Top-ranked class of 2026 linebacker target includes Badgers in final list

Wisconsin top-ranked class of 2026 linebacker target includes Badgers in final list

Wisconsin top class of 2026 target Tristan Phillips included the Badgers in his list of final schools on Monday.

Phillips joined fellow 2026 four-star recruit Ben Nichols as the second player to include Wisconsin in his final cohort on Monday.

Phillips, who received his offer from the Badgers on April 25, included Wisconsin as a finalist along with Washington, Oklahoma, Arizona State, Oregon and Utah.

When he received his offer, the Ventura, California native was 247Sports’ No. 199 player in the class of 2026, No. 12 linebacker and No. 24 recruit from the state of California. The outlet still considers the junior a top 200 recruit and a four-star prospect.

Like Nichols, Phillips does not hold a 247Sports crystal ball prediction at this stage of his recruitment. On3’s recruiting prediction machine isn’t sure either — UCLA is favored but only holds a 19.7% chance of landing his commitment.

Here’s what 247Sports’ National Recruiting Analyst Greg Biggins had to say about Phillips in his recruiting profile:

“Long athletic ‘backer who also plays basketball. Has a very projectable 6-3, 210 pound frame, is a fluid athlete, runs well and and can hit. Reactionary athlete with some quick twitch to him, can drop, comfortable in space, makes plays sideline to sideline and can get there in a hurry. Attacks line of scrimmage, stands up blockers and has a nice edge to him. Shows the positional versatility to play inside or outside ‘backer and could even move to edge rusher depending on how much bigger he gets over the next few years. High major Power 4 prospect with the talent to play for anyone out West.”

Phillips has certainly showcased this versatility throughout his senior campaign at Ventura High School. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound linebacker has registered 80 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, two sacks and one interception through 11 games.