Wisconsin Football Jumps in the Mix Early for a Rising WR From Ohio

It’s never too early for the Wisconsin football program to look towards the future, as the Badgers jumped into the mix early for a rising prospect in the 2026 recruiting class.

Payton Cook, an Akron, Ohio native, took to social media to announce he was offered by Wisconsin. 

Blessed to receive an offer from the university of Wisconsin @CoachSpalding_ pic.twitter.com/ZFDlFRckmg

— Payton Cook (@Payton2good_) January 16, 2024

Wisconsin Football Jumps in Early for 2026 WR Payton Cook

It’s very early in Cook’s recruitment, but the 6-foot-2, 175-pound receiver has already garnered some significant power five interest. After picking one up from Wisconsin, Cook holds six total offers, with Michigan, Miami, Tennessee, Pittsburgh, and Kentucky also throwing their hats in the ring. He’s also received several looks from Ohio State but has not picked up an offer just yet.

Cook is currently unranked on major recruiting services, but his early offer sheet is already a strong one, indicating that he could be highly sought after as his recruitment goes on. 

Wide receiver looks to be a point of emphasis for Wisconsin early in the 2026 recruiting class, as they’ve dished out nine total WR offers. Cook joins Daylen Sharper, Jayden Kitchens, Jeffar Jean-Noel, Zamarii Sanders, Milan Parris, Chris Henry Jr (who is committed to Ohio State), and the Naeem Burroughs (the younger brother of Badgers WR Quincy Burroughs) as wide receivers to earn an offer from UW. 

It will be interesting to see if the Wisconsin football program’s early offer will entice Cook to make a visit to Madison down the line.

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