Wisconsin is in a recruiting battle for one of the nation's top high school running backs in the 2026 class. Shahn Alston plans to announce his commitment on January 11 in San Antonio when he takes part in the All-American Bowl in San Antonio. He is down to three schools: Wisconsin, USC, and Penn State.
Where’s home? @On3USC @SSchraderOn3 @MarcKulkin @PennStateOn3 @SeanFitzOn3 @WisFBRecruiting @Wi_Recruiting https://t.co/C8JGBMw965
— Shahn Alston (@shahnalston3) January 3, 2025
Shahn Alston will commit on Jan. 11 and is down to Wisconsin, USC, and Penn State.
Alston is a 4-star running back from Painesville, Ohio and has offers all over the country. Many are high on him choosing to go play for the Trojans but Luke Fickell and staff are not out of it yet. They would love to add a running back of his caliber to the 2026 class. Devon Spalding has been the main recruiter for Alston from the Wisconsin coaching staff.
24/7 Sports has one crystal ball placed to USC from Allen Trieu for Alston to go to USC.
Wisconsin has already picked up two commitments for the 2026 class in 3-star quarterback Jarin Mock and 3-star lineman Benjamin Novak. Both star ratings are from 24/7 Sports. Alston would give them their first 4-star of the class and a dynamic runner that is needed in Wisconsin's playing style. This would be a big grab for Fickell if he can swoop in and take him out of USC's hands.
There are other running backs that Wisconsin is chasing in the 2026 class if Alston decides to go to either USC or Penn State, and it's early enough in the recruiting cycle that the Badgers will be fine, but it would be a great bump for a program, that needs to prove the doubters wrong in the next year to two years. That contract for Fickell isn't going away anytime soon. Now it's time to earn it on the field.