The Badger Backer Roundup: The In-State Wall Stands Tall, Foxwell Commits, and a Landmark Sponsorship
4-star RB Kingston Allen and the Mallinger twins headline a historic 2027 recruiting run, Australian guard Owen Foxwell joins the hoops backcourt, and UW Health makes history with women's sports.
The "In-State Wall" isn't just a recruiting slogan anymore—it’s a reality.
As Luke Fickell’s 2027 class sweeps up the best talent in the Dairy State with the blockbuster commitment of 4-star RB Kingston Allen, Greg Gard has officially gone international to bolster the Badger backcourt with Australian standout Owen Foxwell.
Beyond the roster moves, the energy in Madison is shifting toward a historic new era for women's athletics, thanks to a groundbreaking sponsorship deal with UW Health.
From historic recruiting wins to the high-stakes chess match of the transfer portal, there is no shortage of news to cover. Here is everything you need to know in today’s Badger Backer Roundup.
1. 🏈 Football: The “In-State Wall” Stands Tall
If there were any doubts about Luke Fickell’s mission to own the state of Wisconsin, this week silenced them. The Badgers are putting a literal fence around the state for the class of 2027.
The Mallinger Connection: In a massive “double-dip” for the program, twin offensive linemen Hunter and Reece Mallinger (Sussex Hamilton) officially committed to the Badgers on Wednesday. Standing 6-foot-6 and nearly 290 pounds, the duo adds elite “homegrown beef” to a 2027 class that already features 4-star OT Cole Reiter and 3-star OT Ethan McIntosh.
Kingston Allen Commits: In a massive Friday "Boom" for the program, 4-star running back Kingston Allen (Green Bay Notre Dame) officially committed to the Badgers. Allen is coming off a junior season for the record books, setting a WIAA single-season record with 3,436 rushing yards and 57 touchdowns. He chose Wisconsin over Northwestern and Iowa, solidifying his place as the next great homegrown "RBU" anchor.
The Sweep: With Allen and the Mallingers committed, Wisconsin now has eight commitments for 2027—and all eight are from the state of Wisconsin. Fickell has now secured eight of the top 10 players in the state, catapulting the Badgers' 2027 class into the Top 10 nationally.
2. 🏀 Basketball: Offseason Chess Moves
With the transfer portal officially open, Greg Gard’s staff is balancing immediate roster needs with a very aggressive approach to local high school talent.
Gard Flips an Aussie: Gard quietly added another Australian basketball player to the Badgers’ 2026 roster Friday night after flipping Owen Foxwell from LSU. The 22-year-old ‘freshman’ will join the Wisconsin basketball team with plenty of experience after playing in the NBL for multiple seasons.
Offer to Mr. Basketball: The Badgers officially extended a scholarship offer this week to 2026 Mr. Basketball Zavier Zens. The in-state star is scheduled to take an official visit to Madison on April 13. While UW already has two guards committed for 2026, Zens’ explosive scoring ability makes him a “must-take” prospect.
Portal Priorities: Retention remains the name of the game. While Austin Rapp has already confirmed his return, the staff is heavily scouring the portal for an experienced point guard to replace departing senior Nick Boyd.
WBIT Wrap-Up: A huge tip of the cap to Robin Pingeton and the women’s team. Their postseason run ended in a hard-fought Quarterfinal loss to Columbia, but the momentum gained from upset wins over programs like Miami has the Kohl Center buzzing about the program’s trajectory.
3. 🏥 UW Health Makes History with Women’s Sports
In a landmark move, UW Health has signed on as the first-ever jersey sponsor dedicated exclusively to Wisconsin’s women’s programs.
The Details: Starting in the 2026-27 season, the UW Health logo will appear as a jersey patch on both home and away uniforms for Volleyball, Women’s Basketball, Hockey, and Softball.
A “First-of-its-Kind” Deal: This is the first jersey sponsorship in the country dedicated solely to women’s collegiate athletics. Athletic Director Chris McIntosh noted that the partnership “sends a clear message” about the university’s commitment to the future of women’s sports in Madison.
4. 🥎 Diamond Notes
Softball Resilience: The Badgers continue to grind through the Big Ten slate. After a gritty series win at Penn State, the focus shifts to a heavy home schedule through April, where Emily Bojan looks to extend her impressive on-base streak.
Winning Streak: The Badgers stand 20-11 on the season and are currently on a 5-game winning streak as they continue their series with the Purdue Boilermakers.
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I was really impressed with what the Women's basketball team did this year. They won games they lost in the past and a good run in the post season tournament. Hopefully they invest into NIL for that program.