Why these Wisconsin football signees stuck with their commitment
A trio of new Badgers explain why they didn't reopen their recruiting process and signed with the program.
Jack Sievers has always been someone who enjoys a challenge.
Sievers, one of the 13 players the University of Wisconsin football program signed during the early signing period last week, has experienced highs and lows at Archbishop Murphy High School in Everett, Washington. The Wildcats didn’t win a game his freshman year, but he knows what it’s like to rally and stay committed with a group of players to build a program.
Just last weekend, Everett Archbishop Murphy won the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association 2A state title.
Wisconsin finished its 2025 season with a 4-8 record and missed a bowl game for the second consecutive year. Six recruits from November to Dec. 3, the beginning of early signing period, went back on their previous verbal commitments and the Badgers and have landed with other Power Four programs. But Sievers and a few others kept their initial commitments and signed last week.
“So if anything, I saw Wisconsin, they had the hardest schedule in college football, and they were playing with all those injuries, right?” Sievers said Dec. 2, days before the state title game. “I saw that as an opportunity, more than something to run from. So that’s one of the main reasons that I chose to stay with the program.
“The other reason was I didn’t just choose Wisconsin for the football program. They have one of the top real estate programs in the country that I’m looking to invest in and become a part of. So that was really important to me, and regardless of what football was like, I knew I would always have that opportunity there. … Those were the main reasons I decided to really stick with the program and continue doing what I was doing.”
Badger Observer spoke with two other 2026 Wisconsin signees who committed earlier this year about why they stuck with their initial verbal pledge.
Cornerback Carson Eloms
Announced commitment date: April 8
“So the reason I’m staying is I know that they’re not having the best season, or the way that they wanted their season to go, but I just really believe in this coaching staff, and I just believe in everything that they say.
“And I just think the fact that they’re trusting us to turn this program around really means a lot, and that’s why I want to stay with them.”
Linebacker Ben Wenzel
Announced commitment date: June 1
“I think I’ve always known. I’ve been a supporter and a fan of this program since I was a little kid. Grew up watching the Badgers, and my family has always been fans of them. So in the back of my mind, they’ve always been a favorite of mine. And throughout my recruitment process, I really built a great relationship with the coaches, and I really believe in their vision that they have for me and for the team as a whole.
“So that’s kind of the reason I’ve always been bought in. And I’ve never really questioned my commitment after I made it. I’m in 100% and nothing is going to change that.”