3 takeaways from Wisconsin football landing commitment of 3-star running back Qwantavius Wiggins
A few thoughts on the Badgers reeling in another out-of-state running back
The University of Wisconsin football program added another Georgia running back to its 2026 class.
Qwantavius Wiggins, who was previously committed to Florida International, announced Tuesday his commitment to Wisconsin. He’s a consensus three-star recruit who’s the No. 24 running back in the 2026 class, according to 247Sports.
The Badgers now are back up to 15 verbal commitments for the 2025 class. Here are a few takeaways from the commitment of Wiggins, who according to MaxPreps, has accumulated 823 yards rushing on 9.6 yards per carry and 14 touchdowns in eight games thus far for Fairburn Langston Hughes High School in Georgia this season.
Wisconsin continues to flash recruiting chops despite rough season
Wiggins was part of a group of recruits who were slated to take official visits this weekend when Wisconsin hosted then-No. 24 Washington. He was committed to Florida International, but his recruiting journey picked up Power Four steam with announced offers from Florida State, Cincinnati and Auburn this fall.
Wiggins took an official visit to Florida State a couple of weekends ago, and Steve Wiltfong — the renowned On3/Rivals vice president of national college football recruiting and transfer portal — initially predicted the Seminoles to land the running back after that trip to Tallahassee.
That prediction changed after the Wisconsin visit.
The Badgers’ staff also has reeled in verbal commitments from 2026 defensive back Donovan Dunmore (Clovis Buchanan, California) and outside linebacker Yahya Gaad (South Gibson County, Tennessee) earlier this fall when the two took their trips to Madison.
We’ll see if Wisconsin swayed three other recruits who were slated for official visits this past weekend: defensive backs Azel Banag (Columbia AC Flora, South Carolina) and Julian Peterson (Atco Winslow Township, New Jersey), and wide receiver Xavier Stinson (Vero Beach, Florida).
Wisconsin currently has a 2-back class for 2026
Wiggins joins fellow Georgia native, four-star recruit Amari Latimer (Tyrone Sandy Creek, Georgia) as the projected running backs in Wisconsin’s 2026 class. A quick check of Google Maps shows their schools are only about 20 minutes apart.
Latimer’s now a consensus four-star running back, and Rivals currently evaluates him the highest as the No. 273 overall player in the 2026 class. 247Sports designates him as the No. 18 running back in this recruiting cycle.
Latimer’s been a buzzsaw during his senior season, as according to MaxPreps, he’s rushed for 1,745 yards on 10.3 yards per carry with 33 touchdowns in 10 games. But the back’s also shined catching the ball with a reported 16 receptions for 252 yards receiving and three additional touchdowns.
Wiggins has been more featured in the run game than passing game for Fairburn Langston Hughes. There’s a speed and burst to this downhill running that fits Wisconsin’s rushing attack under offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes, as seen in his midseason film. Wiggins, who’s listed at 5 foot 11 and 186 pounds on Hudl, also made defenders miss on would-be tackles with his ability to cut.
The Badgers reel in another late addition to a recruiting class
Credit needs to be given to the Wisconsin director of recruiting Pat Lambert, running backs coach Devon Spalding and staff for their efforts in this flip. Wiggins’ commitment, along with Dunmore’s and Gaad’s, continues to show that the Badgers are able to bring in talent late during the recruiting cycle after the summer.
Wisconsin added Ernest Willor Jr. and Rob Booker II late to their 2024 class, while three members of the Badgers’ 2025 class — quarterback Carter Smith, outside linebacker Jaylan Williams and cornerback Cairo Skanes — all committed in November or later last year.
Smith and Skanes are already paying dividends on the field for the Badgers this season.