The Wisconsin Badgers have recruited 2026 high school players from the Hoosier State. The Badgers received three-star commitments from Mishawaka Penn wide receiver Tayshon Bardo, Fishers cornerback Carsen Eloms, and Merrillville Andrean interior offensive lineman Benjamin Novak. Franklin Community defensive lineman Blake Smythe might go with this trio of Indiana high school recruits.
Wisconsin Badgers miss out on 2026 DL Blake Smythe to Indiana
Unfortunately for Wisconsin, Smythe, in a live-streamed commitment video on Instagram, announced he will stay home and play for Curt Cignetti’s Indiana Hoosiers. According to Aaron Ferguson of the Indianapolis Star, Smythe chose Indiana over Illinois, Louisville, Michigan State, and Wisconsin.
Back in March, Smythe attended Junior Day in Wisconsin. The Badger staff made a positive impression on the talented defensive lineman.
So, where do the Badgers turn in recruiting?
Jake Kocorowski of Wisconsin Badgers on SI listed three high school defensive linemen in which the Badgers have shown interest: King Liggins, Yahya Gaad, and Jermaine Polk.
Liggins is a three-star lineman from Brother Rice High School in Chicago, where he holds offers from other Big Ten programs, such as Illinois, Iowa, Purdue, and Rutgers. On April 23rd, Liggins took an official visit to Wisconsin, with defensive line coach E.J. Whitlow listed as his primary recruiter.
Gaad, a previous SMU Mustang commit, plays at South Gibson High School in Medina, Tennessee. Another Big Ten school, UCLA, is considered the favorite, but Gaad has an official Madison visit scheduled after Memorial Day weekend.
Polk is a three-star prospect from St. Francis De Sales in Toledo, Ohio, where Boston College, Iowa State, and Wisconsin are his three top interests. Like Liggins, Whitlow is his main recruiter. Polk will be in Madison for an official visit on June 6th. He has previously visited the campus back in April, where he was offered a scholarship.
While it’s disappointing that Smythe will not sign with Wisconsin, the Badgers’ 2026 recruiting class is still solid, where it sits ranked 42nd among all major college football programs.