After flipping 4-star offensive tackle Brady Bekkenhuis yesterday, things are already once again starting heat up on the Wisconsin recruiting trail. Another decommitment has left the Badgers in prime position to land the No. 1 player from the state of Kentucky.
Karsten Busch, the No. 1 overall player in Kentucky and a top-40 linebacker in the country, decommited from Louisville yesterday, and has re-opened his recruitment.
“I’m extremely proud to be born and raised from Louisville, Kentucky,” he wrote on X. “I want to thank the University of Louisville for recruiting me especially Coach Brohm, Coach Ivey and Coach Marrow. After further conversation with my family I am decommiting from the University of Louisville.”
Badgers within reach of another top recruit in 2026
According to Rivals’ Greg Smith, Miami, Vanderbilt and Wisconsin are the top schools to watch as signing day approaches.
Busch has already visited the Badgers this summer, and a few predictions and crystal balls have begun to trickle in favoring Wisconsin. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound linebacker had been committed to the Cardinals since March, but a three-game losing streak has put a damper on Louisville's season. But after breakout years from freshmen Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano, it's easy to see why linebackers would be drawn to Madison.
The true freshmen are inspiring the next wave of true freshmen, but also Wisconsin just won linebacker of the week from the impressive play of Darryl Petersen against Illinois. He was on another level, wrecking the backfield and making a name for himself.
After landing Bekkenhuis, the Badgers' 2026 class currently ranks 62nd in the nation according to 247Sports. A commitment from Busch would not only improve the class, but it would also add a second linebacker. Ben Wenzel, out of Appleton, is currently the only linebacker in the class.