The Badgers have a lot to sort out at outside linebacker and safety.
The Wisconsin Badgers have finished up their third (and likely final) weekend of official visits, bringing in their last major group of targets as they look to close on more players in the 2026 class.
There’s been a lot of movement with the group overall, as the Badgers have gotten some major commitments, while missing out on a few others.
So, let’s break down the current state of the 2026 class, looking at who’s committed, off the board, and still on the board. We started with the offense. Now, let’s look at the defensive side of the ball.
Defensive Line
Commit(s): Arthur Scott, Djidjou Bah
Off the board: King Liggins
The Badgers had an early official visit with three-star Illinois defensive tackle King Liggins, a longtime target. However, he popped to the in-state Illini.
They got targets Arthur Scott and Djidjou Bah to campus for the first weekend of official visits, and both committed, closing out the group.
Outside Linebacker
Commit(s): N/A
On the board: Jackson Ford, Ben Duncum
Off the board: McHale Blade
Wisconsin looked to shoot big here with some lofty targets, including four-stars McHale Blade and Jackson Ford.
Blade is off the board to Michigan, while Ford has some massive competition. It feels the Badgers are currently behind Penn State, Ohio State, and Michigan, with Kentucky in the mix as well.
Duncum was a visitor this weekend, and he seems like the most realistic target at the moment. Kansas State, Oklahoma State, and Kentucky are the top competition there. But, there are a number of looming schools, so this one is a recruitment to watch. Wisconsin would ideally like two outside linebackers in the class. I have a feeling this group will extend out to the fall.
Linebacker
Commit(s): Aden Reeder, Ben Wenzel
Aden Reeder and Ben Wenzel were the team’s top targets heading into official visits, and Wisconsin got them both committed after their official visits.
After missing out on other linebackers like Mason Marden, the Badgers are set at the position here with their two commits.
Cornerback
Commit(s): Carsen Eloms
On the board: Jamyan Theodore
Carsen Eloms has been committed since the spring, and Jamyan Theodore is Wisconsin’s top target at cornerback during official visits.
He was on campus during the weekend of June 6th, and then visited the in-state Tennessee Volunteers this past weekend. He’s also visited Kentucky and has an official visit to Louisville still waiting.
It’s notable that the Badgers are the top out-of-region school for Theodore. Will that be enough?
Safety
Commit(s): Zachary Taylor
On the board: Nick Reddish, Chase Geter, Jowell Combay, Tony Forney
Off the board: Messiah Tilson
Safety and wide receiver are the most loaded positions in the class for the Badgers in terms of official visitors.
They got a commitment from Texas three-star Zachary Taylor after his official visit this weekend, and it’s notable that he could even project to cornerback with his top-tier athleticism.
But, the Badgers have quite a few players they’re targeting at the position. The only one off the board is Messiah Tilson, who recently committed to Kentucky. He had an early official visit with the Badgers.
Reddish’s top competition is Notre Dame and Virginia Tech, and that race feels tight. Geter just visited Syracuse and has a visit to Virginia remaining. Combay and Forney both just visited Wisconsin.
So, there’s still a lot to unpack, and Wisconsin can wait and see how their board turns out now after they landed Taylor.