The Wisconsin Badgers aren’t seeing the results they want on the field, starting the year 2-4 with four consecutive losses by 14+ points.
But, they did get some good news over the weekend, receiving a commitment from 2026 three-star defensive lineman Yahya Gaad, who recently de-committed from the UCLA Bruins.
Gaad, who stands 6’5, 260 pounds, is a native of Tennessee and had previously been committed to the SMU Mustangs before his committment to UCLA. He had committed to SMU back in February before de-committing
in April. 10 days later, he got an offer from the Bruins.
He took an official visit to UCLA in May, committing the day after, but the Badgers remained in constant contact, looking to get an official visit after initially scheduling one for the last weekend of May.
Gaad ultimately de-committed from UCLA in September and was on campus for an official visit this weekend during Wisconsin’s 37-0 loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes. He elected to commit to the program, giving the team a third defensive line commit in the 2026 class along with three-stars Djidjou Bah and Arthur Scott.
Wisconsin has aggressively looked to improve their 2026 class, specifically focusing on holes at wide receiver, defensive back, defensive line, and offensive line. They have recently offered or evaluated players at each of those positions, and now have a commitment from Gaad to boost the group.
Gaad was the 16th commitment in the class, but Wisconsin did get a de-commitment from three-star wide receiver Tayshon Bardo on Monday. This was a “mutual parting” for the Badgers who are looking to upgrade that third receiver in their 2026 class, as we reported, alongside four-stars Jayden Petit and Zion Legree.
Wisconsin also got a commitment from three-star cornerback Donovan Dunmore, who flipped from Oregon State and added a second player in the class with three-star Carsen Eloms at the position. Dunmore is another defensive back with track-like speed that Wisconsin sees a good ceiling for.
There are several questions with the commits currently in the 2026 class. The biggest is with top recruit Amari Latimer, who recently took an official visit to Ohio State without telling Wisconsin’s coaching staff. The Buckeyes have yet to land a running back in their 2026 class and Latimer is a realistic possibility there.
Wisconsin has started to do due dilligence on other running backs in the class in case Latimer elects to flip, but are hoping they can keep the back they went all-in on this summer.
Petit has also received interest after a strong start to his senior season, but currently remains firmly committed to Wisconsin. We’ll see if things change there over the next few months or if Wisconsin can hold on to arguably their best receiver prospect in recent memory.
But, the Badgers are looking to add at several positions to round out their 2026 class with some senior evals, throwing out offers to players at safety, cornerback (commitment but could be more), defensive line (commitment), wide receiver, and the offensive line.
Overall, the Badgers are looking to add at least two more defensive backs, prioritizing help at both safety and cornerback after failing to land a player at the former position during the summer.
Wide receiver will be a position to monitor with Bardo’s de-commitment and the Badgers are hoping to add a third offensive lineman in the class after missing out on a few targets in the summer. The wild card could be a running back (or even two) if Latimer heads another way.
