Wisconsin makes final schools for coveted class of 2026 safety
The Wisconsin Badgers made the top four schools for highly-touted class of 2026 safety Kaden Gebhardt on Tuesday.
The Badgers cracked Gebhardt’s final crop of schools alongside Ohio State, Penn State and Clemson. He becomes the third top-ranked prospect to include the Badgers in his list of finalists dating back to Jan. 25, joining four-star offensive linemen Tyler Merrill and Carter Scruggs.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound defensive playmaker received his offer from UW back on Feb. 2, 2024. The Badgers were one of his first Power Four offers at the time.Since then, the Olentangy High School product received offer 20 offers from programs including Oklahoma, Illinois, Missouri, Ole Miss, Nebraska, USC, OSU and PSU.
247Sports considers Gebhardt the No. 216 overall recruit in the class of 2026, the No. 17 safety and the No. 8 prospect from his home state of Ohio. Through 11 games with Olentangy in 2024, Gebhardt tallied 94 total tackles, 32 solo tackles, six tackles for loss, five pass deflections and two interceptions.
NEWS: Class of 2026 Safety Kaden Gebhardt is down to 4 Schools, he tells me for @on3recruits
The 6’2 195 S from Lewis Center, OH is down to Ohio State, Clemson, Penn State, & Wisconsin
As of Jan. 28, Penn State appears to be the favorite to land the talented defender. On3’s recruiting prediction machine gives the Nittany Lions a 68.2% chance to earn a commitment. Zero Rivals nor 247Sports insiders have released forecasts for where he’ll land.
Still, Wisconsin’s inclusion in the top four is an indication of the Badgers’ recruiting efforts. The team landed in Gebhardt’s zone of interest months before all three of his other finalists entered the race.
As of Jan. 28, UW’s class of 2026 features one commitment from three-star offensive lineman Benjamin Novak.
Wisconsin veteran one of 247Sports’ top 10 Big Ten wide receivers for 2025
Wisconsin wide receiver Vinny Anthony II was included in 247Sports’ top 10 Big Ten wide receivers for the 2025 season on Tuesday.
The outlet listed the fourth-year Badger as the No. 9 wide receiver in the conference ahead of Oregon’s Dakorien Moore (No. 10). He was then ranked behind Rutgers’ Ian Strong (No. 8), Nebraska’s Dane Key (No. 7), Washington’s Denzel Boston (No. 6), Michigan State’s Nick Marsh (No. 5), Ohio State’s Carnell Tate (No. 4), USC’s Makai Lemon (No. 3), Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt (No. 2) and Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith (No. 1).
Last season, Anthony orchestrated the most impressive season of his career with 39 catches for a team-leading 672 receiving yards and four scores. His 17.2 yards per catch ranked fourth in the conference, plus was the highest season total from any Wisconsin wide receiver since 2005
With Will Pauling (Notre Dame) and C.J. Williams (Stanford) both leaving via the transfer portal, Anthony is set to become Badger quarterback Billy Edwards Jr.’s top target under newly-hired offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes during the 2025 season.
While Grimes boasts an offensive line background in his previous coaching assignments, Kansas’ offense ranked in the top 10 in the nation with 14.2 yards per completion. Anthony’s deep-ball tendencies and burning speed should benefit from Grimes’ offensive philosophy.
Transfers Jayden Ballard and Mark Hamper, and slot receiver Trech Kekahuna are slated to start alongside Anthony this season.
Wisconsin makes final schools for top-150 class of 2026 offensive tackle
The Wisconsin Badgers made the top 12 schools for top-ranked class of 2026 offensive tackle Carter Scruggs on Sunday.
The Badgers cracked Scruggs’ list of finalists alongside Oregon, Oklahoma, USC, Clemson, Michigan, Alabama, Virginia Tech, Miami, Penn State, South Carolina and Georgia.
Scruggs becomes the second top-rated offensive lineman to include the Badgers in his list of finalists in the last week, joining four-star offensive lineman Tyler Merrill.
The 6-foot-6, 270-pound playmaker received his offer from UW on Dec. 4 — the same day as its early signing day for its class of 2025. 247Sports considers Scruggs the No. 134 overall recruit in the class, the No. 8 iOL and the No. 5 prospect from his home state of Virginia.
As of Jan. 26, Penn State appears to be the favorite to land the four-star recruit. On3’s recruiting prediction machine gives the Nittany Lions an 84% chance to earn a commitment, plus three Rivals insiders have released forecasts in early November projecting that exact conclusion.
Still, Wisconsin’s inclusion in the top 12 suggests Luke Fickell’s program is alive in the recruiting race. Big Ten powers Michigan, Oregon and PSU stand in the way, but the program’s history in producing some of the sport’s greatest offensive linemen should factor in to Scruggs’ decision.
As of Dec. 4, UW’s class of 2026 features one commitment from three-star iOL Benjamin Novak.
247Sports ranks the four-star prospect as the No. 87 player in the class of 2026, the No. 7 interior offensive lineman and the No. 2 recruit from the state of Pennsylvania.
The recruiting service has yet to issue any predictions for his landing spot. On3’s prediction machine, on the other hand, gives Notre Dame a 76.2% chance to land his commitment. Notably, longtime Wisconsin assistant Joe Rudolph currently coaches the Fighting Irish offensive line.
Wisconsin currently has one player committed in the class of 2026: three-star interior offensive lineman Benjamin Novak. That is the case after quarterback Jarin Mock decommitted following changes to Wisconsin’s offensive staff.
Luke Fickell and his staff are working to continue a strong run on the recruiting trail. The program finished the 2024 cycle at No. 25 in the nation (with a Blue-Chip Ratio of 50%), then finished 2025 at No. 29.
The Badgers have done well to make Merrill’s final schools. They now will face significant competition to land his commitment.
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Former Wisconsin linebackers coach accepts new position under former Badger assistant
This story was updated to add new information.
Former Wisconsin and Stanford inside linebackers coach Mark D’Onofrio has been hired to the same position at UCF, the program announced Friday.
D’Onofrio goes from working under one former Wisconsin assistant to another. At Stanford, he worked under defensive coordinator Bobby April III (Wisconsin OLBs coach from 2018-22). He joins a UCF defensive staff led by Alex Grinch (Wisconsin safeties coach in 2024).
D’Onofrio spent one season with the Badgers (2022). He was one of Paul Chryst’s offseason hires entering that season, replacing longtime inside linebackers coach Bob Bostad after he moved to the offensive line. The 2022 season did not go as planned for the Badgers or anyone on the coaching staff. Chryst was fired in early October after a 2-3 start.
The veteran defensive coach followed April to Stanford after the 2022 season concluded. The program elected to not renew his contract following its 3-9 2024 campaign, instead hiring Andy Thompson to the position.
D’Onofrio moves to UCF under defensive coordinator Grinch and first-year coach Scott Frost. He and Grinch did not overlap during their time with the Badgers. Grinch spent the 2024 season with the program after several years as defensive coordinator under Lincoln Riley at Oklahoma (2019-21) and USC (2022-23).
Stanford LB coach Mark D'Onofrio named to same position at UCF
UCF will be D’Onofrio’s eighth coaching stop. He was the linebackers coach at Rutgers from 2001-03, tight ends (2004) and inside linebackers coach (2005) at Virginia, defensive coordinator at Temple (2006-2010), defensive coordinator at Miami (2011-15) and defensive coordinator at Houston (2017-18). Those stops preceded his stints at Wisconsin (2022) and Stanford (2023-24).
Mike Tressel has held Wisconsin’s inside linebackers coach title along with his primary role as defensive coordinator for each of the past two seasons. He enters 2025 in the same role.
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Wisconsin is coming off a disappointing 5-7 campaign that was the program’s first non-bowl season since 2001. It was also the first year since 1996 that the Badgers didn’t spend a single week ranked in the AP Top 25.
Any spin of the program’s 2024 campaign is likely to be negative. The lasting positives were the team’s close games against top-ranked Oregon and Penn State. Those results were quickly followed, however, by losses to rivals Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota by a combined margin of 110-42.
Wisconsin enters 2025 with new faces in important positions. Jeff Grimes takes over as offensive coordinator after Phil Longo’s firing. He’ll enter the year with former Maryland starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. under center and a host of promising transfer pass-catchers.
They will line up against, as mentioned, one of the toughest schedules in the sport. ESPN’s way-too-early top 25 projects six ranked opponents on the Badgers’ schedule, with another two right outside that tier.
Here are those ranked matchups, per ESPN’s early forecast:
Eight of Wisconsin’s 12 games are against teams that project somewhere inside the sport’s top 30. Contests against Miami (Ohio), Middle Tennessee, Maryland and Minnesota are the only games that do not qualify in that category.
Much will change between now and kickoff for Week 1. An early thought entering preseason preparation: Wisconsin would do extremely well to return to six wins and bowl eligibility.
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Wisconsin football has numerous connections to Ohio State vs. Notre Dame national title
The Wisconsin Badgers will sit idle on Monday night as Ohio State and Notre Dame meet for the national title.
Wisconsin finished the 2024 season at 5-7, missing a bowl game for the first time since 2001. It was the program’s first season since 1996 without spending a single week ranked in the AP Poll.
Head coach Luke Fickell made significant changes to his coaching staff after the 2024 season concluded. He hired Kansas’ Jeff Grimes to fill the vacant offensive coordinator position, moved Kenny Guiton to quarterbacks coach and promoted Jack Cooper to safeties coach, among other moves. That was followed by a busy winter transfer cycle, highlighted by a top-down overhaul of the quarterback room.
While we await spring practice and an early glimpse at what 2025 has in store, it’s worth noting Wisconsin’s connections to the Ohio State vs. Notre Dame matchup in the final game of the 2024 season.
We’ve already outlined Luke Fickell’s numerous connections on the Notre Dame coaching staff. In summary, the Fighting Irish are led by nearly his entire support staff from his time at Cincinnati. But there are several additional Wisconsin football program and in-state connections to note.
Here is a full look at those connections, organized by team:
Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day leads warm ups prior to the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against the Oregon Ducks at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 1, 2025. Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Players:
Starting center Carson Hinzman (Four-star class of 2022 recruit. Hammond, Wisconsin native. Chose the Buckeyes over the Badgers)
Hinzman is the only Wisconsin connection on the Ohio State roster. The Badgers, on the other hand, have several former Buckeyes on the team and the coaching staff. Luke Fickell (head coach), Kenny Guiton (quarterbacks) and Tuf Borland (assistant) all played at Ohio State, as did incoming transfer WR Jayden Ballard.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Dec 20, 2024; Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman during the third quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images
Players:
Starting left guard Billy Schrauth (Four-star class of 2022 recruit. Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin native. Chose the Fighting Irish over the Badgers)
Coaches:
Head coach Marcus Freeman (Luke Fickell’s defensive coordinator at Cincinnati from 2017-20)
Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock (Fickell’s offensive coordinator at Cincinnati from 2017-21)
Quarterbacks coach Gino Guidugli (Fickell’s quarterbacks coach at Cincinnati from 2018-22, offensive coordinator in 2022)
Mike Brown (Fickell’s wide receivers coach at Cincinnati from 2019-22, at Wisconsin in 2023)
Joe Rudolph (Played at Wisconsin from 1991-94. Was Wisconsin’s tight ends coach from 2008-11, offensive coordinator from 2015-21)
Schrauth and Hinzman are the two notable in-state recruits who left for the Fighting Irish and Buckeyes, respectively. Both have excelled in starting roles this season.
Notre Dame’s staff, as noted, is littered with Fickell’s former assistants. Rudolph is also a significant connection — he was Paul Chryst’s offensive coordinator for nearly his entire head coaching tenure at both Pittsburgh and Wisconsin.
Notre Dame and Ohio State are set for a 7:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
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Former Wisconsin football staffer named head coach of Paris Musketeers
Former Wisconsin football staffer Jack Del Rio is the new head coach of the European League of Football’s Paris Musketeers, according to Adam Schefter.
Del Rio spent most of the 2024 season with the Badgers as a senior adviser to head coach Luke Fickell. He resigned on Nov. 11 after an OWI arrest.
The longtime NFL coach began his career as an assistant strength coach with the New Orleans Saints in 1997. He then rose to become the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2003-11, and then of the Oakland Raiders from 2015-17.
His most recent NFL stint was as defensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders from 2020-23.
The European League of Football, founded in 2020, played its first season in 2021. Eight teams were part of that inaugural season. The league now has 16 teams entering 2025. The Musketeers were one of several to join in 2023.
Former Jaguars and Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio has been named the head coach of the Paris Musketeers of the European League of Football. pic.twitter.com/LFhTyR9AIG
The Musketeers went 10-2 during the 2024 season, falling to the Vienna Vikings in the league’s semifinals. Former head coach Marc Mattioli left after the season for the defensive coordinator vacancy at Kennesaw State.
Former San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Tomsula is the other notable NFL name roaming a European League of Football sideline (Rhein Fire). His team was the league’s champion in 2024.
Wisconsin, meanwhile, has made several coaching staff changes since the conclusion of the 2024 season. The program hired Kansas offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes to the same position, moved Kenny Guiton to quarterbacks coach, hired Jordan Reid as wide receivers coach and promoted Jack Cooper to safeties coach. These moves follow the team’s disappointing 5-7 finish to the 2024 season — the program’s first bowl-less campaign since 2001.
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Report: Wisconsin football hires new defensive assistant
Wisconsin football is reportedly hiring Western Michigan defensive coordinator Scott Power as a defensive assistant, according to a report from FootballScoop’s John Brice.
Power spent the 2024 season leading the Broncos’ defense after several years as defensive coordinator at Louisiana Tech. That followed stints as DC at Stephen F. Austin, Texas A&M Commerce, Central Washington and Marian.
The experienced defensive coach is one of several new hires joining Wisconsin’s defensive staff. Since the conclusion of the 2024 season, Luke Fickell tabbed Jack Cooper as the program’s new safeties coach, plus hired former Ohio State standout Tuf Borland as assistant linebackers coach.
Power is the second Western Michigan assistant to leave for the Badgers this offseason, following wide receivers coach Jordan Reid.
Holding on to good coaching talent at the G5 level is not easy…
Fickell’s offseason changes to the offensive staff include the hire of Jeff Grimes as offensive coordinator, the promotion of Kenny Guiton to quarterbacks coach, the hire of Reid, and the hire of assistants Joe Ludwig (tight ends) and Blake Rolan (wide receivers).
Wisconsin will enter 2025 with that revamped staff after the program finished the 2024 season at 5-7, missing a bowl game for the first time since 2001. Many of Fickell’s changes were made to reverse a trajectory currently pointed in the wrong direction.
Power will work with a defensive unit that finished that 2024 campaign allowing 23.1 points per game (46th in the nation). The unit struggled during the team’s five-game losing streak to close the season, allowing point totals of 28 to Penn State, 42 to Iowa, 16 to Oregon, 44 to Nebraska and 24 to Minnesota. The depth chart is set to look different in 2025 after a busy winter transfer window.
The Badgers open their 2025 schedule at home against Miami (OH). They then face Middle Tennessee and travel to Alabama before beginning a gauntlet conference schedule.
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Wisconsin football top-ranked class of 2026 edge rusher target commits to Big 12 program
Wisconsin top class of 2026 target Hunter Higgins announced his commitment to Kansas on Wednesday.
On Dec. 13, the three-star defensive lineman narrowed his final list of collegiate landing spots down to Wisconsin, Nebraska, Michigan and Kansas. He ultimately chose the hometown Jayhawks.
Lance Leipold’s crew first emerged as the front-runner in early January when several recruiting analysts, including 247Sports’ Michael Swain and Rivals’ Jon McNamara, released forecasts linking Higgins to Kansas.
Higgins becomes the third highly-touted 2026 Badger recruit to commit elsewhere since Dec. 24. Other notable ones include top-ranked offensive lineman Ben Nichols choosing Notre Dame and running back Shahn Alston committing to USC.
BREAKING: Kansas has landed a commitment from top in-state recruit Hunter Higgins. He picked #KUfball over finalists Michigan, Nebraska and Wisconsin.
247Sports’ composite ranking currently considers Higgins the No. 429 overall recruit in the class of 2026, No. 32 edge and and No. 4 prospect from his home state of Kansas.
Including Higgins, the Badgers have offered 24 total edge rusher prospects in the class of 2026. The program boats one commitment in the class at this early stage in the recruiting cycle.
https://t.co/frISuitahJ pic.twitter.com/uEiMz21ujt
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