Wisconsin missed out on both of its outside linebacker targets this week.
The Wisconsin Badgers were dealt a couple of blows this week, as both of their top outside linebacker targets committed elsewhere.
2026 four-star Jackson Ford committed to the Penn State Nittany Lions on Friday, staying in his hometown state. He chose Penn State over the Badgers, Ohio State Buckeyes, and Michigan Wolverines.
It was a tough draw for the Badgers here, despite getting the first official visit, as each of the top Big Ten teams were seriously pursuing the blue-chipper. Ultimately, the four-star ended up at Penn State, who has produced several NFL edge talents in recent years.
That wasn’t the only miss for Wisconsin, who also lost out on three-star Ben Duncum, who committed to Kentucky on Wednesday. Duncum picked the Wildcats over the Badgers, Oklahoma State Cowboys, and the Kansas State Wildcats.
Duncum was considered the most realistic outside linebacker for the Badgers this summer, as Wisconsin looked to swing big with Ford and four-star McHale Blade. Ultimately, they ended up with none of those targets.
Wisconsin currently doesn’t have an outside linebacker in its 2026 class after losing out on recruiting battles and seeing three-star Carmelow Reed to flip to Ole Miss. This could be a position to watch in the Fall as the Badgers get senior year evaluations leading up to National Signing Day.