Wisconsin football pushing for another flip, plus more Badgers recruiting news
The Wisconsin Badgers are hoping to land a pair of high-profile 2025 recruits before National Signing Day, with plans to try and flip a current Michigan commit and reel in four-star QB Carter Smith.
The University of Wisconsin football program still has some work to do in the 2025 recruiting class before National Signing Day. The Badgers staff is still working to keep their current commits in the fold while also looking to reel in a few key prospects before things are finalized.
Luke Fickell and the Badgers currently sit at 23 verbal commits in a class that ranks No. 28 nationally, according to the 247Sports composite. But Wisconsin now has a need on the edge after losing three-star outside linebacker Brenden Anes, who flipped to Tennessee. Anes gave Wisconsin his pledge in January but has opened up a spot this staff is eager to fill.
Even though four-star OLB Nicolas Clayton and three-star Samuel Lateju are locked in, a source indicated that the Badgers are making a late push to try and flip Michigan Wolverines commit Jaylen Williams, a consensus top 300 talent in the 2025 class. Additionally, Williams is expected to visit Madison next weekend when Wisconsin takes on Oregon at home.
The four-star edge from Palatine (IL.) is ranked as the No. 298 overall player in his class and the No. 32 defensive lineman.
Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 265 pounds, Williams picked up an offer from the Badgers in January 2023. Wisconsin was involved in his recruitment until he committed to Michigan in June, with the departure of former defensive line coach Greg Scruggs factoring into that decision.
It’s still unclear whether the Badgers staff sees Williams as a fit on the outside or if they’re eyeing him to play on the defensive line. Regardless, there's some mutual interest here, and it’s a situation worth keeping an eye on as we continue inching closer to National Signing Day.
Badgers Trending for 2025 4-Star QB Carter Smith
Looking ahead to next weekend’s guest list, four-star quarterback and former Michigan commit Carter Smith will be on campus for an official visit.
From everything I’m hearing, the Badgers are pushing hard to land the blue-chip recruit despite all the Power 4 programs who have also inquired.
Wisconsin's staff was represented in Fort Myers, Florida, on Friday night to watch Smith in action, where the 6-foot-2, 185-pound QB led Bishop Verot High School to a 32-6 playoff victory over Glades Central.
According to the 247Sports composite, Smith ranks as the No. 158 overall prospect, the No. 14 quarterback, and the No. 26 player in Florida. He also has a 0.9341 composite rating from scouts, underscoring Smith's standing as one of the top QBs nationally in the class of 2025.
Sure, high-profile programs from across the country have been showing interest, but I've been told Wisconsin is, in fact, the team to beat for Smith. That said, this recruitment is far from over, with Florida, Louisville, Penn State, Clemson, and others still in the picture for his services.
Right now, Mike Norvell and Florida State appear to be the biggest threats to the Badgers in this recruitment, and the Seminoles are keeping a close eye on Smith. Fortunately for the Badgers, Penn State, Louisville, and Florida State already have QBs committed in this cycle—just as Wisconsin does with Landyn Locke, who’s currently on the mend from an ACL tear.
Next weekend is shaping up to be a big recruiting opportunity for Wisconsin, and these two recruits are just the tip of the iceberg. The Badgers still have their eyes on several other prospects late in the cycle and have put themselves within striking distance on a few key targets.
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