The Wisconsin Badgers are beginning to focus on the 2027 recruiting cycle much closer as many more talented athletes progress further in the process.
In the new age of college football, the transfer portal has become a vital tool to find game-ready talent in a moments notice without a real need for development or close coaching. However, high school classes present long-term solutions at various positions, as long as the program manages to retain them long enough.
Quarterback has become a position where the Badgers currently have multiple future starters already on the roster. Billy Edwards Jr. is scheduled to fully hand over the position next season to Danny O’Neil, who in turn will hand the position off to Carter Smith after a season or two. With that being said, Wisconsin will likely only look to add one quarterback in the 2027 class and potentially add another veteran through the transfer portal after the conclusion of this season with Ryan Hopkins scheduled to join via the 2026 class.
Multiple targets have already emerged for Wisconsin and two recruits in particular have stood out to the program.
Currently, both Chance Thomas and Israel Abrams are the main quarterbacks that the program has kept close tabs on and an open line of communication with.
Thomas has been the primary quarterback recruit for the Badgers, speaking to coaches almost daily and developing a close bond with everyone he has been around within the program. The California native does not get to experience Madison quite as often as other recruits, but Wisconsin has made the most of each opportunity to speak with Thomas and become close.
The quarterback has become a relationship oriented recruit and believes he needs to fully gel with a staff, program, and the players before considering himself a potential part of the team. Thomas might be very interested in the Badgers, but the recruit appears to be in the process for the long haul and Wisconsin will have to be as well to potentially land a commitment.
Abrams has been another recruit who the Badgers have grown close with, but the window to make an impression may be slowly closing. Abrams is a five-star quarterback and while he already holds a handful of offers, more programs are going to become interested in the near future.
The Badgers need to not only become close with the recruit, but also need to become a constant in his recruitment moving forward if there is any hope of landing a commitment.
Between the two quarterbacks, Thomas is more of a longterm play for the Wisconsin staff and considering his consistent rise in the rankings and his exposure, committing later on in the process is likely. Abrams, however, could be a fast-mover as more and more programs extend offers to the five-star quarterback.
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