The Badgers finished the 2025 cycle at No. 27 in the 247Sports team composite rankings. That mark is an impressive follow-up to the team’s No. 23 finish in the 2024 class.

Strong recruiting is one of Luke Fickell’s calling cards as a head coach. Through two full years at the helm, it’s arguably the biggest positive from his tenure. Wisconsin is just 12-13 on the field through those two seasons, anchored by a bowl-less 5-7 2024 campaign. Badgers fans hope that Fickell’s strong recruiting output begins to reverse the team’s on-field fortunes, in addition to hoping that it is carried into the class of 2026.

There is one significant variable to note entering the 2026 cycle: Wisconsin enters it without general manager Max Stienecker leading its recruiting department. The fast-rising personnel manager recently left Wisconsin for a similar position at USC. His departure is likely to have an impact, the severity of which is to be determined. Wisconsin has yet to officially announce his replacement.