Wisconsin football's recruiting class of 2026 dips outside the nation's top 50
The Wisconsin Badgers have hit a cold spell on the class of 2026 recruiting trail. After a strong start to the month, especially after the May 30 official visit weekend, the program has landed just two players since June 5, plus none in the last 10 days.
The Badgers' class ranked No. 33 in the nation and No. 11 in the Big Ten at the time of Zion Legree's addition on June 15. Since that date, the class has dropped to No. 51 in the nation and No. 16 in the conference, now ranked ahead of only Maryland and Nebraska.
Several of the Badgers' top targets remain uncommitted, including four-star athlete Jackson Ford, four-star running back Amari Latimer, four-star wide receiver Jayden Petit, four-star offensive tackle Kamari Blair and three-star safety Nick Reddish. All five of those players were on campus during the Badgers' key May 30 official visit weekend, though each has taken several notable visits since that date.
It's safe to say commitments from several of those top recruits is paramount to Wisconsin salvaging a successful cycle.
Of course, the 2026 cycle is still far from over, which means time remains before a final verdict is given on the program's efforts. But with June coming to a close, it's hard not to compare this group to the program's previous two classes under Luke Fickell.
Without commitments from Ford, Latimer, Petit and Blair, the Badgers' 2026 group won't threaten those strong classes from 2024 and 2025.
It's challenging to pinpoint the exact reason for the program's subpar standing in this year's cycle. However, it's easy to point to the program's general on-field struggles and the February departure of general manager Max Stienecker as contributing forces.
Badgers fans should tune in on Friday, June 27, as the first of Wisconsin's remaining top targets announces his commitment.
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