Wisconsin defensive line coach E.J. Whitlow is shown during spring football practice Thursday, April 25, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Badgers football team plays their season opener against Western Michigan on August 31. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

Wisconsin Badgers 2026 EDGE commit flirting with Ole Miss on official visit

Originally posted on Wisconsin Badgers on SI
By Lorin Cox | Last updated May 31, 2025 6:20 AM ET

The Wisconsin Badgers have one edge rusher committed in their 2026 recruiting class.

But he might not be as committed as the verbal agreement might suggest.

Three-star edge rusher Carmelow Reed from Illinois announced his commitment to Wisconsin in early April.

BREAKING: Three-star edge rusher Carmelow Reed committed to the #Badgers on Saturday.

Had SEC offers from LSU, Ole Miss, Missouri, and more.

"I feel like Wisconsin will really be home for me."

Reed breaks down his decision here: https://t.co/w1Ep62VjqF pic.twitter.com/ymMFeRgIUO
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) April 8, 2025

It's not uncommon for a committed player to still take official visits at other schools, but his trip to Ole Miss this weekend could have a little more behind it.

According to Greg Smith from Rivals, Reed was swayed by the Mississippi coaching staff to keep an open mind.

"[Defensive line] coach [Randall] Joyner came and saw me workout and made an impression on me," Reed told Rivals. "So I didn’t want to sell myself short on recruitment and just seeing what else is out there.”

Game on in this recruitment. Got a note from Reed on this:

“Coach Joyner came and saw me workout and made an impression on me so I didn’t want to sell myself short on recruitment and just seeing what else is out there.”@Jon__McNamara / @NealMcCready https://t.co/YROh7Hn9cA
— Greg Smith (@GregSmithRivals) May 30, 2025

The Rebels were one of the top teams that had offered him a scholarship, along with the likes of LSU and Missouri.

Reed is scheduled to make his official visit to Wisconsin on the weekend of June 6, and it will be up to defensive line coach E.J. Whitlow and Luke Fickell to make sure they sell him on the Badgers and cement his commitment to the program.

If not, their 2026 recruiting class could take a step in the wrong direction.