Wisconsin Football Aiming to Display 'Big, Big Difference Maker' on Offense During 2025 Season 2 Wisconsin offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes is shown during spring football practice Wednesday, April 23, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin.Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Wisconsin Badgers 2026 Commitment Granted Eligibility Following Big Transfer News

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics
By Jarrett Guerrera | Last updated Aug 5, 2025 11:57 AM ET

The Wisconsin Badgers and a top commitment received great news after the quarterback was cleared to play his senior year following a transfer.

Ryan Hopkins, a three-star quarterback from California, committed to Wisconsin in April and remains the 2026 class quarterback option for the staff. The Wisconsin Badgers shutdown the recruitment of the quarterback position after landing Hopkins, which displayed the belief and trust that the Badgers have in Hopkins being ‘the guy’ in the future.

Hopkins comes from an athletic family with a sister who played collegiate soccer for Vanderbilt and Virginia, and a father who was drafted by the Texas Rangers after playing baseball for Virginia.

The California native rose up the rankings after starring for JSerra Catholic High School and announced a transfer to Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana in January. Mater Dei lost multiple quarterbacks to graduation and were left with one ranked player at the position which led to Hopkins joining the program.

The transfer was set to bring a jump in competition and a chance for Hopkins to prove himself, but then doubt set in after the quarterback was told he may have to sit out his senior season.

Wisconsin Badgers Commitment Ryan Hopkins Cleared to Play for Mater Dei (CA) Following Change of Residence

High school transfers work differently than collegiate transfers as players need to prove a change of residence to attend schools that do not have the ability to recruit. Technically speaking, some private schools and academies have the ability to ‘recruit’ since any student can attend the school. Hopkins, however, needed to provide a change of residence in order to become eligible to play for any high school outside of his previous hometown.

Over a month ago, depth chart projects began to be released for many major high schools and Hopkins was not listed as the possible Mater Dei starter, which casted plenty of doubt on the quarterback playing during the upcoming season. Three-star 2027 Minnesota commitment Furian Inferrera was considered to be the starter while the future remained a question mark for the transfer quarterback Hopkins.

Wisconsin Badgers Football Already Working With Impressive Class of 2029 QB Whose Father is Connected to Luke Fickell 4 Wisconsin receivers Kenny Guiton works with Chris Brooks during a drill during practice on Tuesday April 9, 2024 at the McClain Center in Madison, Wisconsin.

Recently, Hopkins was cleared to play after his official residence change was accepted by the California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section. Hopkins playing out his senior year is a great relief for both the quarterback and the Wisconsin Badgers who feel the recruit needs more time to develop.

The quarterback excelled during his time with JSerra and proved to be both a mobile and capable thrower on the field. Hopkins impressed this past season with his mental development as the game is clearly beginning to slow down for the quarterback. Hopkins has the speed, moves, and vision to fly down the field when needed but is still learning which time is the right time to take-off.

Being able to play a final season against elevated competition is exactly what Hopkins needs before hitting the collegiate ranks. The Wisconsin Badgers recruit should have a successful season after putting in plenty of work and dedication off of the field to improve.

Wisconsin Badgers' Prominent Class of 2028 Target JJ Chapman Thinks He Had Impressive Stint in Front of Coaches, Says He Will Be Back 4 Wisconsin wide receivers coach Kenny Guiton is shown during the second quarter of their game Saturday, October 5, 2024 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat Purdue 52-6.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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