Wisconsin Badgers lose key DL commit and Deion Sanders is partly to blame

With the Early Signing Period sneaking up on us, Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell is looking to put the finishing touches on his 2025 recruiting class. Unfortunately for him and his coaching staff, it's time to look for some more defensive line help.

The Badgers had a verbal from Miami, Fla. product Wilnerson Telemaque, but he decommitted from the program on Monday night. This stings a little for Fickell and Co., as the 6-6, 255-pounder had been on board since June and it looked like he'd be putting the pen to paper with the team in December.

However, anything can change with recruiting at the drop of a dime. In an article from 247's Evan Flood earlier this month, Telemaque told him that he was getting plenty of attention from other programs despite being committed to Wisconsin.

This included attention from Deion Sanders' Colorado, who were working overtime in trying to get him to take an official visit. Colorado will surely ramp up their efforts now that Telemaque is 100 percent open with his recruitment.

DL Wilnerson Telemaque has decommitted from the Wisconsin Badgers

"I'm locked in with Wisconsin, but I'm bored (laugh). Colorado is pushing for an OV. Minnesota is a possibility. There's other programs."

- Telemaque told Flood

Minnesota is another program pushing for Telemaque, while other schools are involved too. Ranked three stars, the big-bodied defensive lineman is a touted prospect, as he has picked up offers from Wisconsin, Colorado, Minnesota, Georgia Tech, West Virginia and many others this cycle. Matter of fact, he holds 36 offers to his name.

With Telemaque now no longer Wisconsin-bound, the Badgers hold 24 known pledges for the '25 haul - they're in a great spot recruiting wise, but more work needs to be done. According to the 247Sports Composite, Wisconsin holds the No. 28 class in the nation.