There’s a lot moving around Wisconsin football right now, and the week has touched every corner of the program - the current roster, a major recruiting target, and a couple of former Badgers making noise on Sundays.
The most immediate storyline comes from the injury report ahead of Wisconsin’s game against Penn State. Under the Big Ten’s new setup, teams have to be more consistent during the week with injury designations, using out, questionable, and probable.
Wisconsin landed with 13 players on its report, including four listed as probable and five as questionable. Among the questionable group are Abu Sama III, Malachi Coleman, and Emerson Mandell.
Four Badgers are listed as out: Cai Bates, Jaylon Domingeaux, Michael Roeske, and Xavier Ukponu.
Penn State’s list is even longer at 16 total players, and the Nittany Lions already have nine players marked out. That group includes star wide receiver Koby Howard, a significant absence Wisconsin will be hoping to take advantage of.
On the recruiting side, Wisconsin is making a real run at Jalanie George, a five-star edge rusher from Arizona who appears close to a decision. George has narrowed things to Wisconsin, Washington, Miami, and Auburn.
Washington is viewed as the favorite, but Wisconsin has clearly put itself in the mix after making a strong impression during a recent game-day visit. Auburn also remains in the conversation after hosting him most recently.
George attends the same high school as 2027 commits Nathan Jones and Yahzeen Zion, and Wisconsin’s pitch appears to have landed. He liked what he saw from Sebastian Cheeks and the Wisconsin defense, and he plans to announce his choice on October 1.
Then there’s TJ Watt, who is off to a scorching start in the NFL. The former Badger was named defensive player of the week in both Week 1 and Week 2 and has been everywhere for the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. Through two games, he has 3.5 sacks, an interception returned for a touchdown, and eight total tackles.
PFF has Watt graded as the top defensive edge player in the league through two weeks at 91.3. Right behind him is Nick Herbig, another former Wisconsin standout who has also opened the season in strong form.
And for those looking ahead to kickoff, Wisconsin’s game day guide has the basics covered for the matchup with Penn State. The odds have moved around this week, but have mostly sat at Penn State by 9.5 points. The game will be on Peacock, and both teams are looking to open Big Ten play with a win.
In Other News...
Wisconsin Suddenly Has A Chance At A Recruiting Stunner Under Fickell
A major recruiting opening has quietly surfaced for Wisconsin, and it centers on five-star edge rusher Jalanie George. The top 2028 prospect has trimmed his list to Wisconsin, Washington, Auburn and Miami, and several recruiting analysts now view the Badgers as one of the strongest contenders after Georges recent visit and the connections he has built with current players and staff.
For a program trying to keep raising its ceiling under Luke Fickell, getting into that kind of conversation matters almost as much as the final decision. Nothing is settled yet, and the picture can still shift in a hurry, but Wisconsin has put itself in position for a result that would stand out even in a strong recruiting cycle. [Read more 🡒]
Wisconsin Has A Left Tackle Concern At The Worst Time
Wisconsins offensive line has settled in well enough to give the offense a real chance to breathe, and that matters with league play approaching. Through the first three games, the group has looked more connected in pass protection and has kept the quarterback relatively clean, with just two sacks allowed, while several linemen have drawn praise for steady play and better cohesion.
The one uneasy spot has been on the edge, where PJ Wilkins has had a harder time holding up in pass protection and has surrendered multiple pressures. The staff has already acknowledged the issue, and if the problems continue, there is a backup option in Lucas Simmons-Johansson who could see more work, which makes left tackle a position worth watching closely at exactly the wrong time for the Badgers. [Read more 🡒]
Wisconsin Suddenly Has A Real Shot At A Massive Recruiting Win
Wisconsins 2027 recruiting push has taken on real momentum, with the Badgers now sitting at 23 commitments and building a class that includes several of the states best prospects along with important adds from Arizona. For a program that has made in-state talent a priority while also looking beyond its borders for impact players, the group has started to look less like a promising haul and more like one that could reshape the conversation around the class.
The next big swing comes from Desert Edge High School edge rusher Jalanie George, a five-star talent whose decision is expected on October 1. Recruiting analysts have recently moved their projections toward Wisconsin over Washington, which is a notable shift for a prospect of that caliber and one the Badgers would gladly celebrate. Even with the class already growing, landing George would be the kind of headliner that changes how the rest of the country views what Wisconsin is building. [Read more 🡒]