Sep 4, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin stands with the team before taking the field prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Wisconsin Badgers recruiting DB who decommitted from Penn State after James Franklin firing

Originally posted on Wisconsin Badgers on SI
By Lorin Cox | Last updated Oct 23, 2025 11:07 AM ET

The Wisconsin Badgers are swooping in to try and take a former Penn State commit who is available again after the Nittany Lions fired James Franklin.

Three-star defensive back Julian Peterson from New Jersey posted on social media Wednesday that he received an offer from Wisconsin and safeties coach Jack Cooper.

Blessed to receive an offer from the University of Wisconsin @chillbelton @CoachLewis_shec @BrianDohn247 @adamgorney @SWiltfong_ @winslowtwpfb @CoachJCooper pic.twitter.com/zUaqvdHWrX
— Julian Peterson (@Julian_athlete) October 23, 2025

The announcement came just a few hours after he publicly announced he was de-committing from Penn State and re-opening his recruitment.

After much thought and discussion with family, I have decided to decommit from Penn State and reopen my recruitment. I want to thank Coach Franklin and the rest of the coaching staff for believing in me and the opportunity. I am looking forward to what the future holds.
— Julian Peterson (@Julian_athlete) October 22, 2025

Listed at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, Peterson is rated as the No. 51 cornerback in the country by both Rivals and 247 Sports.

He committed to the Nittany Lions in January despite offers from other major programs like Georgia.

Wisconsin was not the only school to jump back into recruiting him as soon as he became available. Right before announcing his Badgers offer, he also posted offers from Clemson and North Carolina.

Other Big Ten schools that pursued Peterson previously include Maryland and Minnesota.

Luke Fickell has two cornerback commits for the class of 2026 in Carson Eloms from Indiana and the recently added Donovan Dunmore from California.

Wisconsin doesn't have any true safeties committed for next year, so the pursuit from assistant coach Jack Cooper could signal the Badgers see Peterson playing on the back end.

This article first appeared on Wisconsin Badgers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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