The UCLA program is in shambles and not only currently sitting at 0-3 with a fired coach, but for the future as their best commits are now looking elsewhere. One of those recruits is now back on the Wisconsin radar, Yahya Gaad, a 3-star defensive lineman from Tennessee. Luke Fickell needs to prioritize bringing him to Madison in the wake of the decommitment.
I have reopened my recruitment thank you to everyone on the ucla staff for believing in me.
— Yahya Gaad 🌟🌟🌟 (@yahyagaad5) September 14, 2025
Yahya Gaad visited Wisconsin back in May and the Badgers could use another DL recruit
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Gaad had Wisconsin as part of the main schools he was considering and even took a visit to Madison on May 20. Now that he has reopened his recruitment, could another visit be incoming? That's the hope, and yet so far he's only announced two visits to Florida State and Ole Miss.
The big powers in the south have picked up on his recruitment, and rightfully so. Even though he's currently only listed as a 3-star defensive lineman. He's big and only getting bigger at about 260 and 6'5. His frame could easily fill up a bigger body with the right athletic college training program.
His senior year is also off to a hot start as his Hudl page is being filled with highlights to be included in his recruiting tape. He definitely looks like a player who could commit to about any school in the nation and play a role if he continues to develop at the next level.
Fickell needs to make it a priority to bring Gaad into the fold, as the Badgers have been hit or miss in this recruiting cycle along the defensive line. They only have two in the 2026 class, which may be too many for a recruit like Gaad, who shies away, but the Badgers could use about four total to really feel comfortable about the future of the defensive line in the young players.