Wisconsin Badgers football and head coach Luke Fickell landed their first safety for the Class of 2026 after highly-coveted Zachary Taylor commits to the team on Friday.
COMMITTED!!! I am proud to announce my commitment to the University of Wisconsin!!! I want to thank all the players and coaches that have supported me throughout my journey. On Wisconsin!!! #OnWisconsin @BadgerFootball @CoachFick @CoachJCooper @CoachMikeTress pic.twitter.com/m9yUQ2m9dW
— Zachary Taylor | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ DB (@Zach21Taylor) June 13, 2025
The Katy Jordan high school standout is ranked 540 overall for next season and is the no. 76 recruit from his home state. Badgers won him over amidst the offers from other top programs like his state’s very own Houston Cougars, Texas Tech, and TCU.
He should be visiting Houston next week but that is shelved now after confirming that he will play for the Badgers next year.
What was it that made him say yes to Badgers? He said, just like those who came before him, that is because of the family atmosphere he felt with the team in his last visit.
“It was great. It really surprised me,” Taylor in an exclusive with Badger247.
“I didn’t know much about it coming up, but the people were great, the coaches were great, it felt like a family out here.”
Zachary Taylor credits Jack Cooper for his recruitment
Treating the recruits like family has been the strategy of the Badgers. Wide receiver Tayshon Bardo was recruited by Jordan Reid with the help of a playstation game.
Another 2026 batchmate celebrated his birthday with Fickell.
That’s what Taylor felt, too, and assigned to him was safety coach Jack Cooper who he said made him feel special.
“He was definitely letting me know that I was a top priority, ” he shared.
“I can really change their program in a great way. I learned a lot, where I’d fit in their defense.”
“Our relationship has been great. We’ve been calling like every three days. I met his family on the official visit. I feel like our relationship is strong. He’s a great guy.”
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