Wisconsin’s 2026 Safety Shocker: Top Prospect Switches to SEC Titan—What This Means for College Football!
While disappointing for Badger fans, Combay’s decision does not come as much of a surprise. Prior to his decision, On3’s recruiting prediction machine considered Tennessee the favorite at nearly 30%, while Wisconsin had roughly a 13% chance of landing a commitment from the talented defender.
- Three-star safety Jowell Combay committed to Tennessee over Wisconsin and other finalists.
- Combay, ranked No. 635 nationally in the 2026 class, officially visited Wisconsin in June.
- Wisconsin’s 2026 class currently ranks 48th nationally with 15 commitments.
- Tennessee was favored to land Combay, according to recruiting predictions.
As of July 10, three-star Zachary Taylor remains the only safety to pledge his commitment to UW.Wisconsin football top-ranked class of 2026 safety target Jowell Combay committed to the Tennessee Volunteers on Wednesday. Combay, who received his offer from UW back in January, elected to join the Volunteers’ program over finalists Wisconsin, Missouri, Georgia and South Carolina. He officially visited Madison the weekend of June 13 before making his final collegiate decision.
Wisconsin’s class of 2026 currently ranks No. 48 in the nation with 15 players committed. Luke Fickell’s program is searching for a return to the top 25 for the third straight year, but the activity thus far suggests a different trend.
Well, this one stings a bit for Wisconsin fans, doesn’t it? Jowell Combay, a promising three-star safety from Marietta, Georgia, has made his decision — and it’s not Badger land he’s heading to. Instead, he’s chosen to suit up for the Tennessee Volunteers, edging out Wisconsin and a handful of other finalists. Considering he made his visit to Madison just back in June, it’s a reminder that recruiting battles are as unpredictable as they are fierce. Ranked No. 635 nationally in the 2026 class, Combay had his pick from big-name schools, yet Tennessee’s charm—and perhaps their recruiting momentum—won the day. For Wisconsin, now sitting 48th nationally with 15 commitments, it’s a moment to pause, reflect, and gear up for what’s next. The gridiron chess game continues, and the Badgers are eager to climb back into the top 25. Want to dive deeper into the latest twists and turns? LEARN MORE
247Sports lists the Marietta, Georgia, native as a three-star recruit. He’s specifically ranked as the No. 635 player in the class of 2026, the No. 49 safety and the No. 70 player from his home state. Outside of his list of finalists, the three-star also received offers from Florida, Ole Miss, Indiana, Arizona State, Alabama, Auburn and Louisville, among others.
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