The Badgers have seen some hits and misses so far with their 2026 recruiting class.

 

It’s been quite a start to official visits for the Wisconsin Badgers, as they hit the ground running during their first weekend with five commitments.

 

But, things have stalled a bit since then, as a couple of targets have verbally pledged elsewhere, leaving Wisconsin in an interesting spot with certain position groups.

 

Wisconsin is now set at quarterback, tight end, and (likely?) running back on offense. But, there are questions at wide receiver and along the offensive line to fill the final spots there.

 

Defensively, the Badgers’ picture at outside linebacker, cornerback, and safety is an unknown at the moment, although the team is set at defensive line and inside linebacker.

 

They now have their third weekend of official visits coming up, where another group of important targets will head to campus, including prized four-star wide receiver Zion Legree.

 

It’s been quiet on the basketball side for the Badgers, as they have most of their roster set for the 2025-26 season. While they have one more roster spot, it’s unclear how much that addition would impact next year’s rotation.

 

If there are questions with the team, it’s the depth and interior defense, with Nolan Winter heading back to the five.

 

I haven’t done the mailbag in a while, so I thought it’d be the perfect time to bring it back and answer all of your questions, regardless of the sport. Fire away, and I’ll answer them all over the next 24 hours!

 

A former Wisconsin Badgers basketball standout is reportedly drawing serious interest from the defending NBA champions, signaling a potential move that could reshape his professional trajectory and bolster a title-contending roster.

 

Multiple league sources have confirmed that the Denver Nuggets—the reigning NBA champions after their dominant 2022-2023 campaign—have expressed interest in adding former Badgers forward Johnny Davis to their lineup. Davis, a 6-foot-5 guard known for his two-way versatility, was a breakout star during his sophomore season at Wisconsin and quickly rose up NBA draft boards before being selected 10th overall by the Washington Wizards in 2022.

 

Though Davis’ NBA career got off to a relatively slow start, marked by limited minutes and inconsistent production in his rookie season, scouts around the league remain optimistic about his upside. His tenacity on defense, combined with his ability to create his own shot, makes him a potentially valuable piece for a contending team looking to reinforce its depth on the wing.

 

For the Nuggets, the interest in Davis likely stems from a desire to bolster their second unit following the departure of key bench contributors in free agency. While the team continues to build around superstar Nikola Jokić and guard Jamal Murray, the front office has made it a priority to identify young, athletic wings who can defend multiple positions and contribute offensively when called upon. Davis, still only 23, fits that mold well.

 

During his time at Wisconsin, Davis was nothing short of electric. In the 2021-2022 college season, he averaged 19.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, earning Big Ten Player of the Year honors and a consensus First-Team All-American nod. He was known for his gritty playing style, elite mid-range scoring, and clutch performances—attributes that made him a fan favorite in Madison and a hot prospect on NBA draft boards.

 

Should a move to Denver materialize, Davis would join a well-structured system that emphasizes ball movement, team defense, and spacing—an environment that could allow him to flourish. Under head coach Michael Malone, several young players have found their footing, thanks in part to a strong player development system and a clear understanding of roles within the rotation.

 

While no trade or deal has been finalized, the speculation surrounding Davis suggests that Denver is seriously evaluating how he might fit into their long-term plans. For Davis, a change of scenery might be just what he needs to unlock the potential that made him a top-10 draft pick. And for the Nuggets, acquiring a motivated, defensively sound guard with upside could be another savvy move in their quest to defend the title.

 

As offseason moves unfold and rosters begin to take shape, all eyes will be on how this potential connection develops. For now, one thing is clear: the former Badger isn’t flying under the radar any longer.

 

 

 

Camp Randall Stadium is getting new lights installed before the 2025 season.

A video showcasing the installation was posted on social media, promoting ticket mini-packs.

Fans can get their first look at the upgraded stadium lights during the August 28th opening game against Miami (OH).

Wisconsin football has its sights set on the upcoming 2025 season. To build anticipation for that campaign, the program recently teased a notable offseason upgrade to Camp Randall Stadium.

 

That upgrade: New lights.

 

As seen in a 30-second video posted to X earlier this month, helicopters hoisted new light stands above the club level and press box along each sideline, replacing lights that had been there for years. While the preview ended there, the new additions can likely produce much more than just the standard stadium light.

 

The program added the following, with the video:

 

Something big is coming to Camp Randall. Grab your Mini Pack today and catch it live for the first time on August 28th!

 

The recently-released ticket mini-packs include a choice of three games from the program’s home schedule: Miami (OH) on Aug. 28, Middle Tennessee on Sept. 6, Maryland on Sept. 20, Iowa on Oct. 11, Ohio State on Oct. 18, Washington on Nov. 8 and Illinois on Nov. 22. Each game is priced differently, with the Ohio State matchup as the most expensive at $191.25. The mini-pack tickets are the best available in the upper-deck sections.

 

Only 80 days remain until the Badgers open their campaign against Miami (OH). That Thursday night contest will be our first look at Camp Randall’s latest upgrade.

 

Wisconsin has a number of players stepping into bigger roles this season. Who will break out?

 

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NCAA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Wisconsin Badgers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

 

The Wisconsin Badgers offense will look quite different in 2025 after the team saw a number of changes in the offseason, both adding and losing players via the transfer portal.

 

On the offensive side of the ball, Wisconsin has a new starting quarterback, running back, two wide receivers, tight end (?), and two offensive linemen to pair with a new offensive coordinator.

 

Some of those additions, such as Billy Edwards, Jayden Ballard, and Lance Mason, are via the transfer portal. Others, such as Dilin Jones, Darrion Dupree, and Trech Kekahuna, are players stepping into bigger roles.

 

With that said, who is Wisconsin’s breakout candidates on offense this season? I identified four intriguing players: Jones, Dupree, Kekahuna, and Ballard.

 

The argument for Jones and Dupree is simple: they’re the lead backs in the new offense after serving as reserves last year (Dupree was the No. 2, while Jones wasn’t in the rotation).

 

Now, the question becomes: which of the two will be the feature back? Offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes will definitely have both see the field, given their contrasting skillsets, but one will take on the lead back role come the fall. At the moment, that seems like Jones, who had a strong spring and took over when Dupree dealt with a lower-body injury.

 

At wide receiver, Trech Kekahuna feels like a breakout waiting to happen. We saw the glimpses last year as Kekahuna shined while Will Pauling was injured, catching six passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns against Purdue.

 

Now, taking over for Pauling as the lead slot receiver, Kekahuna has a big opportunity to become a leader in the offense. But, he’ll have to be more technically refined and on his keys, which was an issue with the coaching staff at times last year.

 

Then, there’s Jayden Ballard, who caught just two passes for 18 yards over the last two seasons. In his four years at Ohio State, he caught just 11 passes. But, the former four-star recruit was buried on a deep depth chart with the Buckeyes, and immediately shined in his first spring in Madison.

 

Ballard is the leader to start opposite Vinny Anthony on the boundary, giving the Badgers two deep threats that have great speed and fit within Jeff Grimes’s vertical attack. He’s already started to develop the chemistry with Billy Edwards and is an underrated player to watch come the fall.

 

Wisconsin has quite a few new faces stepping into bigger roles. Who could be the team’s breakout player in 2025?

 

Wisconsin missed out on a marquee four-star outside linebacker on Monday.

 

The Wisconsin Badgers were dealt some unfortunate news on Monday, as 2026 four-star outside linebacker McHale Blade committed to the Michigan Wolverines.

 

Blade, a native of Chicago, Illinois, was on campus for Wisconsin’s first weekend of official visits and was a clear priority target at outside linebacker for coach Matt Mitchell.

 

Wisconsin looked to make some noise for the top-200 recruit, but faced steep competition to land Blade, with the Michigan Wolverines and Notre Dame Fighting Irish both expected to get official visits afterwards.

 

Michigan got an official for Blade this weekend, and it was enough to seal the deal for the four-star, as he committed to the Wolverines on Monday. Wisconsin always had some ground to make up behind Michigan and Notre Dame, and that proved to be true with Blade’s commitment.

 

He should play on the edge at Michigan, where the Wolverines have developed quite a few NFL talents over the past few seasons.

 

Now, Wisconsin is focused on some of its other targets in a room that is suddenly looking dry. Four-star Jackson Samuels-Ford is still on the board, but has Penn State, Ohio State, and Michigan after him. The Badgers also lost three-star Carmelow Reed, who flipped to Ole Miss last week.

 

The Badgers were looking for two to three targets at outside linebacker in the 2026 class. We’ll see what they can do going into the third weekend of official visits.

 

Badger football had its fair share of struggles at quarterback in 2024. Starter Tyler Van Dyke went down with injury after just two games, and backup Braedyn Locke never fully quite put things together. Now in 2025, transfer quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. will get the keys, but he comes with his own questions as well.

 

Last season at Maryland was Edwards Jr’s first year as a full-time starter, and while overall he had success, his 10 games were wildly inconsistent. In his first five games of the year, Edwards Jr. was dominant and had some of the best numbers in the Big Ten. His final five games of the season were borderline disastrous, leaving many Badger fans wondering which quarterback will show up in Madison.

 

Which Billy Edwards Jr. will Wisconsin get?

 

Completion %

 

TD/INT

 

Yards

 

First 5 games

 

72.3%

 

11/2

 

1444

 

Last 5 games

 

59.6%

 

4/7

 

1411

 

The new Badger quarterback finished the year with some solid numbers as a whole, but it’s hard to ignore the poor play down the stretch. Yes, Maryland’s offensive line and much of the team in general was a disaster last year, which contributes to the sub-par second half of the season, but the stark contrast is a bit unsettling.

 

Considering several of the games early on were against inferior opponents like Connecticut or Villanova, it makes sense Edwards Jr. was able to put up some good numbers. But down the line against Big Ten talent, things went south. So should we be concerned?

 

Ultimately, the answer is probably no. Edwards Jr. is a very smart player with elite leadership skills and dual-threat ability. He’s a great fit with new offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes’ system, and will have all the opportunity in the world to flourish. He had a bad second-half to 2024, but it doesn’t really raise too many red flags taking into account the poor play around him.

 

Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell during the game against the Oregon Ducks at Camp Randall Stadium.

After multiple successful recruiting visits, the Wisconsin football staff now expects to hear back from some recruits as commitments are made.

 

May and June are official visit season as far as collegiate football recruiting goes and Wisconsin has been no stranger. The Badgers recently landed five commitments who all were just on campus for official visits which tend to be a crucial part to the recruiting process.

 

While recruits have been visiting from all over, the Wisconsin football staff will have four Georgia natives on campus during official visit season who represent potential major commitments.

Amongst them is four-star running back Amari Latimer who has already been on campus officially and unofficially over the past week. High three-star offensive lineman Wilson Zierer was also recently on campus officially as the duo headlines the influx of Georgia natives in Madison.

 

 

Wisconsin football running backs coach Devon Spalding

Wisconsin running backs coach Devon Spalding talks with Nate White (20) during the team’s final spring practice, which was held on the field north of Camp Randall Stadium on Thursday May 2, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin.

 

In the next week however, the Wisconsin football staff will have three-star Kell High School defensive back duo Jowell Combay and Tony Forney on campus. Combay and Forney will officially visit campus together on June 13th during one of the biggest recruiting weekends of the year for Wisconsin.

 

Where Does the Wisconsin Football Program Stands With Group of 2026 Georgia Recruits?

 

Wisconsin cornerback coach Paul Haynes is shown during practice Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis.

With a southern boost flowing throughout Wisconsin in the 2026 recruiting class, the Badgers staff might just continue to add talent from the heart of SEC country.

 

Perhaps the most important recruit the Wisconsin football staff has been tapped into as of late is running back Amari Latimer.

The composite four-star running back is considered to be a top talent at the position with Michigan, Texas, and Georgia also battling for the recruit. Wisconsin has worked to develop a close relationship with Latimer as fellow Badgers commitment Tayshon Bardo has grown close with the running back.

 

Latimer was recently back on campus for an unofficial visit before embarking on a visit with the Michigan Wolverines. Whether it is out of convenience and being close to campus or out of pure interest, having Latimer back on campus is a good sign for the Badgers.

 

While Latimer seems like a potential lock to land in Madison, a fellow underrated in-state star could also become a Badger after a productive visit. Wilson Zierer, a three-star offensive lineman, has developed a close relationship with offensive line coach AJ Blazek who has been the primary recruiter of the lineman. Pulling Zierer away from Auburn will be difficult, however, as the recruit has deep ties to the program as brother Kilian Zierer was a star for the Tigers.

 

 

Zierer could be SEC bound, which is also the potential for the Kell duo of Tony Forney and Jowell Combay. The three-star defensive backs have both been closely tied to Missouri, and already visited the program together officially. Combay stated that he could “see myself with these guys for three or four years” following the visit with Missouri.

 

For the Wisconsin football staff, the upcoming visit for Forney and Combay will be pivotal as it will likely be the final push the Badgers can make. Forney previously stated he was “blown away” by Madison and booked an official visit shortly after his unofficial visit. Combay, on the other hand, has spent more time with the Wisconsin football staff than any other program as of late.

 

 

Wisconsin offensive line coach AJ Blazek is shown during spring football practice Thursday, April 3, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

 

 

The Badgers could be adding another speedster to the mix soon after a big de-commitment.

 

The Wisconsin Badgers have enjoyed a strong weekend of recruiting so far, adding five players over the past few days after hosting some of their top targets on campus for an official visit.

 

Wisconsin picked up commitments from linebacker Ben Wenzel, tight ends Jack Janda and Jack Sievers, and defensive linemen Arthur Scott and Djidjou Bah, getting them to 11 total commits in the class. And they’re not done yet.

 

One sleeper recruit to watch is 2026 four-star wide receiver Zion Legree, who recently de-committed from the Ole Miss Rebels. Legree had been in communication with the Badgers well before his de-commitment, forming a relationship with new receivers coach Jordan Reid.

 

Wisconsin had even managed to set an official visit while he was committed to Ole Miss for the weekend of June 13th. That will stand currently, and Legree is starting to figure out the rest of his schedule now that teams are showing interest.

 

Currently, he is slated to visit West Virginia for the weekend of June 20th, and Florida, Miami, Mississippi State, and even potentially Ohio State could earn official visits in the future. Florida would be the team to watch, as Legree, a native of the state, would be able to stay home and play for another SEC program.

 

But, the Badgers have done a nice job here for the speedster, and they’ll bring him on campus for the weekend of the 13th. Wisconsin is also recruiting three-star Zachary Washington, who was on campus this past weekend, four-star Jayden Petit, who was also on campus this weekend, and three-star Owen Cabell, who is coming to campus this weekend.

 

There are only two more spots likely at the position, given that Tayshon Bardo is already in the fold, so it’ll be interesting to see how Wisconsin navigates the wide receiver position over the next few weeks.

 

 

Wisconsin secured a commitment from 2025 in-state athlete Mason Kelley, flipping him from South Dakota State.

Kelley becomes the 24th member of Wisconsin’s 2025 recruiting class, currently ranked 25th nationally.

The unranked athlete from Mukwonago had previously received offers from several other schools before committing to South Dakota State.

Kelley’s commitment coincides with a major recruiting weekend for Wisconsin, focusing on the 2026 class.

This story was updated to add new information.

 

Wisconsin football landed a commitment from in-state class of 2025 athlete Mason Kelley on Friday. The program flipped Kelley from South Dakota State, to which he had committed on July 14, 2024 and signed with on Feb. 6.

 

The Mukwonago, Wisconsin, native is unranked by 247Sports. He is the 24th addition to Wisconsin’s class of 2025 — a group that ranks 25th in the nation and seventh in the Big Ten. Fifteen of those 24 recruits enrolled early and already completed spring practice. Kelley and eight others are set to join the program this summer.

 

Kelley also received offers from Minnesota State and North Dakota State before choosing South Dakota State. He will join the Badgers as a preferred walk-on, according to WisSports.net’s Travis Wilson.

 

The commitment arrives on the first day of arguably Wisconsin’s biggest recruiting weekend of the year: the first official visit weekend for the class of 2026. Numerous recruiting headlines for the upcoming cycle will likely follow over the next few weeks.