The Wisconsin football staff has had their eye on a certain 2026 offensive tackle who has all the tools to succeed at the next level.
Michael Gildea, a three-star 2026 offensive tackle from New Jersey, has quickly become one of the top rising recruits within the class. Gildea currently holds offers from programs such as Wake Forest and Virginia Tech, but hopes to secure bigger offers moving forward. During a recent interview with Wisconsin Sports Heroics, Gildea broke down down who has been the most active in his recruitment as well as his interest in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Football Eyeing 2026 Three-Star Offensive Tackle Michael Gildea
![Wisconsin Football: 3-Star Offensive Tackle Loving Contact With 'Amazing' Program 1 Wisconsin football head coach Luke Fickell](https://wisportsheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/USATSI_22205944_168400517_lowres-1-900x600.jpg)
When looking through the 2026 recruiting class for talent that truly fits the team, the Wisconsin football staff has come across a special recruit. Three-star offensive tackle Michael Gildea, a New Jersey native, has become a primary recruiting target within the 2026 class for Wisconsin.
Currently, Gildea only holds a handful of offers, but has attracted attention from major programs recently following his most recent season. Gildea states he has been in contact with Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Pittsburgh, Penn State, and Michigan among others. The Wisconsin football staff has also displayed great interest, but has yet to offer a scholarship to the offensive tackle.
Michael Gildea: “I Love Wisconsin, it is an Amazing School With a Great Atmosphere”
![Wisconsin Football: 3-Star Offensive Tackle Loving Contact With 'Amazing' Program 2 Wisconsin football](https://wisportsheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_23018003_168400517_lowres-823x600.jpg)
For Gildea, the next level of football is going to be all about the atmosphere and fit that he has within a program. When asked about a specific play-style or scheme he is looking for, Gildea responded, “I am interested in playing in any style of offense or program that I feel I would be a great fit for.”
The offensive lineman is focused on feeling at home and enjoying where he will be working and studying moving forward. One such aspect of recruiting that he boded well for the Wisconsin football staff has been the location and campus as Gildea has enjoyed the environment.
When asked about his thoughts on Wisconsin, Gildea responded “I love Wisconsin, it is an amazing school with a great atmosphere and one of the best football programs in the country.”
Wisconsin Badgers Football Staff Sees Versatility, Athleticism as Key Abilities
![Wisconsin Football: 3-Star Offensive Tackle Loving Contact With 'Amazing' Program 3 Wisconsin football AJ Blazek](https://wisportsheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_23075220_168400517_lowres-842x600.jpg)
For the Wisconsin football staff, Gildea is an offensive lineman that is able to do just about anything they need along the line. Gildea is a quick offensive lineman who is incredibly light on his feet, which is something Wisconsin feels is extremely important with their line.
What Gildea feels sets him apart the most is his ability to reach a “second level” and remain at that level. The offensive tackle feels as though when he is in the “zone” he can read the rushers much faster and shift to block them in time with ease. Gildea feels he is not just a lineman, but rather an athlete that plays along the line and that can be seen in his athleticism for someone with great size.
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