3-Star DL Braden Cassity on Badgers, Cowboys, rest of Top 4

SAN ANTONIO, Tex. -- Three-Star Austin, Texas, defensive end Braden Cassity was remarkably subdued after Westlake’s state quarterfinal win over Cibolo-Steele on Saturday - a stark contrast to the rambunctious personality he showed on the field during the game.

A big part of that was probably because his team’s championship aspirations are getting more serious, but so too is the attention that he’s been getting on the recruiting trail.

“This is a huge game for us,” he said. “We lost in Round 4 last year, so this was a big one. We’re glad be back - Westlake is really a playoff team and a second half team.”

Cassity’s two Power Five offers come in the form of grayshirt opportunities at Oklahoma State and Wisconsin, but that doesn’t deter him from keeping the Badgers and Cowboys on his shortlist of schools that he’ll choose from.

“I have a Top 4 right now,” he said. “That’s Tulane, Tulsa, Oklahoma State and Wisconsin. After the season I plan on taking official visits to all those schools.”

Also likely working in Oklahoma State and Wisconsin’s favor is what he said the biggest criteria is in his thought process.

“One of the most important things for me is going to a school that has great outdoors,” he said. “I love hunting, I love fishing and that’s huge for me. I’m looking for a place that I am going to feel like I fit in - I don’t want to go to a school that doesn’t really fit my personality.”

Cassity seems prepared to take his time with his decision. Last week, Tulane coaches came for an in-home visit, he met with Wisconsin coaches on Tuesday, and later this week he’ll spend some time with the Cowboys staff. After that, things come down to what he can see when he’s the one making the rounds.

“I do want to take my official visits,” he said. “I don’t want to sign until February. Hopefully we go deeper into the playoffs, but if that’s not the case, I’ll try and take some of those officials earlier.”

Grayshirting seems to be a sensible decision for Cassity, should he choose the Badgers or Cowboys. He’s built well enough to be a very strong player at the high school level, considering the type of energy he plays with. However, it would benefit him to have a little extra time to continue to bulk up a bit physically.

Cassity’s teammate and running back Nakia Watson has been committed to the Badgers since the summer, so the added influence also works in Wisconsin’s favor.