After finishing the last two seasons with a losing record, head coach Luke Fickell and his staff have worked to build a high-ranked recruiting class for the 2027 season. With 23 commitments from 11 different states, Wisconsin’s 2027 recruiting class ranks No. 25 nationally.
The young group features a blend of highly-ranked in-state and out-of-state recruits, helping shape the future of Badger football. Improving the offense is a priority during recruitment season, as Wisconsin averaged just 12.8 points per game in 2025.
They addressed their offensive drought by landing four-star running back Kingston Allen, the No. 1 prospect in Wisconsin. The 2025-26 Gatorade Wisconsin Football Player of the Year rushed 3,436 yards for 57 touchdowns at Notre Dame Academy, breaking the state’s single-season rushing record.
Allen is a stellar addition for the Badgers. He will provide the offensive power the Badgers desperately need after finishing No. 16 in the Big Ten for total rushing yards. He gives the Badgers a physical runner capable of carrying the offense.
Wisconsin also landed one of the nation’s top tight ends in Korz Loken— a four-star recruit who ranks among ESPN’s top 300 recruits nationally. In his high school sophomore season, Loken had 28 catches for 425 yards and nine touchdowns. Unfortunately, his junior year was cut short due to an arm injury.
Leading the Badgers’ defensive class is safety Mekhi Williams, who committed to Wisconsin in June. Williams' commitment represents one of the biggest recruiting victories under Fickell. The four-star prospect chose Wisconsin over Nebraska and Louisiana State University, after previously decommitting from Florida State.
Williams ranks as the No. 10 safety and the No. 107 overall prospect in the nation. In 30 career games, Williams totaled 10 interceptions. He said the relationships he developed with coaching staff, combined with the university’s strong academic programs, ultimately made Wisconsin the right fit.
The Badgers continue to add defensive strength with offensive tackle Cole Reiter. Hailing from Germantown, Wisconsin, Reiter is ranked No. 2 in the state. He chose Wisconsin over other Big Ten schools including Michigan, Indiana and Ohio State. At six-foot-seven and 315 pounds, his size and speed set him apart. Reiter provides the help the Badgers are looking for on pass protection.
Rounding off the top recruits of the 2027 class are defensive lineman David Hill, wide receiver Jai Jones and quarterback Jack Sorgi.
At 6-foot-2 and 315 pounds, Hill provides size for the defensive line. He is a top 90 ranked defensive lineman. Jones recorded 54 receptions for 922 yards and 10 touchdowns over 13 games. Sorgi, son of former Wisconsin quarterback, Jim Sorgi, led his team to a 7-4 record and completed 31 touchdowns.
The 2027 class has speed, agility and athleticism, everything Wisconsin needs to compete in the Big Ten. Recruiting momentum has remained strong even though Wisconsin is looking to rebound from recent struggles on-field.
So far, the recruiting class has been a bright spot for Fickell. The Badgers were able to keep many of Wisconsin’s best players home, like Allen, Reiter and Loken, beating out top Big Ten and SEC schools.
While the recruits look promising, the development is the most important part and it starts with winning this season. If Wisconsin shows meaningful progress over the next season, the 2027 class could become the foundation for the team moving forward.
If the program continues to struggle, questions will remain about Fickell’s leadership for the future.
Staff Writer
