The Badger Backer Roundup: NFL Raids and the 2027 In-State Push
A costly road loss in Columbus, coaches with Wisconsin ties jump to the NFL, and a breakdown of the 2027 "locked-in" visit list.
This week, the Wisconsin Badgers are balancing the immediate fallout of a flat performance in Columbus with the long-term reality of being a premier coaching pipeline for the NFL.
While the basketball team searches for a spark to protect its Big Ten standing, Luke Fickell has another staff change while ensuring the future remains anchored in Wisconsin, as a massive wave of 2027 targets officially set their sights on Madison for the summer.
From the coaching carousel to the “locked-in” graphics taking over social media, here is the pulse of Wisconsin sports.
Men’s Basketball: Stumble in Columbus
After riding a wave of momentum, the Badgers (18-8, 10-5 B1G) were given a harsh reality check on Tuesday night. Despite being favorites against a short-handed Buckeyes squad, Wisconsin struggled to find its rhythm in an 86-69 loss to Ohio State.
The Box Score: Senior Braeden Carrington provided a spark off the bench with 20 points (including five triples), but the Badgers couldn’t overcome an early 12-point deficit.
Standings Impact: The loss drops Wisconsin to 6th in the Big Ten. With the top four seeds receiving a double-bye in the conference tournament, every game is now “must-win” starting Sunday against Iowa.
🏈 Football: The NFL Coaching Pipeline
While the players are prepping for spring ball, the coaching staff is seeing high-profile movement as the NFL comes calling.
Jordan Reid to ATL: WR coach Jordan Reid is heading to the NFL to join the Atlanta Falcons as an assistant QB coach. Fickell will have to replace Reid, who has been among the Badgers’ top recruiters.
Thomas Hammock to Seattle: Former Badgers RB coach (and NIU Head Coach) Thomas Hammock has resigned his post at NIU to become the RB coach for the Seattle Seahawks. Hammock, a key piece in the Montee Ball/James White/Melvin Gordon era, brings his elite pedigree back to the pros.
Way-Too-Early Bowl Buzz: On3’s Brett McMurphy released 2026 bowl projections this week, slating the Badgers for a trip to the ReliaQuest Bowl to face the Florida Gators.
Combine Bound: A final good luck to Vinny Anthony II and Mason Reiger as they head to Indianapolis for the NFL Combine starting Feb. 23.
🏈 Recruiting: Official Visit Season Begins to Take Shape
It’s no secret that the state of Wisconsin has a handful of highly-touted prospects that the Badgers are trying to keep home. They’ve already received commitment from three 2027 targets, but the Wisconsin coaching staff is putting on the full-court press for others.
Like they do each year, the Badgers host many of their top targets during the first weekend of official visit season. They are already getting to work, locking in official visits with many of their top targets. Four 2027 prospects, including the top-rated player in Wisconsin and Badger-commit, Korz Loken, have posted graphics, locking in their official visits for May 28-31.
In-State Prospects
Korz Loken (TE): The No. 4 tight end in the country and top player in Wisconsin will be on campus playing the role of recruiter, just like he has been since he committed to the Badgers at the All-American Bowl in January. He has been a heavy presence on social media, recruiting his Wisconsin peers to stay home.
Dustin Roach (S): Another current Wisconsin-commit will join Loken and spend his official visit recruiting other visitors to join the Badgers.Kingston Allen (RB): A top target for the Badgers at the running back position. Allen enjoyed a breakout season for Notre Dame (Green Bay), rushing for 3,436 yards and a whopping 57 touchdowns last season.
Isaac Miller (EDGE): Another Wisconsin native who is getting national attention. Miller has offers from some of the biggest schools in the country, but outside linebackers coach Matt Mitchell has put the Badgers in a good spot to keep the Catholic Memorial (Waukesha) product at home. It helps having Roach, his high school teammate, in the fold already.
Other Scheduled Visitors
Mekhi Williams (S): The elite Florida State commit is still listening; he officially locked in his Madison visit for June 12.
Cameron Wagner (OT): A top-15 national tackle, Wagner confirmed he will be on campus April 11 for a pivotal spring visit.
DJ Davis (S/ATH): The 3-star standout from Delaware will be at Wisconsin for a spring visit on March 30.
🤼 Wrestling: Field House Thriller
In case you missed it, the No. 22 Badger wrestlers delivered a signature moment on Sunday, knocking off No. 10 Michigan 19-17.
Statement Win: This was the program’s first top-10 upset since 2023. Luke Mechler provided the heroics with a 4-3 decision in the tiebreakers to seal the victory in front of a raucous home crowd.
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