Wisconsin football 2026 recruiting targets visiting campus for Junior Day

The Wisconsin Badgers football team will host several top targets in the 2026 recruiting class on Junior Day visits to campus on Sunday.

The Wisconsin football coaching staff is gearing up for its first big recruiting weekend of the offseason, hosting its first Junior Day on January 26.

With several top prospects from across the country set to check out Madison, Sunday represents a significant opportunity for head coach Luke Fickell and the Badgers recruiting department to make a lasting impression during these visits. The objective is for the staff to take each of these relationships to the next level and position Wisconsin as a top contender in their recruitments.

While Fickell has recognized the transfer portal as a valuable tool for filling immediate gaps, the Badgers remain steadfast in their commitment to building the roster primarily through high school recruiting. The goal remains clear: bring in 25 to 30 prep players each cycle to establish long-term stability and development within the program.

“You do create better relationships,” Fickell said, referring to high school recruits. “Hopefully, things are built a little bit deeper, which gives them a better chance to get on the field earlier or play above their God-given ability because you can push them. You can motivate them.

“With the transfer portal, you still don’t really know. If it’s a short amount of time you get a chance to know a guy before he comes in, you’re going to rely a lot on your intuition and somebody else’s opinion."

Junior Day has become a cornerstone of Wisconsin's recruiting efforts, offering top-of-board prospects and their families an immersive look at what the program and campus have to offer.

Here is a look at the highly touted 2026 recruits who are expected to be on campus for Wisconsin's Junior Day.

Junior Day visitor list

Messiah Tilson: Tilson was a late but intriguing addition to Wisconsin's Junior Day list. The Badgers offered the unranked safety back in October, with Pat Lambert even visiting his high school earlier this month to see him work out. Since then, Tilson’s recruitment has started to heat up, with Kansas, Minnesota, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, and Iowa all entering the mix for the 6-foot-2, 165-pound athlete out of Rockford, Illinois.

Tilson is not yet ranked according to the 247Sports composite.

Owen Cabell: The composite three-star wideout out of Nashville, Tennessee, is one of Wisconsin's top receiver targets. While Illinois, Georiga, Arkansas, and Vanderbilt are also in the mix, this weekend offers a valuable opportunity to connect with position coach Jordan Reid.

Cabell is listed as the No. 597 ranked recruit in his class, the No. 91 WR, and the No. 18 overall player in Tennessee.

Titan Davis: The four-star edge from Missouri has been relatively quiet during his recruitment, but Wisconsin is doing everything it can to keep pace for the blue-chip talent. Davis, who has also drawn interest from Texas A&M, Alabama, Colorado, Michigan, Penn State, and Florida State, will return to Madison this weekend in what could be a pivotal visit.

Davis is listed as the No. 107 ranked recruit in his class, the No. 14 DL, and the No. 2 overall player in Missouri.

Zachary Washington: One of the most coveted receivers on Wisconsin’s board, Washington has drawn offers from Miami, Louisville, Nebraska, and Michigan State, among others. The 6-foot-2 wideout already has a strong relationship with Fickell and Kenny Guiton. That said, this visit will be a big one for the three-star pass-catcher, given the influx of offers he's added.

Washington is listed as the No. 491 ranked recruit in his class, the No. 72 WR, and the No. 12 overall player in Illinois.

Jake Johnson: A rising unranked defensive lineman from Prosper (TX.) Johnson has seen his recruitment pick up since his fall gameday visit to Wisconsin. Programs like Texas Tech, TCU, SMU, Houston, Tulane, and Kansas have entered the mix, but E.J. Whitlow and the Badgers remain in a strong position here. Relationships have been big in this one thus far.

The 6-foot-3, 290-pound defensive lineman is not yet ranked according to the 247Sports composite.

Gavin Mueller: One of the top tight end targets on Wisconsin's board, the Wheaton (IL.) standout has repeatedly mentioned the Badgers as one of his frontrunners to this point. Florida, Ole Miss, Indiana, Duke, and Texas A&M are also in the mix for the three-star prospect. Still, Nate Letton has built a strong relationship with Mueller thus far, and this weekend's trip is another opportunity to further solidify their standing.

Mueller is listed as the No. 645 ranked recruit in his class, the No. 31 TE, and the No. 15 overall player in Illinois.

Damari Simeon: The New Jersey defensive lineman has been a priority for Wisconsin and coach Whitlow since receiving an offer last season. Simeon, who holds over 30 offers, including Michigan, Penn State, USC, and Texas, among others, had a strong junior season and is someone with whom this coaching staff wants to remain in a good position.

The 6-foot-3, 275-pound defensive lineman is not yet ranked according to the 247Sports composite.

Jackson Samuels-Ford: The four-star outside linebacker out of Malvern, Pennsylvania, has drawn significant interest from Michigan, USC, Rutgers, and Penn State, but Wisconsin's outside linebackers coach, Matt Mitchell, has been heavily involved in his recruitment. Samuels-Ford is an ideal fit for the Badgers defense due to his athleticism and versatility. This visit will be key in showcasing how he could potentially fit into the program.

Samuels-Ford is listed as the No. 237 ranked recruit in his class, the No. 17 ATH, and the No. 6 overall player in Pennsylvania.

Ben Novak: A three-star offensive lineman out of Indiana, Novak is the only player committed recruit in Wisconsin’s 2026 class. His presence at Junior Day will allow the 6-foot-6, 310-pound guard to help recruit other top targets and reinforce the family atmosphere that the Badgers pride themselves on offering.

Novak is listed as the No. 632 ranked recruit in his class, the No. 53 IOL, and the No. 4 overall player in Indiana.

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