Wisconsin

What Aden Reeder’s commitment means for the Wisconsin football’s 2026 class

Published

7 months ago

May 12, 2025

What Aden Reeder’s commitment means for the Wisconsin football’s 2026 class

Aden Reeder fits what Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin Badgers’ defense is looking for in their growing crop of linebackers.

The 6-foot-3, 205 pound recruit announced his commitment to Wisconsin on Monday.

His junior Hudl film shows him working off the edge at outside linebacker for Cincinnati St. Xavier, but he also played off the ball and could accelerate downhill into the backfield. He finished with 72 tackles, 14½ tackles for loss and three sacks last season, according to MaxPreps.

Reeder is now projected to work within the inside linebacker group for defensive coordinator Mike Tressel. His frame and athleticism is similar to current Badgers backers Christian Alliegro (6-foot-4, 245 pounds), Thomas Heiberger (6-foot-4, 233 pounds), Landon Gauthier (6-fo3, 235) and incoming four-star freshman Mason Posa (listed at 6-foot-3 on Hudl).

Reeder is the first projected inside linebacker for this recruitng cycle to commit to the program, but the Badgers have also pursued a few others at his position.

Predicting just how many off-ball linebackers Wisconsin will take at this point is difficult, especially when weighing in how the staff evaluates the position group after the regular season and if there are any future transfer portal decisions at that time that could affect depth.

One 2026 target is Mason Marden, who just unveiled his top five last week and listed Wisconsin among his top schools. A decision is forthcoming in weeks’ time for Marden, and Badgers coaches visited both Marden and Reeder last week.

Linebacker TJ White, a four-star recruit from Mississippi, also tweeted in February that he would take an official visit to Wisconsin the weeknd of May 29-June 1. He announced official visits to Tennessee (June 13-15) and Mississippi State (June 20-22) as well, and he took one to North Carolina last month.

There’s also Ben Wenzel, the in-state standout from Appleton North who has not announced an offer from Wisconsin. He tweeted earlier this month that he’ll take an official visit the weekend of May 29-June 1.

I will be in Madison may 29th-june 1st for my OV! 🔒@TufBorland @CoachMikeTress @CoachFick @PatLambert13 pic.twitter.com/oGZRDBb3Ux
— 𝔹𝕖𝕟 𝕎𝕖𝕟𝕫𝕖𝕝 (@wenzel_ben7) May 4, 2025

Reeder had declared Power Four offers from Boston College, Cincinnati, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota, Virginia, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Wisconsin since January.

He previously set an official visit for June 5-8 at Wisconsin, but Minnesota and Iowa were also in line for official visits.

Wisconsin has competed with both conference foes on the recruiting trail often. The Gophers received an early commitment within the Badger State from Janesville Parker offensive lineman Gavin Meier, who Wisconsin pursued heavily at the start of this year.

Iowa also holds a Wisconsin native among its 2026 commits in Winneconne wide receiver Brody Schaffer. Schaffer had not announced an offer from Wisconsin, though he was expected to visit in the spring before his early commitment.

Other recruiting targets shared by the Badgers and Hawkeyes include defensive lineman King Liggins (Chicago Brother Rice) and safety Messiah Tilson (Rockford Guilford).

We’re still months away from the 2026 early signing period with a busy summer official visit period coming in a matter of weeks, but Wisconsin ranks 38th in the nation by 247Sports composite rankings as of May 12. That’s the highest by an outlet (On3 has Wisconsin as 42nd in the country and Rivals 43rd after Reeder’s commitment).

In terms of number of recruits who gave commitments up to May 12, Wisconsin now is sitting in line with the 2024 and 2025 classes. The 2024 class, Fickell’s first as Badgers coach, had seven verbal commitments as of May 12, 2023.

Wisconsin’s 2025 class had 10 commits at this time last year, though slot receiver Cam Miller announced May 15 his commitment to the program.

That said, three of those early 2025 commits – Miller, quarterback Landyn Locke and linebacker Brenden Anes – eventually did not sign with the program.

Wisconsin’s current 2026 commits are as follows:

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Wisconsin

Wisconsin warns of “sextortion,” online crimes against kids

Published

4 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

Wisconsin warns of “sextortion,” online crimes against kids

MILWAUKEE – The FBI calls it an online crime against kids – perpetrators convincing kids to send sexual images of themselves and then blackmailing them.

Online crime against kids

The backstory:

The reality is settling in. This will be Brittney Bird’s first Christmas without her son, Bradyn Bohn, since he was born. That is because just nine months ago, the 15-year-old died by suicide, just hours after telling his family good night.

“This winter has been pretty heavy,” Bird said. “This will be a lot of first this year.”

Bird said Bradyn was the kind of kid who would always try to make you launch. The teen had a lot of friends, played sports, did well academically, and had big plans for the future.

“Definitely a kid who we were just so proud of,” Bird said. “Bradyn never struggled with or suffered from mental illness or depression or anything of that nature so immediately we knew, you know something’s wrong.”

Once police went through Bradyn’s phone, she said it came out he was the victim of the cyber crime, sextortion.

What is sextortion?

What we know:

“Sextortion is a form of online child exploitation where a child is coerced by a perpetrator to send compromising images,” said Jesse Crowe from the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

This week, the Wisconsin Department of Justice sent out a public service announcement on sextortion.

Officials say suspects often pose as someone else online. While exchanging messages, they convince a child to send images of themselves. Once they have explicit images of the child, they use the photos or videos to blackmail the child into sending even more images, money or ask for sexual favors.

FBI data, change in Wisconsin law

Dig deeper:

The FBI said victims are typically males between the ages of 14 and 17, but any child can be a target.

This crime led to at least 20 suicides between October 2021 and March 2023.

In the months after Bradyn’s death, change would come to Wisconsin. Earlier in December, Gov. Tony Evers signed Bradyn’s Law. It creates a new crime of sexual extortion in Wisconsin. It aims to ensure harsh penalties for those who exploit children online.

“It will bring, hopefully statewide, eventually nationwide attention to where every family is having this conversation with their kids,” Bird told FOX6 News.

Take action

What you can do:

The Department of Justice said the best thing to do if a child finds themselves in this situation is the following:

Block the perpetrator
Report the account, but do not delete the messages
Tell a trusted adult
Do not send any money

Resources available

The Source: Information in this post was produced by FOX6 News.

Crime and Public SafetyMilwaukeeNews

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Wisconsin

Trump names Christmas Eve, Dec. 26 federal holidays. What does that mean for Wisconsin?

Published

16 hours ago

December 22, 2025

Press Room

Trump names Christmas Eve, Dec. 26 federal holidays. What does that mean for Wisconsin?

President Donald Trump declared Christmas Eve and Dec. 26 to be federal holidays this year.

The Dec. 18 executive order deems the days as work holidays for all federal departments and agencies, but adds some of them will remain open. Certain offices may stay open on one or both days for “national security, defense, or other public need,” the order reads.

But, what does this mean for other federal workers and services?

Here’s what to know in Wisconsin:

Are Christmas Eve, Dec. 26 official federal holidays?

Even though Christmas Eve and Dec. 26 have been declared federal holidays in 2025, they are not permanent additions to the holiday schedule.

Legislation must be passed by Congress and then signed into law by the president for a federal holiday declaration to be official.

Who gets Christmas Eve, Dec. 26 off in Wisconsin?

Only federal agencies are set to be closed on Christmas Eve and Dec. 26, according to USA TODAY.

Since these two days have not been designated permanent federal holidays, many businesses that follow the schedule will likely not give their employees a last-minute extended Christmas break.

Wisconsin state government and Milwaukee city offices are closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but will be open on Dec. 26.

Will mail still be delivered on Christmas Eve, Dec. 26 in Wisconsin?

Yes. The U.S. Postal Service will deliver mail and post office locations will remain open on Christmas Eve and Dec. 26, according to its website. Mail will not be delivered and locations will be closed on Christmas.

Will banks be open on Christmas Eve, Dec. 26 in Wisconsin?

Yes. Banks will follow the typical schedule of being open on Christmas Eve and Dec. 26, according to the U.S. Federal Reserve. Banks will be closed on Christmas.

Mary Walrath-Holdridge of USA TODAY contributed to this report.

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Wisconsin

Wisconsin Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for Dec. 21, 2025

Published

1 day ago

December 22, 2025

Press Room

Wisconsin Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for Dec. 21, 2025

The Wisconsin Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 21, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

Midday: 0-7-9

Evening: 4-2-5

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

Midday: 9-7-3-0

Evening: 7-7-5-4

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning All or Nothing numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

Midday: 03-06-08-09-10-14-15-16-19-20-22

Evening: 02-05-07-12-13-14-15-16-20-21-22

Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Badger 5 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

03-08-19-25-28

Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning SuperCash numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

04-10-27-30-33-39, Doubler: N

Check SuperCash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Prizes up to $599: Can be claimed at any Wisconsin Lottery retailer.
Prizes from $600 to $199,999: Can be claimed in person at a Lottery Office. By mail, send the signed ticket and a completed claim form available on the Wisconsin Lottery claim page to: Prizes, PO Box 777 Madison, WI 53774.
Prizes of $200,000 or more: Must be claimed in person at the Madison Lottery office. Call the Lottery office prior to your visit: 608-261-4916.

Can Wisconsin lottery winners remain anonymous?

No, according to the Wisconsin Lottery. Due to the state’s open records laws, the lottery must, upon request, release the name and city of the winner. Other information about the winner is released only with the winner’s consent.

When are the Wisconsin Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Super Cash: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
All or Nothing (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
All or Nothing (Evening): 9 p.m. CT daily.
Megabucks: 9:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Badger 5: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.

That lucky feeling: Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

Feeling lucky? WI man wins $768 million Powerball jackpot **

WI Lottery history: Top 10 Powerball and Mega Million jackpots

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Wisconsin editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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