Luke Fickell is riding a recruiting high from the 2027 class. It's a top-25 national class with some really big names in the group. He's got the recruiting humming for Wisconsin, and 2028 is already off to a bang with a 4-star linebacker named Cale Britt out of Florida. However, the prediction machine over at On3.com has the Badgers as one of the co-favorites for a 5-star edge rusher. Yes, you heard that right, a 5-star player...Jalanie George, the No. 2 overall player in the class for 2028.
On3 has George as the No. 2 player and the No. 1 edge rusher in the 2028 class. 24/7 Sports has George as the No. 9 player and No. 2 edge rusher. Either way, Wisconsin is swimming in waters they normally aren't in with George. There's a big reason for it; let's get to that below. But also, let's look at who Wisconsin is up against to bring George to Wisconsin.
Oh? 👀 pic.twitter.com/j1YsYFK548
— Dr. Marte (@Badgers_44) July 24, 2026
5-star Jalanie George's recruitment has been a strange one and that may be good for Fickell
Related: Luke Fickell is on the verge of landing another important 2028 Wisconsin recruit
George is only going into his junior year, so he still has plenty of time to figure out what's next and where he wants to attend. He's getting attention from all the big players and has 35 offers from all the biggest schools. George even narrowed his list at one point to six: Auburn, Ohio State, Washington, Miami, Oklahoma, and Florida. Yet, he didn't stop letting schools get in the mix.
Wisconsin has been hanging around his school recruiting Yahzeen Zion and Nathan Jones. The overlap with Matt Mitchell has happened, and Mitchell was even able to get George to Wisconsin on an unofficial visit in June. That visit may have helped a ton with his recruitment; it also probably helps that he watched two edge rushers in the class above him at his high school go to Wisconsin.
While Wisconsin getting a 12% chance on On3's recruiting page isn't that strong, it's the highest percentage next to Ole Miss. So, even being in the mix is wildly important for Fickell and the Badgers. Can Fickell actually pull off the stunner? The next steps will be really telling.
If George decides to set up an official visit to Wisconsin, that will signal a shift towards the Badgers being a final school. If George makes it to campus for a game and takes part in Jump Around, that will also be telling. It will also be something if George decides to change his list or narrow his list, as the recruitment nears.
The other thing to watch for is how much of a role Zion and Jones play in his recruitment, how involved they are. This is their senior year, and they will be part of the rotation with George; there's going to be some push to get all three of them as a package to the Badgers. At least Zion and Jones will work towards it.
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