The recruiting landscape in the Big Ten continues to shift, with Wisconsin seeing top in-state talent increasingly drawn to rival programs. The latest example is Winneconne, Wisconsin, wide receiver Brody Schaffer, who committed to Iowa on Wednesday, , choosing the Hawkeyes over offers from Northwestern and Washington State.
Schaffer’s commitment is particularly notable as Wisconsin had not extended an offer to the three-star recruit, ranked as the No. 767 player nationally, the No. 122 wide receiver, and the No. 3 player in the state of Wisconsin by 247Sports. He was scheduled to visit Northwestern on , Wisconsin on , and Iowa on , but his commitment to Iowa likely alters those plans.
The loss of Schaffer continues a trend of Wisconsin failing to retain its top in-state prospects. Sam Simpson, River Falls’ top 2026 prospect, recently pledged to Indiana. This follows a pattern from the 2025 recruiting cycle, where Wisconsin landed only the fourth- and fifth-ranked players in the state, while the top two committed to Notre Dame and the third to Tennessee. Currently, Wisconsin’s 2026 recruiting class includes only one commitment: three-star offensive lineman Benjamin Novak.
Iowa’s success in poaching Wisconsin talent is being spearheaded by wide receivers coach Jon Budmayr, a former Wisconsin quarterback (2009-2011) and assistant coach (2015-2020). His familiarity with the state and its players appears to be a significant factor in the Hawkeyes’ recruiting efforts.
The situation highlights a broader challenge for Wisconsin in maintaining control of its in-state recruiting pipeline. The state currently lacks a four-star recruit in the 2026 cycle, with Simpson, the highest-ranked player, at No. 577 nationally. However, the issue extends beyond the star rankings; Wisconsin has struggled to lock down commitments from top in-state players even dating back to , Paul Chryst’s last full recruiting class.
Iowa’s recruiting momentum extends beyond Schaffer. As of , the Hawkeyes boast 17 scholarship commitments and four preferred walk-on pledges, ranking 27th nationally in the 247Sports Composite team recruiting rankings. Among their committed players are four-star recruits Tradon Bessinger (quarterback), Julian Manson (linebacker), Carson Nielsen (offensive lineman), Darion Jones (defensive back), Kasen Thomas (linebacker), and Gene Riordan (offensive lineman), as well as four-star offensive lineman Hudson Parliament.
Iowa recently flipped a commitment from Jack Janda, a tight end who had previously pledged to Wisconsin. This further underscores the Hawkeyes’ ability to successfully recruit within Wisconsin’s borders.
The annual rivalry game between Wisconsin and Iowa will take on added significance, providing Iowa with an opportunity to showcase its recruiting success to potential future Badgers. Iowa has won three straight and four of the last five matchups against Wisconsin, adding another layer of competitive intensity to the recruiting battle.
Wisconsin is set to host a number of recruits and targets during the game against Iowa, including five committed recruits from the 2026 class: Djidjou Bah (defensive line), Carsen Eloms (defensive back), Jack Janda (tight end), Ben Novak (offensive line), and Ben Wenzel (linebacker). They will also host 2026 target Yahya Gaad, a defensive lineman from Tennessee who is currently on an official visit, and a dozen 2027 targets, including Carter Blattner (defensive end), Caleb Cooper (safety), and Zach Gleason (defensive back).
