MADISON – The Wisconsin football program’s 2027 class is on track to deliver its largest in-state haul in 16 years.
The Badgers’ 10 state recruits equal the most for the program in one class since it had 10 in 2011. This year’s class has been at the heart of what has been a well-received recruiting effort by Badgers coach Luke Fickell and his staff.
As of June 17, the class is No. 18 overall in 247sports’ ranking and seventh in the Big Ten. Rivals lists UW No. 24 overall and have it ninth in the Big Ten.
In addition to the 10 in-state players, Wisconsin has added players from Delaware, Indiana, Connecticut, Illinois, California, Florida, Arizona, Montana, Texas and Kansas.
Here is a look at each player in the class.
Edge Brody Pfannenstiel
Committed: June 16.
Hometown: Hoisington, Kansas.
High school: Hoisington.
Height: 6-4.
Weight: 225 pounds.
Ratings: Pfannenstiel is considered a three-star prospect by Rivals, 247sports and ESPN.
The lowdown: Getting a Texas Tech commit to flip is another noteworthy accomplishment for the Badgers during this recruiting cycle. Pfannenstiel wasn’t just coveted by Tech and the Badgers, but at least 14 other programs offered scholarships.
Safety James ‘Trey’ Roberson
Committed: June 9.
Hometown: Allen, Texas.
High school: Allen.
Height: 6-1.
Weight: 205 pounds.
Ratings: Roberson received three stars from Rivals, 247sports and ESPN.
The lowdown: Roberson helped Allen go 14-1 last season by making 60 tackles that included 24 solo stops and picking off two passes. Twenty-five Power Four programs offered a scholarship with 11 coming after he earned all-district honors this past season.
Offensive lineman Jack Tabbert
Committed: June 8.
Hometown: Pewaukee.
High school: Pewaukee.
Height: 6-5.
Weight: 275 pounds.
Ratings: Rivals, 247sports and ESPN each list Tabbert as a three-star prospect.
The lowdown: The play of the former North Dakota State commit earned him all-conference distinction in the well-respected Classic 8 Conference as well as nine offers from mid-major FBS or FCS programs. It wasn’t until he showed his ability at a Wisconsin camp in June that the Badgers came through with an offer that he quickly accepted.
Edge Darin Graham
Committed: June 7.
Hometown: Chicago.
High school: Mount Carmel.
Height: 6-5.
Weight: 225 pounds.
Ratings: Graham received three stars from 247sports and Rivals. He hasn’t been rated by ESPN.
The lowdown: Graham is lean compared to many of the Badgers players at the position, but he has time to add mass. Plus, UW likes having a variety of body types at the position. He helped Mount Carmel win a state title last year. He chose the Badgers over Purdue and Mississippi, but he also announced offers from Georgia Tech, Kansas State, Kentucky, Minnesota and Oregon State.
Receiver Steele Harris
Committed: June 7.
Hometown: Great Falls, Montana.
High school: Great Falls.
Height: 6-3.
Weight: 205 pounds.
Ratings: Rivals and 247sports consider him a three-star recruit. ESPN has not rated him.
The lowdown: Harris lined up in the slot or on the outside and averaged 18.6 yards per catch last season. He also averaged 11.5 yards per carry, mostly off direct snaps and jet sweeps. He finished with 1,423 total yards. Wisconsin made its scholarship offer Dec. 5. This offseason he also received offers from Utah, Arizona State, California, Utah State, Northwestern, Michigan State and Illinois.
Defensive lineman Yahzeen Zion
Committed: June 6.
Hometown: Goodyear, Arizona.
High school: Desert Edge.
Height: 6-5.
Weight: 265 pounds.
Ratings: ESPN and Rivals gave Zion four stars. 247sports rates him a three-star prospect.
The lowdown: Zion could have waited until after his official visits to Oklahoma and LSU but decided to commit to the Badgers during his official visit weekend. He is tabbed as an interior lineman at UW but has experience playing inside as well as on the edge for his high school team. He recorded 57 tackles last season that included 15½ tackles for a loss and four sacks.
Defensive back Mekhi Williams
Committed: June 3.
Hometown: Ruskin, Florida.
High school: Lennard.
Height: 6-3.
Weight: 165 pounds.
Rating: Williams is a consensus four-star recruit.
The lowdown: Getting Williams to change his commitment from Florida State sent a strong message about the Badgers’ recruiting effort. Williams has the ability to play cornerback or safety, but it appears that he will get a look at corner with the Badgers. According to MaxPreps, he made 33 tackles and intercepted two passes last season.
Cornerback Royalton Allen
Committed: June 2.
Hometown: Hesperia, California.
High school: Oak Hills.
Height: 6-0.
Weight: 175 pounds.
Ratings: Allen is listed as a three-star recruit by 247sports, Rivals/On3 and ESPN.
The lowdown: Allen first committed to UCLA but decommitted after the Bruins changed coaching staff. UW swept him off his feet. He announced his offer from the Badgers May 19 and committed weeks before he initially planned to announce his college choice. According to MaxPreps, he made 34 tackles, 17 solo, last season with two interceptions. He also got some snaps on offense, rushing 71 yards and catching 11 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns.
Linebacker Nathan Jones
Committed: May 31.
Hometown: Cave Creek, Arizona.
High school: Desert Edge.
Height: 6-3.
Weight: 230 pounds.
Rating: Jones is a consensus three-star prospect.
The lowdown: Jones attends the same high school that produced Badgers linebacker Jon Jon Kamara, but he played his junior season at Notre Dame Prep in Scottsdale, Arizona where he was an all-region selection who finished with 84 tackles that included 23 ½ tackles for a loss and 11 ½ sacks. The Badgers were the last of the 15 offers he announced on Instagram on May 8. His other Power Four offers at that point came from North Carolina, Florida State, Baylor, Kansas State and Arizona.
Receiver Jai Jones
Committed: May 31.
Hometown: Chandler, Arizona.
High school: Chandler.
Height: 6-2,
Weight: 175 pounds.
Rating: Rivals/On3 and 247sports give him four stars. ESPN lists him as a three-star prospect.
The lowdown: Jones announced 26 Division I offers that included 17 from Power Four programs. Big Ten rivals Oregon, Washington, Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota and UCLA offered in addition to Wisconsin. He told Rivals that he chose the Badgers over California and Arizona. Last season he caught 54 passes for 922 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Linebacker Keaton Wollan
Committed: May 13.
Hometown: Amery, Wisconsin.
High school: Amery.
Height: 6-3.
Weight: 210 pounds.
Ratings: Wollan is considered a consensus three-star recruit.
The lowdown: Wollan was an Iowa State recruit for about three weeks before changing his mind and committing to the Badgers. He is a two-sport star who was all-state in football as well as basketball. He made 125 tackles, forced four fumbles and intercepted three passes last season. He also rushed for 932 yards and averaged 5.8 yards per carry.
Defensive lineman David Hill
Committed: May 1.
Hometown: Chicago.
High school: Homewood-Flossmoor.
Height: 6-3.
Weight: 300 pounds.
Ratings: Hill is considered a consensus three-star recruit.
The lowdown: Hill added 30 pounds to his frame between his sophomore and junior seasons and has the potential to add even more size. He announced 21 scholarship offers on social media before committing to the Badgers. UW offered on July 31, 2025. Five other Big Ten rivals also made offers: Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Purdue.
Defensive lineman Will Zaccagnino
Committed: April 30.
Hometown: Shelton, Connecticut.
High school: St. Joseph.
Height: 6-5.
Weight: 270 pounds.
Ratings: Zaccagnino is considered a consensus three-star recruit.
The lowdown: Zaccagnino plays end in St. Joseph’s defense but projects as a tackle for UW. He posted more than 100 tackles the past two seasons and made 47 stops in 2025 that included eight tackles for a loss and four sacks. He also deflected nine passes and was a consensus first-team all-state selection. He announced 15 scholarship offers on X that included Big Ten rivals Illinois and Michigan State.
Safety Daniel (DJ) Davis
Committed: April 27.
Hometown: Middletown, Delaware.
High school: Middletown.
Height: 6-2.
Weight: 175 pounds.
Ratings: 247sports and Rivals/On3 give him three stars. ESPN has not rated him.
The lowdown: Davis’ skills as a receiver generated some interest on the recruiting trail, but the Power Four programs that offered were interested in him as a safety. He scheduled official visits with Penn State, West Virginia and Syracuse before he announced his commitment.
Quarterback Jack Sorgi
Committed: April 24.
Hometown: Pittsboro, Indiana.
High school: Tri-West Hendricks.
Height: 6-4.
Weight: 205 pounds.
Ratings: Rivals rates Sorgi as a four-star prospect. 247sports and ESPN give him three stars.
The lowdown: The legacy commit – he’s the son of former Badgers QB Jim Sorgi – came to UW after decommitting from Louisville on March 8. The Badgers, who weren’t in on his recruitment the first time around, quickly joined the fray the second time, extending Sorgi an offer March 9. He combines athleticism that comes from playing running back, receiver and safety growing up with burgeoning skills as a passer. Last season, his first year as the full-time starter, he completed 61% (178 of 291) of his passes for 2,911 yards, 31 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
Running back Kingston Allen
Committed: April 3.
Hometown: Green Bay, Wisconsin.
High school: Notre Dame
Height: 6-0.
Weight: 195 pounds.
Ratings: Rivals/On3 and 247sports consider him a four-star recruit. ESPN gives him three stars.
The lowdown: Allen set single-season state records for rushing yards (3,436) and touchdowns (57) on the way to helping the Tritons reach the WIAA Division 2 final, but that didn’t create huge recruiting interest. He posted five offers on X. In addition to UW, the others were Northwestern, Eastern Michigan, North Dakota State and North Dakota. Wisconsin saw enough to make an offer after he gained 509 yards and scored seven touchdowns in a 56-42 playoff win over defending champion Slinger on Halloween.
Offensive lineman Hunter Mallinger
Committed: April 1.
Hometown: Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.
High school: Sussex Hamilton.
Height: 6-5.
Weight: 275 pounds.
Ratings: Rivals/On3 gives Mallinger four stars. ESPN and 247sports give him three.
The lowdown: Mallinger flourished in his second year as a starter. He was a first-team all-state selection by the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association who helped the Chargers reach the third round of the WIAA playoffs. He put such good work on film that it led to 10 Power Four offers after the season that included defending national champion Indiana, North Carolina and Iowa State.
Offensive lineman Reece Mallinger
Committed: April 1.
Hometown: Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.
High school: Sussex Hamilton.
Height: 6-6.
Weight: 285 pounds.
Ratings: Mallinger is a consensus three-star recruit.
The lowdown: Mallinger missed his sophomore season due to a torn labrum but made an impact in his comeback season. He was an all-region selection by the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association who netted 11 FBS offers after the season. Wisconsin’s offer came on Jan. 9.
Tackle Cole Reiter
Committed: March 26
Hometown: Germantown, Wisconsin.
High school: Germantown.
Height: 6-7.
Weight: 315 pounds.
Ratings: Reiter is a consensus four-star recruit. He is 157th overall in the class, according to 247sports, 172nd by Rivals/On3 and 252nd by ESPN.
The lowdown: Getting a commitment from Reiter meant winning recruiting battles with Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State and reigning national champion Indiana. Reiter helped Germantown win a share of the Greater Metro Conference title and reach Level 2 of the WIAA playoffs. He was a first-team all-state selection by the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association.
Edge Isaac Miller
Committed: March 5.
Hometown: Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.
High school: Catholic Memorial.
Height: 6-5.
Weight: 250 pounds.
Ratings: 247sports and Rivals/On3 give Miller three stars. ESPN has not ranked him.
The lowdown: UW beat Kansas, Nebraska, Michigan State and North Carolina among others to get Miller, who received 25 Power Four scholarship offers. He played his junior season with a torn labrum, but still played the interior line as well as the edge for the Crusaders. He finished with 61 tackles, 23 solos, with 23 quarterback pressures. He was an all-region selection by the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association.
Safety Dustin Roach
Committed: Jan. 23.
Hometown: Waukesha, Wisconsin.
High school: Catholic Memorial.
Height: 6-3.
Weight: 185 pounds.
Ratings: Roach is a consensus three-star recruit.
The lowdown: Roach is a two-way standout who received greater accolades last season as a receiver – he was honorable mention all-state on that side of the ball – but higher-profile offers on defense. He made 36 tackles last season, including 21 solo stops. He also intercepted five passes and returned two for touchdowns. He is currently recovering from an ACL injury he suffered early in basketball season.
Tight end Korz Loken
Committed: Jan. 10
Hometown: Iola, Wisconsin.
High school: Iola-Scandinavia.
Height: 6-5.
Weight: 230 pounds.
Ratings: Loken is a consensus four-star recruit. Nationally he ranks overall 143rd (247sports), 201 (Rivals/On3) and 240th (ESPN).
The lowdown: Loken put a jolt into the Badgers’ offseason when he announced his commitment to the program on national television during halftime of the Navy All-American Bowl. He played just two games last season due to a wrist injury, but recovered in time to play basketball and appears on track to return to the field for his senior season. As a sophomore, he caught 28 passes for 425 yards and nine touchdowns.
Tackle Ethan McIntosh
Committed: Nov. 12.
Hometown: Verona, Wisconsin.
High school: Verona.
Height: 6-7.
Weight: 250 pounds.
Ratings: McIntosh is a consensus three-star recruit.
The lowdown: The legacy recruit – he is the son for former UW athletic director Chris McIntosh, an All-American tackle in 1999 – was a unanimous all-Big Eight selection who was also an all-region selection by the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association. He received 10 other Division I offers before he committed: Colorado State, Duke, Illinois, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Northwestern and Washington State.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: How Wisconsin football’s 2027 recruiting class is shaping up
Reporting by Mark Stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mark Stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
