Wisconsin football lands commitment from 2026 EDGE Carmelow Reed
Wisconsin football has landed a verbal commitment from edge rusher Carmelow Reed, a top 2026 recruiting target.
The University of Wisconsin football program just went into one of its most important recruiting territories and came away with a big win for the 2026 class.
Carmelow Reed, a 6-foot-7, 250-pound edge defender from Rich Township High School in Illinois, announced his commitment to the Badgers following an unofficial Spring visit to Madison.
"Let’s work!!! #GoBadgers," Reed wrote.
And make no mistake—this one checks a lot of important boxes.
Reed’s verbal commitment gives Wisconsin its first defensive line pledge of the cycle and its third overall for the 2026 class, joining offensive lineman Benjamin Novak and wideout Tayshon Bardo. But beyond just filling a positional need, this is a recruiting win that speaks to how the Badgers staff is moving in lockstep with their vision for the future of this defense.
"I really felt like a priority to them," Reed said. "It wasn't like I was a second option."
It’s also a win on the trail that continues Luke Fickell’s run of success in the Chicagoland area—an emphasis since the day he took the job at Wisconsin.
Reed becomes the first Windy City native to join the fold for the 2026 class—and with the staff’s continued focus on the area, you can bet he won’t be the last.
What Carmelow Reed brings to the table for Wisconsin
Reed is the kind of prospect you notice the second he steps on the field.
Long, lean, and explosive, the three-star edge rusher is built to play at the next level. Reed is currently rated as the No. 532 overall prospect in the 2026 cycle, the No. 57 defensive lineman, and the No. 13 player in Illinois, according to the industry-generated composite rankings.
He currently lines up as a stand-up defensive end in high school and has the tools to transition to an outside linebacker in Wisconsin’s system. From a measurables standpoint, he compares favorably to Grambling State transfer Michael Garner, who brings a lot of similar traits.
As a junior, Reed posted 33 tackles and five sacks, per Maxpreps, showing an ability to set the edge, disrupt plays in the backfield, and use his wingspan to create separation from blockers. Reed’s still a bit raw, but the potential? It’s there.
He brings size and length that you just can’t teach. Reed is also strong at the point of attack and shows the kind of motor you want to see in an edge rusher.
On film, Reed shows solid burst off the line, carries his weight well, changes direction cleanly for a player his size, and has a frame that, in theory, should hold more mass without sacrificing a ton of mobility. There’s still plenty of development ahead, to be sure—but Reed’s instincts and physical profile will give him a real shot to be disruptive in Wisconsin's defensive system with some time to sit back and work on refining his game.
To their credit, the Badgers coaching staff got in early. Wisconsin was the first Power 4 school to extend an offer back in early February, laying the foundation before programs like LSU, Ole Miss, Missouri, Mississippi State, Minnesota, and Michigan State all jumped into the mix.
That kind of belief can go a long way when you’re trying to build trust—and in Reed’s case, it made the difference.
Relationships, culture, and a family environment won out
Reed visited Wisconsin this past weekend and didn’t need much time to make up his mind. The energy at spring practice, the academic support, and—most importantly—the coaching staff helped seal the deal.
“He’s the same guy in person as he is on the phone,” Reed said of his lead recruiter Matt Mitchell. “He keeps it real—doesn’t beat around the bush—and I felt like he was being honest with me.”
That kind of authenticity resonates, especially when you’re trying to sell a vision. Reed also pointed to the atmosphere in Madison—both at practice and inside the building—as a selling point.
“They’ve shown consistent support, and it feels like home,” Reed shared. “I chose Wisconsin because it felt like a family.”
That sense of belonging is a theme we’ve often seen under Fickell’s regime—and it’s no accident. Wisconsin’s culture and competitive environment are becoming a central piece of the recruiting pitch, and this staff has done a nice job selling it.
When you pair that vision with a proven track record of development—and we’re talking about a coach who’s sent plenty of unheralded recruits to the NFL by getting them to buy into the long game—you get high-upside commitments like this.
Even with a 12–13 start at Wisconsin, Fickell’s Playoff run at Cincinnati remains the proof of concept—something fans still point to when imagining what he could build here with time and some continuity.
What this means for Wisconsin moving forward
Reed’s pledge is a momentum-builder for a program that’s entering an important stretch—especially with just three commits in the 2026 class, a group ranking 54th nationally and 15th in the Big Ten.
Historically, Wisconsin has done its heavy lifting on the recruiting trail between April and June because it’s a whole lot easier to sell Wisconsin when the sun’s out. But with just three commits on the board right now, they’re still playing from behind.
Reed’s commitment gives the Badgers something to build on—with his official visit already locked in for June 6.
From a scheme standpoint, he fits. Reed is expected to play the boundary outside linebacker spot, where his length and strength allow him to press the edge, shoot gaps, and disrupt throwing lanes.
Reed's the type of athlete this staff has prioritized since Fickell and defensive coordinator Mike Tressel took over—a clear shift from the personnel blueprint they initially deployed. From the jump, they’ve shown a willingness to bet on projectable traits over polish, and Reed fits that mold. His frame, length, and upside align perfectly with the direction this defense appears to be heading.
Of course, betting on a recruit's long-term upside is a worthwhile investment for Wisconsin—but retaining those players long enough to see it pay off is another story in the NIL and transfer portal era.
Wisconsin is expected to pursue a few more edge defenders in this cycle with complementary skill sets—and there’s already movement on that front.
Ashton Blatt, Anthony Charles, and Hudson Woods all have official visits locked in for June, with Jackson Samuels Ford and Blatt headlining the first weekend as possible top priorities.
But make no mistake—landing Reed gives the staff a strong foundation from which to build at the position.
Reed’s not just a lottery ticket. He’s a developmental prospect with tangible attributes that align with where this defense is going—and his commitment is another reminder that Wisconsin’s staff knows exactly where it needs to win to get this thing back on track: in the trenches.
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