Sep 20, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell walks onto the field prior to the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Big name Badgers recruits visiting Madison for pivotal Wisconsin vs Iowa matchup

Originally posted on Wisconsin Badgers on SI
By Lorin Cox | Last updated Oct 10, 2025 3:34 PM ET

The Wisconsin Badgers' matchup against the Iowa Hawkeyes represents their best opportunity to get a win anytime soon, so Luke Fickell's staff is using it as a major recruiting weekend.

They're bringing in a bunch of top recruiting targets, many of which have confirmed their upcoming visit with posts on social media.

Two of the biggest names are in the class of 2028, as the Badgers look to the long-term future.

Four-star edge rusher Judah Blair from West Chester, Ohio is rated as a Top 100 player and Top 6 linebacker in the country by both Rivals and 247 Sports.

He has offers from Oregon and Texas A&M along with a number of Big Ten schools. He tweeted that he'll be in Madison for the game, though he has yet to announce a formal scholarship offer from Wisconsin.

I will be attending The Wisconsin vs Iowa game thank you @RoseBrandon_ for the invitation! pic.twitter.com/HoLeAfxXA2
— Judah Blair (@JudahBlair1) October 9, 2025

Another class of 2028 name on campus this weekend is running back Ashton Taylor. He's a Louisville native who's friends with Badgers wide receiver Vinny Anthony.

Taylor is one of the top young running backs in the state of Kentucky, but he also has not been formally offered yet by Wisconsin.

Im locked in this weekend for my GameDay visit to @BadgerFootball. I'm excited to see my guy @VinnyAnthony1 ball out! @PatLambert13 @CoachSpalding_ @TheRealNickOsen @WisFBRecruiting @CoachFick @Badger247 @BishopAltenburg @TomLoy247 @AllenTrieu @CalebSisk_ @GregSmithRivals… pic.twitter.com/c2o3Y1GslM
— Ashton Taylor (@fast_ash7) October 9, 2025

A pair of high school teammates from Detroit have also announced visits for the Iowa game.

Running back Julian Taylor and wide receiver Mylan Griggs are part of the 2028 class at Cass Tech High School and both have scholarship offers from the Badgers.

Excited to announce that I will be at the University Of Wisconsin. Very excited to see the campus and meet the coaches!! @CoachDaws_ @CoachRush_CTFB @Detroit_CTFB @AllenTrieu @TheD_Zone @CoachCulley_27 @CoachSpalding_ pic.twitter.com/xUq5SDWaK0
— Julian (Ju) Taylor (@TM_Ju7) October 7, 2025

Excited to announce that I will be at the University Of Wisconsin. Very excited to see the campus and meet the coaches!! @CoachDaws_ @CoachSpalding_ @CoachRush_CTFB @AllenTrieu @TheD_Zone @Coach_Cash_ @mkopay30 @SWiltfong_ @MIexposure @GregSmithRivals @BadgerFootball pic.twitter.com/dnEiG7sIcD
— Mylan "GoBall" Griggs (@MylanGriggs3) October 8, 2025

One of the in-state recruits that announced his visit for this weekend is defensive lineman McCoy Smith from Waunakee.

The class of 2026 recruit has a preferred walk-on offer from the school, and this summer he participated in one of the Badgers football camps as a tight end and fullback.

Looking forward to being in Madison this Saturday for Wisconsin vs Iowa. ⚪️@CoachJoeLudwig @CoachFick @Wi_Recruiting @NateLetton @WHSWarriorsFB #OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/8yomXIoa66
— McCoy Smith (@McCoySmith14) October 8, 2025

In the class of 2027, wide receiver Amare Patterson from Ridgeland, South Carolina will be at Camp Randall Saturday as Wisconsin competes for his services against offers from Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and others.

Wisconsin This Weekend!! @CoachReid_ @mkopay30 @WisFBRecruiting @BuckyRecruiting @TheRealNickOsen @EliPerezUW @badgers_insider pic.twitter.com/zD931Y0grW
— Amare “AP” Patterson ⭐️⭐️⭐️ WR (@AmarePatterson) October 7, 2025