Wisconsin football offers talented in-state class of 2026 linebacker
Wisconsin football extended an offer to three-star class of 2026 linebacker Ben Wenzel on Tuesday.
The 6-foot-3 linebacker is 247Sports' No. 100-ranked linebacker and No. 7 recruit from his home state of Wisconsin for the class of 2026. A product of Appleton North High School in Appleton, Wisconsin, Wenzel has now received nearly 20 offers, including from Wyoming, Kansas, Oklahoma and Michigan State, per 247Sports.
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Wenzel is slated to take an official visit to Madison on May 30, per Rivals. He will also head to Norman, Oklahoma, for an official visit with the Sooners in late June.
The Sooners boasted several Rivals FutureCasts to land the linebacker before Wisconsin joined his offer sheet, all of which came on May 14. After that offer, Wisconsin insider Jon McNamara released a FutureCast pegging the Badgers as a new favorite.
The same applies to 247Sports' coverage. Wisconsin insider Evan Flood and the 247Sports staff released crystal balls with a 'medium confidence level' for Wenzel to choose the Badgers.
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So, following UW's recruiting push, the rising senior's collegiate decision has now emerged into a two-program race between the Sooners and Badgers. The linebacker's in-state ties to Appleton could certainly play a significant factor in his decision, and UW's recruiting insiders appear to believe the same.
In 10 games with Appleton North during the 2024 slate, Wenzel tallied 83 total tackles, 1.0 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. The room for growth is present, but the defensive talent is undeniable. Wisconsin's class of 2026 currently has one linebacker committed -- three-star Aden Reeder.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin Badgers Football Offer 2026 Linebacker Ben Wenzel
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