The Badger Backer Roundup: A Recruiting Heater, a QB Rising, and Postseason Stakes
The trenches get a massive boost, Ryan Hopkins takes center stage, and Softball prepares for a B1G tournament run in Maryland.
Spring ball for the Wisconsin football team wrapped up, and spring sports are starting postseason play, and as always, recruiting continues as a year-round event.
Here’s a look at the state of the Badgers for Monday May, 4th.
🏈 Football: Recruiting Hot Streak
The Badgers’ recruiting momentum is reaching a fever pitch, with Luke Fickell and his staff securing four major commitments in just one week.
The Newest Additions:
Will Zaccagnino (2027): The Badgers landed a commitment from the three-star Connecticut native. Zaccagnino is a high-motor defender known for his versatility; he possesses the frame to evolve into a disruptive force at either defensive end or as a hybrid edge rusher.
David Hill (2027): A massive 300-pound DL prospect from Illinois who chose UW over heavy pursuit from the SEC and Big 12.
DJ Davis (2027): A hard-hitting safety out of Delaware who will help continue adding pieces to the safety room.
Julius Pope (2026): The nation’s No. 1 JUCO RB is Madison-bound, providing an immediate physical presence for the 2026 backfield.
The “Hopkins Hype”: Freshman QB Ryan Hopkins made headlines throughout the spring, looking more polished than an incoming true freshman normally would. He has shown poise and a deep-ball touch that have coaches viewing him as a potential cornerstone of the offense sooner than expected.
Fall Camp Relocation: In a significant shift from previous years, the Badgers will not return to Platteville for training camp. Instead, the team will be looking for a new location for camp before the start of the regular season.
🏀 Basketball: Decision Day for a 4-Star
Donovan Davis Decision: On Wednesday, May 6th, the 4-star forward (and top-2 prospect in the state) will announce his commitment between a final five of Wisconsin, Iowa State, Marquette, Nebraska, and Iowa. Keeping this elite local talent home would be the biggest win of the cycle for Greg Gard.
Joe Tipton@JoeTiptonNEWS: Donovan Davis, Rivals’ No. 32 overall recruit in the 2027 class, is down to five schools and will announce his college commitment on May 6th, he told @Rivals. The 6-7 forward will decide between Iowa, Nebraska, Iowa State, Marquette, and Wisconsin.
3:30 PM · May 1, 2026 · 577K Views109 Replies · 107 Reposts · 1.93K LikesRoster Stability: The program officially confirmed that Nolan Winter and Austing Rapp will return for the 2026-27 season, ensuring the Badgers retain a veteran core in the frontcourt. Jack Janicki, Will Garlock, Hayden Jones, and Zach Kinziger are all officially returning as well.
⛳ Golf: Big Ten Championship Wrap
The Men’s Golf team traveled to North Plains, Oregon, to compete at the prestigious Pumpkin Ridge Golf Course.
Team Finish: The Badgers finished T-16th (+38) in an 18-team field that was bolstered by the addition of new conference powerhouses UCLA and Washington.
Individual Standout: Graduate student Jacob Beckman saved his best for last, finishing the tournament T-12th (+2). His steady play throughout the weekend kept the Badgers competitive in a field that featured 16 top-100 programs.
🥎 Softball: Postseason in the DMV
After a historic offensive regular season, the Badgers are heading to College Park, Maryland, for the Big Ten Tournament.
Regular Season Recap: Wisconsin finished the year with a strong 30-18 record (14-10 in Big Ten play). The team set new program benchmarks for runs scored (136) and RBI (124) during the conference slate.
Tournament Preview:
Seed: No. 7
Opponent: No. 10 seed Purdue
When: Wednesday, May 6 @ 4:30 PM CT (Big Ten Network)
The Matchup: The Badgers took two of three from the Boilermakers in April. If they advance, a date with No. 2 seed Oregon awaits in the quarterfinals.
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