The Wisconsin Badgers staff has been working in multiple directions lately between the 2026 and 2027 recruiting class and the upcoming season.
Wisconsin currently holds the 60th overall class ranking in the 2026 cycle after previously feeling very confident and perhaps nearly done with the cycle. Commitment flips from Zachary Taylor and Carmelow Reed shocked the staff and now current commitments Djidjou Bah and Amari Latimer are at risk of being flipped as well.
While many positions need focus, the offensive and defensive line will likely be the next two rooms the Wisconsin Badgers opt to add to. Reed was previously the top defensive line commitment and now a hole in the class is left without his talent and size. The offensive line, however, is a room that is set to take major hits in the next two seasons as top talent graduates.
Offensive, Defensive Line Among Positions Wisconsin Badgers Could Add
The offensive and defensive line remain two positions that the Wisconsin staff could certainly add to within the 2026 class as both positions still need more talent. The Badgers are set to lose leaders along each line following the upcoming season and bringing in more talent within the 2026 class will be important.
Currently, three-star recruits Maddox Cochrane and Benjamin Novak are the only offensive line additions alongside preferred walk-on Aiden Dirksen. One other offensive lineman is on the Badgers list currently and that would be Illinois native Zach Poole. Poole does not have an offer from the Badgers yet, which likely will be a preferred walk-on or partial scholarship, but the offer could result in the recruit joining the program.
Illinois and Minnesota have also been in contact with Poole but the offensive lineman has not been nearly as close with either program. Poole recently booked a game-day visit with Wisconsin for September 20th, which will be a home game against the Maryland Terrapins. Poole very well could become a member of the Badgers himself following the visit.
Along the defensive line, however, the Wisconsin Badgers hold two commitments in three-stars Arthur Scott and Djidjou Bah. Bah has been closely tied to Penn State recently, and could become a flip candidate while the Badgers work on another candidate.
Jeremiah Gray, a three-star Cincinnati defensive line commitment, has been committed to the Bearcats since April after the program was the first to extend a scholarship. Gray is the primary defensive line target for the Badgers within the 2026 class currently and that would be due to his 6-foot-7-inch frame that mirrors former Wisconsin commitment Carmelow Reed.
Reed was a commitment that excited the Badgers staff, much like the former commitment of safety Zachary Taylor. The Wisconsin Badgers are not happy about losing Reed but cannot get the recruit back, so trying to land the next best thing currently appears to be the plan.
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