Wisconsin Locks In 14 Signees for 2026 Class, Eyes Development Over Rankings
MADISON - The early signing period is officially underway, and for Wisconsin football, it’s a foundational day - the first real step in shaping the future of the program. Fourteen recruits in the 2026 class have either signed their letters of intent or are expected to make it official, giving Luke Fickell and his staff a clearer picture of what’s coming next.
This year’s group draws talent from across the country, with nine different states represented. Tennessee leads the way with three signees, while Wisconsin, California, and Georgia each contribute two. The rest of the class is rounded out by players from Florida, Indiana, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Washington.
Positionally, it’s a balanced haul. The Badgers are bringing in three defensive linemen, two inside linebackers, two defensive backs, two running backs, two wide receivers, and one each at quarterback, offensive line, and tight end. It’s not a flashy group by national ranking standards, but there’s potential here - especially on the offensive side of the ball.
Rankings Take a Dip, But There’s Context
Compared to the past two cycles, this class sits a few rungs lower in the national rankings. In 2024, Wisconsin’s class was ranked 23rd by 247Sports and 22nd by Rivals.
The 2025 group came in at 27th on both platforms. This year?
Rivals has the Badgers at No. 47 nationally and 13th in the Big Ten. 247Sports is even less bullish, slotting Wisconsin at No. 67 overall and 16th in the conference.
But rankings don’t always tell the full story. For one, these numbers are fluid - they’ll shift as more players commit across the country and as analysts update evaluations. And second, Wisconsin’s staff has shown a knack for developing talent, particularly in the trenches and at linebacker, where star ratings often take a back seat to system fit and work ethic.
Still, the rankings are worth noting. Rivals’ No. 47 mark is the program’s lowest since 2023 - Fickell’s first class in Madison, which came together in a whirlwind just weeks after he was hired. That class, despite the late start, still managed to produce impact players.
Offensive Skill Talent Headlines the Class
If there’s a theme to this group, it’s the offensive upside. Running back Amari Latimer is one of the headliners - Rivals ranks him as the No. 19 back in the country, while 247Sports has him just a notch lower at No.
- He’s joined in the backfield by Qwantavius Wiggins, who checks in at No. 27 on 247’s list.
That’s a strong one-two punch for a program that has long prided itself on running the football.
Quarterback Ryan Hopkins brings added intrigue. Rivals ranks him as the No.
36 QB in the class, but 247Sports is much higher on him, listing him as the No. 4 quarterback nationally. That kind of disparity suggests he’s a bit of a wild card - a high-upside prospect who could rise quickly with the right development.
Up front, offensive lineman Brady Bekkenhuis brings size and versatility. A former Boston College commit, he’s ranked No. 40 among interior linemen by Rivals.
Wide receiver Zion Legree, listed as the No. 31 athlete in the country, adds another layer of flexibility to the offense. Whether he lines up outside, in the slot, or even sees action in the return game, he’s the kind of player who can be moved around to create mismatches.
Tight end Jack Sievers also cracks 247’s positional rankings at No. 41, giving the Badgers another big target to work with in the passing game.
Defensive Gems and a Local Standout
On the defensive side, the class includes three linemen and two inside linebackers, including one name that should resonate with fans in the state. Taylor Schaefer, a product of Southern Door High School in Brussels, Wis., is listed as the No. 2 inside linebacker among junior college recruits by 247Sports. His path to Madison wasn’t the traditional one, but he’s a physical, experienced presence who could contribute sooner rather than later.
The defensive backs and linemen in the class haven’t drawn as much national attention in the rankings, but Wisconsin has traditionally done well developing those positions. With the right coaching and time in the system, this group could follow that same trajectory.
Big Ten Landscape and What Comes Next
In the Big Ten rankings, Rivals slots Wisconsin at 13th, ahead of UCLA, Northwestern, Purdue, Nebraska, and Penn State. 247Sports is less generous, placing the Badgers 16th - ahead of only Nebraska and a Penn State program that’s been dealing with coaching uncertainty.
At the top of the Big Ten recruiting race, it’s the usual suspects: Ohio State, Oregon, and USC are leading the charge. But for Wisconsin, the focus isn’t on winning the offseason headlines - it’s about building a roster that fits Fickell’s vision. That means identifying talent that fits the scheme, the culture, and the long-term plan.
This class may not carry the same buzz as previous ones, but there’s a blueprint here. A quarterback with upside.
A pair of highly regarded running backs. A versatile athlete at receiver.
And a handful of players who may not be household names now, but could develop into key pieces down the road.
Signing day is just the beginning. The real work starts now.