Wisconsin High School Sports | Wisconsin Sports Network | WisSports.net

The WSN15 series will celebrate the 15th Anniversary of WisSports.net by looking back at the top players, teams, and moments of the past 15 years (2003-2017).

The Top 15 Players countdown is not a recruiting ranking and not indicative of what the players did after high school. It is a ranking of the top high school players, the impact they had for their team, and the dominance they displayed while in high school.

Waunakee has been one of the top programs of the last two decades, winning four state titles with a pair of runner-up finishes during the WSN Era (2003-2017). In that time, Warriors players have received a total of 27 WFCA First Team All-State selections. 

Few have had the kind of impact and success as 2012 graduate Leo Musso, however.

Musso was a complimentary back as a sophomore, rushing or 961 yards and 13 touchdowns as the Warriors captured their first state championship since 2002. 

The following season was his breakout, as he stepped into the featured role, going for 2,005 yards and 35 touchdowns on 248 carries, averaging 143 per game and 8.1 per carry. Musso would earn WFCA All-State recognition to go with Second Team AP honors as the Warriors claimed a second consecutive title.

As a senior in 2011, Musso became one of the few players in state history to go over 2,000 rushing yards in back-to-back seasons, finishing with 2,382 to go with 39 touchdowns, as he averaged 170 yards per game and 8.6 per carry. Waunakee would claim a third straight Division 2 state title, as he ran for 181 yards and 4 touchdowns in the dominating victory over Waterford.

Following his senior season, Musso would earn First Team All-State by the WFCA and AP, and take home the Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch Award from WSN.

A bit small in stature, Musso was a dynamic athlete, posting the highest SPARQ rating at the Nike Combine in Chicago prior to his senior year.

Musso was initially offered a preferred walk-on at Wisconsin, but after several scholarship offers came in, including one from Pittsburgh coach Paul Chryst, the Badgers ultimately offered a late scholarship, which Musso accepted a week before Signing Day.

Moved to safety at Wisconsin, Musso played in 52 games for the Badgers with 17 starts. As a senior he was a Third Team All-Conference choice and named the team MVP. Musso was a four-time Academic All-Conference selection.

#15 - J.J. Watt, Pewaukee
#14 - Jayme Wells, Kimberly
#13 - Travis Frederick, Big Foot
#12 - Travis Beckum, Oak Creek
#11 - Sam Santiago-Lloyd, Brookfield East
#10 - Garrett Groshek, Amherst
#9 - Leo Musso, Waunakee
#8 - Blair Mulholland, Kimberly
#7 - Gabe Carimi, Monona Grove
#6 - Ben Hempel, Franklin
#5 - Mike Newkirk, Ladysmith
#4 - Eric Brunner, Greendale
#3 - John Clay, Racine Park
#2 - Josh Oglesby, Saint Francis
#1 - Melvin Gordon, Kenosha Bradford

Others Considered

For the latest and most up to date football news and recruiting information, follow Travis on Twitter @travisWSN. Email story ideas, recruiting info, etc. to Travis at travis(at)wissports.net.