Badgers Hit the Road to Prioritize 2027 Edge Rushers Isaac Miller and Keysan Taylor
Wisconsin’s recruiting efforts for the 2027 class are already in full swing, and this week, outside linebackers and special teams coach Matt Mitchell made it clear who’s sitting near the top of the Badgers’ defensive wish list.
Mitchell was on the move, making key in-home visits with two rising edge rushers: Isaac Miller out of Waukesha, Wisconsin, and Keysan Taylor from Rockford, Illinois. Both are three-star prospects in the early rankings, but don’t let the stars fool you-these are high-ceiling defenders who are already drawing serious national attention.
Isaac Miller: In-State Priority with National Attention
Let’s start with Miller, a standout at Catholic Memorial in Waukesha. He currently ranks as the No. 586 overall recruit in the 2027 class, the 45th edge rusher, and the sixth-best player in a loaded in-state group. The Badgers have been in contact with Miller since 2024, and he’s become a familiar name around the program-a player they’ve clearly identified as a must-keep within state lines.
Miller’s recruitment, however, is heating up fast. Programs like Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Miami, Michigan, Ohio State, Ole Miss, and Tennessee have all extended offers.
That’s a who’s who of Power Five programs, and it speaks to the kind of upside evaluators are seeing in Miller’s game. He’s long, athletic, and disruptive off the edge-traits that translate well at the next level.
Wisconsin is in for a battle here. Florida has been especially aggressive in pursuing Miller, setting the stage for what could become a tightly contested recruitment between the Badgers and Gators. Still, Wisconsin’s early and consistent involvement gives them a fighting chance, especially with their strong in-state presence.
It’s worth noting that the Badgers have already landed a big-time 2027 commitment in four-star tight end Korz Loken, and they’re continuing to build momentum with other in-state targets like three-star offensive tackle Ethan McIntosh (already committed), four-star tackle Cole Reiter, and three-star athlete Kingston Allen. Miller fits right into that core group Wisconsin is hoping to keep close to home.
Keysan Taylor: Illinois Pipeline in Progress
Over in Rockford, Mitchell made another important stop-this time at the home of Keysan Taylor, a rising edge rusher out of Guilford High School. Taylor is currently ranked No. 370 nationally and the No. 30 edge rusher in the 2027 class. He’s also the 11th-ranked player in Illinois, despite playing at a smaller school-something that hasn’t stopped top programs from taking notice.
Wisconsin offered Taylor back in June 2025 during a camp visit, which essentially jumpstarted his recruitment. Since then, the list of programs chasing him has grown significantly.
Indiana, Miami, Vanderbilt, Iowa State, Kentucky, Michigan, Tennessee, and Penn State have all joined the mix. The Nittany Lions were the most recent to offer, continuing a trend of Big Ten programs circling in on the talented pass rusher.
Taylor hasn’t narrowed down his list just yet, but Wisconsin’s early involvement and continued communication could pay off down the road. The Badgers are working hard to establish a stronger recruiting pipeline in Illinois-a state that’s produced plenty of talent over the years-and Taylor is a key piece in that strategy.
What’s Next?
Both Miller and Taylor represent long-term recruiting battles for Wisconsin, but they’re the kind of prospects you stay in the fight for. Miller is the in-state anchor you don’t want to see leave, while Taylor is the out-of-state disruptor who could become a foundational piece if the Badgers can successfully pull him across the border.
Coach Mitchell’s visits this week weren’t just check-ins-they were statements. Wisconsin’s staff is putting in the groundwork now to build a 2027 class that can hold its own against the best in the Big Ten. And if they can land even one of these two edge rushers, it’ll go a long way toward shaping the future of the Badgers’ defense.