4-star running back Kingston Allen committed to the Wisconsin Badgers today, the top player in the state, and the eighth now that Luke Fickell has brought in from in-state. It's a huge grab, and one that signals big things are coming together again for the Badgers. He's not the first 4-star running back from Wisconsin with the last name Allen to become a Badger.
Shortly after Kingston committed, Braelon Allen, a Wisconsin legend, shouted out this exact fact on social media. He posted on top of Kingston Allen's commitment post, "Homegrown Allen's at RBU >>>>>>>>." He's clearly fired up that Wisconsin was able to bring home another top in-state recruit that shares his last name.
Homegrown Allen’s at RBU >>>>>>>> https://t.co/WWX2mJ2vnI
— Braelon Allen (@BraelonAllen) April 3, 2026
Kingston Allen just got high praise from Braelon Allen after his commitment to the Badgers
Kingston was quick to reply to one of his favorite Wisconsin Badgers, "Awesome to see love from one of the greats!!!" In fact, one of the reasons Kingston decided to play at Wisconsin was because of his drive to be one of the next greats at RBU. He told Evan Flood, "Being the next Melvin Gordon or Braelon Allen is such a cool concept to me.”
He also told Nick Osen, "You look at Melvin Gordon, and guys like Braelon Allen, they all came from Wisconsin, homegrown. That is what I am going to try to be next.” The desire to carry the torch and be the next great in-state running back to play for the Badgers is a driving force.
Awesome to see love from one of the greats!!! https://t.co/iiE1iUrstr
— Kingston Allen (@KingstonAllen17) April 3, 2026
This hasn't been the standard in the last few years at Wisconsin, especially since Luke Fickell took the helm. The in-state recruiting has been abysmal, and the best players have been going elsewhere. However, something changed in this recruiting class, and Fickell has been able to get nearly all the best players to stay home. Wisconsin now has commitments from the No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, and 10th-best players in the state (via 24/7 Sports).
Wisconsin was built on the back of homegrown kids staying home and playing for the Badgers. Now, it seems as if that will be the solution to the rebuild. Kingston Allen is becoming the next Braelon Allen, so a future high school player can say he wants to be the next Kingston Allen, this is the dream. This is the goal.