Mexico 

Why he’s on the team: The South Dakota State recruit is the top-ranked “Edge” defender by WisSports.net. Finished with 23 total tackles, including seven for loss, with three sacks and a forced fumble. Second-team all-FVA pick. 

TODD MARX 

Appleton East, offensive line 

Height, weight: 6-3, 285 

Family: Parents, Ryan and Kathy; brothers, Joe (23) and Bobby (18) 

Favorite movie: “Remember the Titans” 

Favorite TV show/streaming: “Friday Night Lights” 

Favorite food: Tacos 

Favorite musical artist: Zach Bryan 

Favorite school subject: Science 

Favorite athlete: JJ Watt 

Favorite vacation spot: Mexico 

Why he’s on the team: Was a first-team all-FVA selection and has interest from Division I and Division II schools.

BRADY MOON 

Bay Port, running back/defensive back 

Height, weight: 5-8, 180 

Family: Parents, Josh and Andria; brother, Kellen (14) 

Favorite movie: “Star Wars” 

Favorite TV show/streaming: “Phineas and Ferb” 

Favorite food: Chicken 

Favorite musical artist: Drake 

Favorite school subject: Weightlifting or math 

Favorite athlete: Bryson DeChambeau 

Favorite vacation spot: Puerto Rico 

Why he’s on the team: First-team all-FRCC North at running back. Ranked No. 3 among top senior running backs by WisSports.net. Ran for 1,479 yards on 183 carries with 25 touchdowns. Also had 42 total tackles with an interception at defensive back.   

ELIJAH PHILLIPS 

Menasha, defensive line 

Height, weight: 5-11, 225 

Family: Parents, Justin and Kiona Schultz 

Favorite movie: “The Batman” 

Favorite TV show/streaming: “Blue Mountain State” 

Favorite food: Chow mein 

Favorite musical artist: OsamaSon 

Favorite athlete: Charles Oliveira 

Favorite vacation spot: Cancun 

Why he’s on the team: Unanimous first-team all-FRCC South. Had 67 total tackles, with 19 for loss and nine sacks. Ranked No. 11 among senior defensive linemen by WisSports.net.   

MATTHEW POTTER 

Xavier, quarterback/running back, safety 

Height, weight: 5-11, 185 

Family: Parents, Tom and Jen; sister, Mariah 

Favorite movie: “The Hangover” 

Favorite TV show/streaming: “Friends” 

Favorite food: Chipotle bowls 

Favorite musical artist: Drake 

Favorite school subject: Math 

Favorite athlete: Kyle Hamilton 

Favorite vacation spot: Gulf Shores 

Why he’s on the team: Unanimous first-team all-Bay Conference. Had 673 yards passing with six touchdowns, along with 1,402 yards rushing on 255 carries and 19 touchdowns. 

AIDEN REARDON 

Kaukauna, running back 

Height, weight: 5-10, 186 

Family: Parents, Ryan and Kim; siblings, Thomas (21) and Haley (14); pet dog, Ruby

Favorite movie: “Interstellar” 

Favorite TV show/streaming: “Breaking Bad” 

Favorite food: Steak 

Favorite musical artist: The Weeknd 

Favorite school subject: Math 

Favorite athlete: Bijan Robinson 

Favorite vacation spot: Punta Cana 

Why he’s on the team: First-team all-Fox Valley Association at running back. Ran for 1,451 yards on 247 carries with 15 touchdowns and caught six passes for 71 yards and a score. Ranked No. 14 among senior running backs by WisSports.net. 

HUDSON SAMOLINSKI 

Winneconne, offensive/defensive line 

Height, weight: 6-3, 280 

Family: Parents, Ben and Sarah; sister, Avery (15); brother, Parker (13); pet dog, Loki 

Favorite movie: “Cars 2” or “Gladiator” 

Favorite TV show/streaming: “Arrow” 

Favorite food: Chicken Alfredo 

Favorite musical artist: Don Toliver 

Favorite school subject: Lunch 

Favorite athlete: Dexter Lawrence II 

Favorite vacation spot: Alaska 

Why he’s on the team: The Illinois State University commit was unanimous first-team all-Bay Conference at offensive and defensive line. Finished with 73 total tackles, including 13 for loss, with two sacks and a blocked kick. Ranked No. 4 senior defensive lineman by WisSports.net.   

BRODY SCHAFFER 

Winneconne, quarterback/safety 

Height, weight: 6-1, 190 

Family: Parents, Derek and Carrie; sister, Izzy (19); pets, Ollie and Jordy 

Favorite movie: “Transformers” 

Favorite TV show/streaming: “Johnny Football” 

Favorite musical artist: Gunna 

Favorite school subject: Lunch 

Favorite athlete: Bryce Young 

Favorite vacation spot: Florida 

Why he’s on the team: The Iowa recruit was Bay Conference offensive player of the year, back of the year and unanimous first-team all-conference at quarterback and defensive back. He was also the league's defensive back of the year. Ranked the No. 3 senior quarterback by WisSports.net. Had 1,800 yards passing with 17 touchdowns. Rushed for 1,774 yards on 184 carries with 31 touchdowns.    

BEN WENZEL 

Appleton North, linebacker/tight end 

Height, weight: 6-3, 220 

Family: Parents, Alex and Kristin; sister, Julia; pet dogs, Charlie and Dolly

Favorite movie: “Step Brothers” 

Favorite food: Philly Cheesesteak 

Favorite artist: Drake 

Favorite school subject: Chemistry 

Favorite athlete: Fred Werner 

Favorite vacation spot: Florida 

Why he’s on the team: The University of Wisconsin commit was first-team all-FVA at linebacker. Finished with 83 total tackles and two forced fumbles. Ranked No. 1 among senior linebackers by WisSports.net. 

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: High school football: Meet the 2025 Elite 11 top senior players