Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Hope College

Scoreboard

#BeStrongBeTrue
Liam Danitz points toward the camera.
Junebug Photography
Pictured, Liam Danitz

Football Alan Babbitt

Football's Liam Danitz Carrying Hope College with Him to Unexpected Opportunity with the Wisconsin Badgers

The All-American defensive end has committed to play at the Big Ten level

No matter where football takes him, Liam Danitz will take Hope College and the people here with him.

A recent whirlwind trip as a star of college football's transfer portal brought the football and track NCAA Division III All-American a bonus season at the FBS level as an outside linebacker for the University of Wisconsin. He will be a dual-enrolled student, completing his studies at Hope while beginning work on a master's degree.

Before departing for Madison, Wisconsin, last weekend, Danitz expressed gratitude for all the support he has received from the Hope campus, including the Flying Dutchmen coaching staff led by head coach Peter Stuursma.

"The whole coaching staff has been great during this whole process," Danitz said during a halftime interview on the Anchor Network during Saturday's men's basketball game vs. Alma College. "They're all getting calls from schools asking, 'How is this kid doing? Is he a good dude? How is he as an athlete?' They've been super supportive. Stuursma's had my back the whole time."

His brothers on the football team did, too, Danitz said.

"When I got to campus, all my [Hope] teammates were so happy for me," Danitz told national recruiting expert Allen Trieu for a 247sports article. "I'm so appreciative of that. I'm a big team guy, so my boys supporting me and reposting everything means a lot. Everywhere I go, people are offering their congrats."

First reported by Trieu earlier this month, Danitz's entry into the transfer portal immediately drew nationwide attention. He heard from nearly 100 programs and made official visits to UCLA and others before signing with Wisconsin.
 

Holland, Michigan to Madison, Wisconsin

It was an unexpected opportunity. Danitz planned to run track again this semester for the Flying Dutchmen and graduate in May with a degree in exercise science before a friend encouraged him to enter the transfer portal.

This fall, Danitz claimed All-America honors from both the American Football Coaches Association and the Associated Press. He helped the Flying Dutchmen make back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time in program history.

Danitz set career highs this season in sacks (16), tackles for loss (21), solo tackles (25) and total tackles (46). He was named the MIAA's Most Valuable Defensive Player and co-headlined the All-MIAA Team.

It is quite the ascension for a West Branch, Michigan, native and Ogemaw Heights High School graduate, who four years earlier was recruited only in the state of Michigan by Stuursma.

"Coach Stuursma is one of the most impactful people in my entire life," Danitz told Trieu for a 247sports.com article. "He's been supportive and helps us with the ups and downs, and every time I call, he makes time for me. I can't say enough good things about him and the Hope football staff. Yes, it's about football, but they make you a better man too, and that's the most important part."

Stuursma is thrilled to see Danitz earn this opportunity in the Big Ten, the conference that has produced the past three College Football Playoff national champions. Danitz has more room to grow as a football player, Stuursma told The Huge Show during a Jan. 12 radio interview.

"He has elite speed, 10.5 in the 100 and 20.9 in the 200. He's also 6-4 ½ and 200 pounds," Stuursma said. "Quite frankly, he's not done developing. We haven't had him for spring ball because of track. He can absolutely fly and that's just given some people some pause: 'What does this kid have left in him?'

"He's one of the best I've been around. He cares so much about his team, his teammates, his family, his mom, who's done an unbelievable job raising him."
 

National Praise

Danitz's commitment to the Badgers drew praise from fans and alumni, including Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive lineman Joe Thomas, who played for the Cleveland Browns.

"TRACK GUYS NEVER TURN OUT TO BE GOOD FOOTBALL PLAYERS … but holy smokes!" Thomas posted on his X account. "Just watched Liam's film, and unlike most track guys; he has wiggle and is a loose and fluid athlete! He's got an elite get-off! Needs to gain some weight but could be great!"

The Badgers have converted former Division III standouts into key contributors. Defensive back Matt Jung finished fifth on Wisconsin with 50 tackles as a redshirt senior after transferring from Division III Bethel University (Minnesota).

"There is a little bit of that Matt Jung, these guys can come from a different level, make the adjustments and changes, but I think, more than anything, there's a guy where there's a lot to be had there," Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell said during a Jan. 21 news conference. "He's played four years in college but never had an offseason. He ran track. There's a guy we know can run. He can rush the passer. He's not just a track guy. We think there's a guy here, put in our system, our program, with our ability to coach, gives us something we might not have."
 
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Liam Danitz

#0 Liam Danitz

DL
6' 5"
Senior
Exercise Science

Players Mentioned

Liam Danitz

#0 Liam Danitz

6' 5"
Senior
Exercise Science
DL