Which Strong 2027 Wisconsin Football In-State Targets Could the Badgers Secure?

The Wisconsin staff has kept a close eye on the in-state talent with some names standing out more than others early on. While the 2027 class is still just a blip on the radar, the Badgers will need to stay on top of offers and conversations with many in-state recruits early on before major programs begin to join the process.

Which Recruits are Hot, Which Recruits are Cold for the Wisconsin Football Staff in the 2027 Class?

Staying close to home and playing for the school nearest to home was once something every recruit had dreamed about. However, with rapid changes in society, the sport, and NIL payments, keeping the best talent home is harder than ever.

The next two classes (2027, 2028) are both loaded with talent within the state of Wisconsin which means the Badgers will have access to top players in their own backyard. The 2027 cycle in particular could prove to be fruitful for the Wisconsin football staff with the right commitments.

While still early, some in-state recruits who have been close to the Wisconsin program in the 2027 class have been Ethan McIntosh, Hunter Mallinger, and Cole Reiter. McIntosh has a very strong connection to the program due to his father, and losing out on McIntosh would be tough for the Badgers given the head-start. Mallinger and Reiter, however, will be more difficult players to land in the future but each lineman expressed an early interest in the program.

On the flip side, the 2027 class houses plenty of talent that could already be slipping out of reach for the Wisconsin football staff. Tight end Korz Loken and edge rusher Isaac Miller are two recruits who could be particularly difficult to keep close to home. Loken has earned early interest from Auburn, Florida State, and Notre Dame among a handful of other prominent programs.

Miller, on the other hand, is on the cusp of truly blossoming into a complete edge rusher after receiving countless amounts of feedback throughout the off-season. The edge rusher will likely not remain a three-star recruit through the upcoming season, and could level-up his recruitment with another solid season.