The Wisconsin Badgers have been maintaining a close relationship with a rising 2026 class athlete from Illinois with huge potential.
Carmelow Reed, a 2026 class defensive end, tight end, and outside linebacker, has been a player the Wisconsin staff loves. The Badgers can see a million different uses for Reed based on the film the recruit has compiled as of late. Reed comes in at 6-feet-7-inches, 250-pounds, with quite a burst of speed and incredible length when attacking opposing offenses from the outside.
The talented recruit is rather new to the college recruitment process after taking some time to truly burst onto the radar of many coaches. Reed stated that thus far the process has been a “great experience” and something that he has truly felt humble for. Reed also added that early on Illinois, Wisconsin, and Northern Illinois have been the most active programs in terms of communication.
In terms of his recruitment to Wisconsin, the Badgers see the most potential in the athlete as an outside linebacker with coach Matt Mitchell leading the recruitment. However, Reed is someone who has been developing at a wild rate and could very well size himself into a different position.
Playing all along the offense and the defensive line are possibilities depending on how much size Reed puts on moving forward. Although, Reed has primarily been recruited by the Wisconsin Badgers staff as if he is going to be an outside linebacker in the future.
Reed is an incredibly dynamic player, who states that often he feels he “knows what play is going to happen before it does.” Reed added that he can get “locked in” when playing and feels as though he enters a completely different level of play when doing so. The speed, focus, and intensity of the athlete have been what has led to college recruitment preparing to explode.
How Can the Wisconsin Badgers, Other Teams Attempt to Land Carmelow Reed in the Future?
While the Wisconsin Badgers are fighting heavily to land Carmelow Reed, that does not necessarily mean it is a lock that he will attend the school.
When asked about what different factors of his recruitment he looks for, Reed stated, “I’m looking for a place that would suite me and develop me into the best version of myself on and off of the field.” As dynamic of an athlete as the defender is, Reed also still feels there is plenty of room for improvement and wants to find a staff that shares his eagerness to improve.
Reed also pointed towards the relationship he develops with the staff, as that is something that is crucial for the defender moving forward. The athlete wants to know that a staff will invest time and energy into each individual player to allow them to reach elite levels.
One thing that does bode well for the Badgers is the current investment of time and energy they have put into connecting with the recruit. Reed stated, “My dream school as of right now would be the Wisconsin Badgers because I feel that I have a good connection with the coaching staff and the recruiting staff there.”
The Wisconsin Badgers certainly still have plenty of work ahead of themselves before Reed is fully convinced about joining the program.
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