Luke Fickell has had a rollercoaster of a 2026 recruiting class. It's been volatile since the middle of the season, and it hasn't slowed down one bit. It's been mostly negative news, but there's been some big flips that have helped patch holes in the class.
Here's what's happening on Early Signing Day (this page will be updated as the day progresses). This is also the order in which Wisconsin announced them.
Players Wisconsin has signed:
1. Arthur Scott -3 star - Defensive Line
Scott was the first player in for Wisconsin, and he's probably going to be the biggest at 6'3, 305 pounds out of Ohio. He's part of the new philosophy for Luke Fickell that the interior of the defensive line needs to be over 300 pounds to compete in the Big Ten.
2. Carsen Eloms - 3 star - Defensive Back
Eloms is one of the high upside cornerbacks that Wisconsin has in the class. He's got speed and is a track star at his high school, too. He's 6'0, 175 pounds, and will add some depth to a thin room.
3. Qwantavius Wiggins - 3 star - Running Back
Wiggins was a recent flip from Florida International University. He's known as "Fatboy" as he's 5'10 and 195 pounds. He's a bruiser but with surprising speed. He's a change of pace back that can also carry the rock as much as needed.
4. Brady Bekkenhuis - 3 star - Offensive Lineman
At one point, there was a good collection of offensive linemen in the 2026 recruiting class; there's a solid chance that Bekkenhuis may be the only one now. Fickell and his team had a few exits midway through the season. Bekkenhuis is a flip from Boston College, and he's a big body that has good tools at 6'6 and 295 pounds.
5. Keeyshawn Tabuteau - 3 star - Wide Receiver
Tabuteau is one of the best players in the class, and he's also the most recent flip. Fickell and coach Jordan Reid were able to convince him to leave his in-state school, Vanderbilt, to come up to Madison. He's a star on the field with video game numbers and with great size at 5'11 and 165.
6. Zion Legree - 3 star - Defensive Back
The official Wisconsin football X account called him "Catch everything" in their description of his signing. He's one of the few players out of Florida in this class, and he comes in at 6'0 and 190 pounds.
7. Djidjou Bah - 3 star - Defensive Line
A month ago, this one would have felt like a surprise signing. He committed to Wisconsin back in the summer but has been waffling for months, visiting other schools, and continuing to act like his recruitment was wide open. However, in the past couple of weeks, he's declared he's all-in on Wisconsin. It's a good addition for Luke Fickell and important to keep him locked in.
8. Ben Wenzel - 3 star - Linebacker
Wenzel is one of the local boys from Appleton, Wisconsin. He's 6'3 and 215 pounds. He is looking to be another great linebacker out of the state of Wisconsin.
9. Yahya Gaad - 3 star - Outside Linebacker
Gaad is a stud edge rusher who originally committed to UCLA but began exploring Wisconsin when the Bruins fired their head coach. Gaad has been locked in with Luke Fickell ever since. He's another recruit out of Tennessee and measures in at 6'5 and 260.
10. Donovan Dunmore - 3 star - Defensive Back
Luke Fickell was able to get Dunmore a couple of months ago in a flip from Oregon State. This room needs so much help and Dunmore is a great addition.
11. Jack Sievers - 3 star - Tight End
A multiple sport athlete out in Washington who has made a name for himself both blocking and catching. He's 6'4 and 230 pounds.
12. Ryan Hopkins - 3 star - Quarterback
It took a bit longer for the West Coast signal caller to get his LOI in but he's officially in the class and is one of the top quarterbacks coming out of high school in 2026. Fans are hoping this is finally the development project at QB that the program has been missing under Luke Fickell.
13. Taylor Schaefer - 3 star - Linebacker
Schaefer wasn't announced during the signing day press conference, but according to Evan Flood, Pat Lambert said Schaefer has signed. The 3-star JUCO linebacker is also a local player who's made his way back home after two years in junior college. He's projected to be a MIKE linebacker at Wisconsin.
14. Kah'ni Watts - 3 star - Safety
Watts was a bonus flip that came the day after. He's a 6'2, 170-pound safety out of Texas. He has the ability to really mess up an opponent's offense, playing both sides in high school, and having some of those instincts of a wide receiver.
Players Wisconsin lost:
1. Amari Latimer - 4 star - Running back
Latimer flipped to West Virginia in a last minute decision. Read more about that here.
Players Wisconsin is waiting on:
N/A. Everyone has been accounted for now.