Wisconsin football top class of 2026 target commits to a familiar Big Ten rival
Wisconsin football top class of 2026 target commits to a familiar Big Ten rival
Wisconsin top class of 2026 target, edge rusher McHale Blade, committed to the Michigan Wolverines on Monday. The Simeon High School prospect was one of the top players to visit the Badgers on May 30, but instead chose to continue his playing career at Michigan after visiting Ann Arbor on June 6.
247Sports ranks the four-star recruit as the No. 169 player in the class of 2026, the No. 21 defensive lineman and the No. 5 player from the state of Illinois. He joins a Michigan class of 2026 that currently ranks No. 40 nationally with eight players committed. Other top programs on his offer sheet include Notre Dame, USC, Georgia, Miami, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Texas A&M.
Blade headlined Wisconsin's May 30 official visit group, which also included four-star prospects running back Amari Latimer, wide receiver Jayden Petit, offensive tackle Kamari Blair and athlete Jackson Ford. While it's tough for Wisconsin to see a top target chose an in-conference rival, the Badgers have plenty of top targets making their commitment decisions in the coming weeks.
Wisconsin's class of 2026 currently ranks No. 36 nationally and No. 10 in the Big Ten with 11 players committed.
Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
The SEC reveals TV windows for Auburn football
The SEC reveals TV windows for Auburn football Mark your calendars! The SEC has officially revealed the TV windows for every Auburn game The football season is almost here, and it is time to begin planning for roadtrips to the Plains and beyond to watch the Auburn Tigers this fall. Weeks after major networks revealed the start times for Auburn's first three games of the season, the SEC has now released the television windows for the remaining nine games on Auburn's schedule to better prepare fans for the season. Auburn's start times are broken down into four categories: early (11 a.m. – noon CT), afternoon (2:30 – 3:30 p.m. CT), night (5 – 7 p.m. CT), and flex (2:30 – 3:30 p.m. CT or 5-7 p.m. CT). Several notable windows are its game with Georgia at home (night), Arkansas on the road (early), and the Iron Bowl against Alabama (flex). Auburn's SEC opener at Oklahoma gets the flex treatment on Sept. 20, with the following week at Texas A&M beginning in the afternoon window at Kyle Field. The Tigers' home opener at Georgia will be under the lights at Jordan-Hare Stadium, with two of their next three games against Missouri and Kentucky being labeled as "flex." The game in-between the Missouri Tigers and Kentucky Wildcats at Arkansas will be an early kick. The next two games, against Vanderbilt in Nashville, and Mercer at home, will kick in the afternoon. Auburn vs. Vanderbilt will begin in the afternoon time frame while the game against Mercer will begin at 1 p.m. CT and will air on SEC Network. Finally, the Iron Bowl at Jordan-Hare Stadium is flexed. However, as the trend has shown recently, fans can expect the game to kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT. The time and date for Auburn's first three games were revealed last month. Auburn will begin the season in Waco, Texas on Friday, Aug. 29 against the Baylor Bears at 7 p.m. CT on FOX. The next two games, against Ball State and South Alabama, respectively, will kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT and 11:45 a.m. CT. Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
HC Sean McVay confirms Steelers' Aaron Rodgers could have signed with Rams
HC Sean McVay confirms Steelers' Aaron Rodgers could have signed with Rams Early offseason Aaron Rodgers to the Rams rumors have begun to resurface — and HC Sean McVay set the record straight. On Wednesday, Good Morning Football's Kyle Brandt asked McVay to clarify what really happened between the Rams and Rodgers this offseason — and this was his response: "I think our first priority, which was consistently communicated, was let's work something out with Matthew [Stafford]. We were very fortunate that it worked out that way. If that wasn't able to occur, then [signing Rodgers] was definitely a conversation and a possibility for us," McVay admitted. "I have a ton of respect for his body of work. I've gotten to know Aaron and really enjoy the conversations — the approach and the way he thinks about the game and in life. So, that was a possibility, but our first priority was always to get Matthew back." Pittsburgh was considered a major favorite to land Stafford when trade speculation surrounding the Rams QB ran rampant — before he ultimately signed a massive extension to remain in Los Angeles. It's crazy to imagine that there exists a possibility where Rodgers potentially signed with the Rams — and the Steelers may have been able to land Stafford. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
UNC set to be on road for ACC/SEC Challenge
UNC set to be on road for ACC/SEC Challenge UNC is heading on the road to face off against Kentucky. Last season, the North Carolina Tar Heels played one of the toughest schedules in all of college basketball in their non-conference slate. And now, for the 2025-26 season, it looks like they will have a few blue blood programs on their slate. The Tar Heels are already scheduled to host Kansas in the final game of a home-and-home series but now we know they will also be in Lexington, Kentucky. Per Jon Rothstein, the Tar Heels will travel to face off against the Kentucky Wildcats as part of the ACC/SEC Challenge in 2025. This is the second-straight year the Tar Heels will be facing off against a preseason top 25 team in the challenge after they hosted Alabama in the Dean Dome a year ago. Kentucky is fresh off an impressive season under the first-year head coach Mark Pope. They should be one of the favorites in the SEC again this year. Here are the reported matchups for the event: There are some very intriguing matchups once again this year with Duke hosting the defending national champion Florida Gators. NC State will also head to Auburn to face off against Bruce Pearl and the Tigers. UNC's non-conference schedule is tough once again. In addition to Kansas, they will also play Michigan State and Ohio State out of the Big Ten. Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
