20-07-2025
Wisconsin football secures commitment from top-ranked four-star 2026 wide receiver
Wisconsin football secured a commitment from top-ranked class of 2026 wide receiver Jayden Petit on Thursday.
Petit, a coveted four-star pass-catcher, immediately becomes the highest-rated recruit to commit to Luke Fickell's class of 2026 cohort. The 6-foot-4, 195-pound wide receiver chose the Badgers over opportunities with the Oklahoma Sooners, North Carolina Tar Heels, Missouri Tigers and Tennessee Volunteers.
The Naples, Florida, product officially visited Madison the weekend of May 30 before returning to Wisconsin for another visit early last week. Petit also committed to Fickell's program despite official visits with the Sooners and Tar Heels on June 6 and 13, respectively, in addition to another official visit with Missouri on June 20.
247Sports lists Petit as the No. 209 player in the class of 2026, No. 31 wide receiver and No. 30 recruit from the state of Florida. During his senior year at First Baptist Academy, he logged 50 receptions for 777 yards and 12 scores, highlighted by a 146-yard, three-touchdown performance on Oct. 18.
Here's 247Sports' Director of Scouring Andrew Ivins' scouting report of Wisconsin's newest class of 2026 commit:
"Big-framed wide receiver that can win on the perimeter with his suddenness, coordination and bounce... Attacks leverage with his initial burst and does an admirable job of sinking his hips at the top of routes to break off defensive backs before driving back towards the football. Likes to mix speeds as he works his way up or across the field. Spirited after the catch as he has flashed the ability to make the first defender miss while facing a lower level of competition in the Sunshine State and will put the effort in as a move blocker on the outside. Already pushing 200 pounds, but doesn't appear to be maxed out and could undergo a further physical maturation once he's done with basketball. Might not be the fastest target and must keep perfecting his craft, but has the size, athleticism and ball skills to emerge as a trusted option at the Power Four level in a balanced offense that relies on timing."
Wisconsin's class of 2026 now rises to No. 44 in the nation following Petit's commitment. The 14-man class also includes three-star wide receiver prospects Tayshon Bardo and Zion Legree.
Petit's decision marks UW's first commitment since June 15. Fickell and company will now hone in on securing commitments from athlete Jackson Ford, running back Amari Latimer and offensive tackle Kamari Blair in the coming days. Regardless of what transpires, Petit is the first blue-chip to offer his pledge to UW for this cycle - a major win for Wisconsin's recruiting staff.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football recruiting Jayden Petit commitment
