2026 LB Aden Reeder commits to Wisconsin

Cincinnati St. Xavier three-star linebacker Aden Reeder has committed to Wisconsin, he announced on Monday morning.

He chose the Badgers over Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota and others.

Reeder is the No. 977 overall prospect and No. 77 LB in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 38 player in Ohio.

On3 ranks the 6-foot-3, 210-pounder as the No. 31 LB and No. 21 recruit in the Buckeye State.

Reeder picked up an offer from head coach Luke Fickell and Wisconsin back in February. He’s set to take an official visit to Madison next month. Over the weekend, Reeder was visited by Badgers linebackers coach Tuf Borland.

Playing for an elite high school football program in Ohio, Reeder put together an impressive junior season in 2024, logging 72 total tackles, three forced fumbles, three pass breakups and three sacks. St. X won 10 games and finished as a top-10 team in the state once again, per the On3 Composite Rankings.

Wisconsin adds piece to 2026 class

With Reeder now in the fold, Wisconsin has seven commits in its 2026 recruiting class. According to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings, the Badgers’ class currently checks in at No. 44 nationally.

Six of the seven commits have joined the class since the beginning of March. Merrillville (Ind.) Andrean three-star interior offensive lineman Benjamin Novak is the lone commit who’s been in the mix since last year.

San Juan Capistrano (Calif.) Mater Dei three-star quarterback Ryan Hopkins is currently the highest-ranked commit in the class. Set to lead one of the most dominant high school programs in recent memory, Hopkins is now the No. 27 QB in the cycle. He committed on April 13.

Richton Park (Ill.) Rich Township three-star EDGE Carmelow Reed, Fishers (Ind.) three-star cornerback Carsen Eloms and Midlothian (Va.) Benedictine three-star offensive tackle Maddox Cochrane each also pledged last month.

March brought a commitment from Mishawaka (Ind.) Penn three-star wide receiver Tayshon Bardo. Three of the top 12 players in Indiana this cycle are currently committed to Wisconsin.

The class also ranks No. 14 in the Big Ten. The Badgers sit ahead of Michigan State, Nebraska, Purdue and Northwestern to date. Fickell and his staff signed the No. 27 class nationally last cycle, thanks to four big blue-chip signees. Gainesville (Fla.) F.W. Buchholz four-star EDGE Nicolas Clayton was a top-200 recruit and the top-ranked signee.