Badgers Secure Unexpected Commitment from State’s Top Tight End, Ending Years of Recruitment Drought

When a program like Wisconsin locks down a player of Korz Loken’s caliber, you can almost feel the gears start turning in the Big Ten landscape. This 6’5, 220-pound tight end—ranked among the top 150 recruits nationwide and sitting atop Wisconsin’s own class of 2027—represents more than just a big get. He’s the kind of talent the Badgers haven’t seen at that position since Jake Ferguson made waves back in 2017. And let me tell you, the position’s been a bit of a desert for production lately. Could Loken be the spark to change that narrative? With in-state recruiting heating up, and Loken now joining forces with fellow Badger legacy Ethan McIntosh, the ground beneath Madison is shifting. Eyes will inevitably turn to players like Cole Reiter and Kingston Allen as Wisconsin continues to reel in some serious prospects. There’s a buzz, a sense that things are clicking in the right direction for the 2027 cycle—don’t blink, or you might just miss it. LEARN MORE

The Wisconsin Badgers got a huge commitment on Saturday, as 2027 four-star tight end Korz Loken pledged his commitment to the program at the Navy All-American Bowl.

Loken, who stands 6’5, 220 pounds, is a top-150 recruit in the country, the No. 1 recruit in the state of Wisconsin, and the No. 4 tight end nationally for the 2027 class. He’s the best tight end prospect the Badgers have had since Jake Ferguson, who was a top-four tight end in the country in the Class of 2017.

Interestingly, the Badgers haven’t had that type of player at tight end since Ferguson, struggling to get much production out of the position over the last few years. Perhaps Loken can change that.

In what’s becoming a pretty strong in-state class in 2027, it was important for the Badgers to land the top recruit in the state, which is what they did with Loken’s commitment. He now becomes the second recruit to commit to Wisconsin in the cycle, joining three-star in-state offensive lineman Ethan McIntosh, the son of Badgers Athletic Director Chris McIntosh.

Now, Wisconsin will put its focus on several other in-state recruits, including four-star offensive lineman Cole Reiter, three-star running back Kingston Allen, three-star edge Isaac Miller, and three-star offensive lineman Hunter Mallinger. Those are the top remaining uncommitted players in the state, and all are fairly well-regarded nationally.

So far, so good with the 2027 in-state recruiting.