Wisconsin football enters the mix for 2026 QB Travis Burgess
Wisconsin football has entered the race for 2026 QB Travis Burgess, aiming to secure an official visit as he narrows down his list of top schools.
The Wisconsin football team is making a late push for one of the more intriguing quarterback prospects in the 2026 class.
Travis Burgess, a standout quarterback from Loganville (Ga.), picked up an offer from the Badgers, adding Wisconsin to an already competitive recruitment that includes Auburn, North Carolina, Duke, Arizona State, Pitt, Mississippi State, Utah, and Virginia Tech, among others.
According to the 247Sports composite, Burgess is rated by scouts as the No. 496 recruit in the class, the No. 28 QB, and the No. 52 player in Georgia.
Wisconsin’s approach in offering Burgess wasn’t rushed. The staff wanted to build a relationship first—something that stood out to him. Rather than rushing the process, the Badgers prioritized building a relationship and ensuring Burgess was the right fit for their program.
A new target for Wisconsin’s 2026 QB class
With Jeff Grimes now calling plays for Wisconsin’s offense, the Badgers are strongly considering taking two quarterbacks in the 2026 class—prioritizing players who bring both arm talent and mobility to the table.
"I think they've got to be able to provide some sort of athleticism. And I think in two ways: one, they have to have the ability to escape and get out of trouble when you're throwing the football," said Grimes. "Then I'd like for them to present some level of run threat to the defense. How much depends on a number of other factors. I look at it on a sliding scale.
"If a guy is a dynamic athlete and every time he touches the ball, he's got a chance to make an explosive play, then I might take a little bit less in some of the other categories. Ideally, you've got a big guy who's a great thrower and a good runner. There are very few teams that are talented enough everywhere to play with a quarterback that can't move around."
They’ve already offered four-star targets Peyton Falzone and Brodie McWhorter, plus three-star prospect Ryan Hopkins, but it remains to be seen where Wisconsin stands with each heading into the spring.
Wisconsin locked in an official visit with Hopkins from Santa Ana (Cal.) for the final weekend in May. Now, they’re working on doing the same with Burgess. While Auburn and Duke already have official visits lined up for the dual-threat from Georgia, the Badgers are working to get one on the books as well.
Standing at 6-foot-5, 200 pounds, Burgess threw for 2,255 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just four interceptions while completing 60.2% of his passes during his junior season at Grayson High School. The three-star recruit also added 596 rushing yards and four scores on the ground, showing that he can extend plays and be a factor outside the pocket.
Quarterbacks coach Kenny Guiton delivered the offer to Burgess, and he’s been the Badgers’ primary recruiter from the start. That said, Grimes has also been involved in Wisconsin's pursuit as well.
"Coach G has been heavily involved since day one," Burgess told Badgernotes.
"I like how he plans on running the quarterback room, and we talk almost daily. He's a very good coach, and we're building a strong relationship."
Burgess plays in a fast-paced, air-raid system at Grayson, but he sees Wisconsin’s offense as a strong fit for his skill set and plans for development.
"Whether it's getting under center or in the gun, I think it's compatible with our offense now," Burgess explained.
"I think they are looking for a QB that can develop with the program and can be a centerpiece to build the offense around."
Burgess plans to announce his top schools soon and has begun to focus on Auburn, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Duke, Virginia Tech, and Mississippi State.
With multiple programs across the country in pursuit, Burgess is taking a methodical approach to his recruitment, making sure he picks the right fit.
"Good coaches and a program with high energy and a plan for me," Burgess said when asked what he values most in a college football program. "To evolve as a quarterback and leader of the team."
Wisconsin is firmly in the mix, but with several programs already further ahead in Burgess recruitment—and no quarterback committed in the 2026 class after parting ways with Jarin Mock—the Badgers will need to make a strong push to position themselves as a serious contender.
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Intriguing!! Looking FORWARD to quarterback followups.