The Badger Backer

The Badger Backer

The Recruiting Trail Report: Badgers lose two commits, a promising start to 2027 & more

Your latest snapshot of all the commitment updates, official visits, and key decisions impacting the Wisconsin Badgers.

Christian Borman's avatar
Christian Borman
Nov 19, 2025
∙ Paid
Wisconsin football coach AJ Blazek teaches technique during fall camp. Photo via Christian Borman - Badger Backer

The Wisconsin football season is a great metaphor for how things are going for the program on the recruiting trail. The product on the field this season just hasn’t been up to par with what everyone was expecting, even with the schedule that they had.

The 2026 class reflects that. With just 15 committed players as of a week ago, things continue to trend downwards in this cycle.

Wisconsin loses two offensive line recruits within days of each other

The 2026 class had just three offensive linemen a week ago. Now, they are down to one: Aiden Dirksen, a walk-on from Bay Port, Wisconsin.

Both Maddox Cochrane and Ben Novak have decommitted from the Badgers within days of each other.

Maddox Cochrane, a 3-star offensive tackle from Richmond, Virginia, decommitted from Wisconsin on Monday, November 15th, after being committed to the Badgers since April.

The 6-7 offensive tackle is the 82nd-ranked player at his position and 957th overall player in the country, according to the 247Sports composite rankings. He holds offers from Florida State, Duke, Maryland, Virginia, and a handful of other Power 4 schools.

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