BREAKING: Wisconsin football secures commitment from top-ranked class of 2026 running back

Wisconsin football received a commitment from highly-coveted class of 2026 running back target Amari Latimer on Saturday. 

Latimer, who recently whittled his list of finalists down to the Badgers, Michigan Wolverines, Florida State Seminoles, Georgia Bulldogs, Texas Longhorns and Tennessee Volunteers, received over 40 overs during his recruiting process. The top-ranked running back officially visited Wisconsin the weekend of May 30 and makes his link to the program permanent with his decision.

247Sports, On3 and Rivals all list the 6-foot, 215-pound running back as a four-star recruit. 247Sports’ composite considers him the the No. 288 overall player in the class of 2026, No. 17 running back and No. 33 recruit from his home state of Georgia. Of note, the Tyrone, Georgia, native will reunite with his older brother Geimere Latimer, who transferred to UW this winter following a stellar season on defense at Jacksonville State.

While his decision to commit to Luke Fickell’s program was far from a no-doubter, recruiting outlets linked Latimer to Madison weeks ago. 247Sports Wisconsin insiders Evan Flood, Jon McNamara and Nick Osen all released crystal ball predictions connecting him to Wisconsin as far back as May 8.

During his third season at Sandy Creek High School, Latimer logged 136 carries for a whopping 1,113 rushing yards and 15 scores on the ground, in addition to 27 receptions for 363 yards and four receiving touchdowns. The 2026 prospect logged at least 100 rushing yards in six games, including a 194-yard performance in a 20-point in on Aug. 30.

Latimer becomes the 15th overall recruit to join Wisconsin’s class of 2026 cohort and ninth since the beginning of June. His decision is especially notable given four-star edge Jackson Ford’s recent commitment to Penn State on Friday, Ben Duncum’s pledge to the Kentucky Wildcats on Wednesday and defensive lineman Kobe Cherry’s commitment to Purdue on Monday.

Most importantly, Latimer is the first running back to pledge his commitment to UW in the 2026 cycle. He will now look to join the list of legends, including Jonathan Taylor, Melvin Gordon, Braelon Allen and Montee Ball, who have graced the scarlet and red at position.

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