Recruitment starting to heat up for versatile athlete Peter MacCudden

Versatility has been a part of Peter MacCudden’s game since he began playing football.

That ability is starting to be recognized by more coaches than just those from opposing Classic 8 Conference schools. College staffs from across the Midwest are now beginning to show serious interest in the senior from Waukesha West High School.

“I have been playing both sides of the ball my whole high school career," MacCudden told WisconsinHigh.com. "It's definitely one of the nice things because I get to have some versatility in the recruiting process as well, because I'm not just a running back - I can be a defensive back, a slot receiver.

“Growing up in a smaller town - not the biggest school - so the fact that I had to play both sides of the ball, I'm glad that was the case. It's really nice to have that availability to be put wherever they want and to just be an athlete and play the game. It's something I'm really happy that I'm able to have the chance to do at my high school, to be able to showcase myself on both sides of the ball for the next level.”

MacCudden, a 5-foot-9, 186-pound athlete who has an offer from Ohio, has been receiving interest from multiple schools, some of which could be close to offering.

“Well I have been talking to Iowa a lot with coach (Tim) Polasek from there. I'm really interested in them," MacCudden said. "North Dakota State and North Dakota have been talking to me a lot they are really interested. I think they are right on the fence with possibly sending an offer, so we are getting really excited about that. NIU is starting to get pretty hot and they are talking to me a little bit more. Then Kent State as well.”

The senior, who rushed for 2,040 yards and 23 touchdowns last fall, is beginning to favor one school in particular that has been showing more interest recently.

“I am really interested in Iowa; they are probably closer to the top of the list. I would definitely consider taking an official to Iowa just because I love it so much there,” MacCudden said. “I would just like to be able to keep being around there and seeing what it is all about. Being able to see it more and more is definitely something I would like to be able to do.”

That does not mean the Wisconsin native is not interested in the home-state Badgers. The communication between the two has picked up in recent weeks after an impressive camp performance in front of the coaches.

“I did really well at their (Wisconsin) camp, I know they had one or two camps left after the one I went to so they said they were really pleased with how I did," MacCudden, whose older brother, Kevin, played fullback briefly for the Badgers, said. "We are going to see in the next week or so once we get in contact with them what will happen. I really like Wisconsin. Definitely as a Wisconsin kid growing up you always love the Badgers and can never get enough of them.”

MacCudden, a WFCA all-state honorable mention selection in 2016, wants to continue to improve on both sides of the ball to make himself an even more versatile weapon on the field.

“The one thing I would like to improve on the defensive side of the ball is working on my footwork and being able to cover guys," MacCudden said. "Last year I played inside linebacker and I played safety my freshman and sophomore year, so just being able to get back and really perfecting the footwork part of defensive back because that is so important when guys get faster and faster.

“On the offensive side of the ball to be able to pass block more. So being able to improve my pass blocking because at the Madison camp I did really well. And just being able to continue to use that as an advantage and not just taking a play off.”

MacCudden would like to be able to finish his senior year differently than how two of his past high school seasons ended. Twice reaching the WIAA Division 2 state championship game, the senior would like his fortunes to change this time around.

“Obviously as a team goal to win a state championship," he said. "I have been there twice but we have lost both times, which kind of sucks. So being able to get back there again and finishing it out would be way beyond any type of personal accolades I could wish for. If we could do that then that would be a perfect complete season.”