What are the Badgers needs in the 2026 recruiting class?
The Wisconsin Badgers have been one of the busiest teams this offseason, as they’ve seen a mass exodus via the transfer portal, while moving quickly to add pieces as well as sign their 2025 recruiting class.
But, with the 2025 cycle essentially done for Wisconsin, let’s take an early look ahead to the 2026 recruiting class, seeing what needs the Badgers may have given their current roster construction.
Here’s our way-too-early look into the Badgers 2026 recruiting class, starting on offense.
Quarterback
2025 room: Billy Edwards Jr. (senior), Danny O’Neil (sophomore), Carter Smith (freshman)
With the departure of the entire 2024 quarterback room, Wisconsin has just three scholarship quarterbacks at the moment.
They’ll almost certainly add a fourth option this offseason, although it’s unclear what caliber player they’ll be able to land, given the pieces already in place.
Regardless, assuming that next quarterback isn’t a senior, the Badgers will be back to three scholarship quarterbacks heading into the 2026 season, so it’s a possibility that Wisconsin will take two players in 2026.
The Badgers haven’t taken two scholarship quarterbacks since 2017 and were going to break that this year, but three-star Landyn Locke requested a release from his National Letter of Intent.
Getting two quarterbacks would get the Badgers back to their coveted number of five scholarship quarterbacks in the room for 2026.
Running Back
2025 room: Jackson Acker (senior), Cade Yacamelli (junior), Darrion Dupree (sophomore), Dilin Jones (freshman), Gideon Ituka (freshman)
After having eight scholarship running backs to start the 2024 season, the Badgers are down to five after not taking a single back in their 2025 recruiting class, while yet having to make an addition via the transfer portal this offseason.
They’ll be down to four once Jackson Acker departs next offseason, and that’s assuming that the entirety of the room stays intact, which is never a sure thing in today’s world.
I’d expect the Badgers to target multiple running backs in the 2026 class, and they’ve already got their big board started with a number of key targets.
Wisconsin’s new system with offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes is more running back-friendly, so that should hopefully keep recruiting going at a high level at the position in the 2026 cycle.
Wide Receiver
2025 room: Jayden Ballard (senior), Joe Griffin Jr. (senior), Vinny Anthony (senior), Tyrell Henry (senior), Quincy Burroughs (junior), Chris Brooks Jr. (junior), Mark Hamper (sophomore), Trech Kekahuna (sophomore), Kyan Berry-Johnson (freshman), Eugene Hilton (freshman)
Wisconsin re-loaded at wide receiver in the transfer portal with Jayden Ballard and Mark Hamper, adding both veteran experience and young talent in the room to get their group to 10 scholarship players heading into 2025.
Four seniors will depart after the year, while some level of movement is always expected at the position.
Losing four-star slot receiver hurt the Badgers near the end of the 2025 cycle, so they’ll likely target another slot weapon in the 2026 class, while going for two outside receivers as well. A group of three wideouts in their next freshman class makes sense, given their current numbers situation, while the transfer portal can help with the rest.
Tight End
2025 room: Tanner Koziol (senior), Tucker Ashcraft (junior), JT Seagraves (junior), Jackson McGohan (junior), Rob Booker (freshman), Grant Stec (freshman), Emmett Bork (freshman), Nizyi Davis (freshman)
The Badgers have gotten two tight ends in each of their last two recruiting classes, and landed a major impact player when Tanner Koziol committed this offseason.
The new offense is more tight end friendly with heavier packages, but I expect Wisconsin to keep shooting darts at the position with the hopes of getting more productive play that we’re used to seeing from Badgers tight ends.
There aren’t really many losses next offseason, as there wasn’t this offseason, with only one senior leaving, but players could start to look elsewhere for playing time if they don’t get it in 2025.
Regardless, this seems like another room where Wisconsin could end up targeting two more bodies in their 2026 class.
Offensive Line
2025 room: Jake Renfro (senior), Riley Mahlman (senior), JP Benzschawel (senior), Joe Brunner (junior), Barrett Nelson (junior), Leyton Nelson (junior), Kevin Heywood (sophomore), Emerson Mandell (freshman), Ryan Cory (freshman), Derek Jensen (freshman), Colin Cubberly (freshman), Michael Roeske (freshman), Nolan Davenport (freshman), Cam Clark (freshman), Logan Powell (freshman), Hardy Watts (freshman)
The Badgers are currently projected to have a whopping 17 scholarship offensive linemen, which is far different than their situation last spring ball where they were scrounging to find extra bodies.
They’ve put together consecutive five-linemen classes, while not getting any significant transfer portal entries, setting the board up well for the future.
I don’t expect another five-linemen class in 2026 after the amount of talent brought in over the last two cycles.
Instead, three linemen sounds more realistic in 2026, which may mean spots come more at a premium. Wisconsin already has a commitment from three-star tackle Benjamin Novak, but could be more selective with their remaining commits to get the best class possible.