Wisconsin football extended an offer to four-star class of 2026 EDGE McHale Blade on Monday.

Both 247Sports’ composite ranking and On3’s industry ranking have Blade as a four-star recruit. The Country Club Hills, Illinois native already holds offers from 19 schools including Michigan, USC, Miami (Florida), Florida, Notre Dame, Texas A&M, Missouri, Nebraska, Cincinnati and Tennessee.

247Sports has Blade as the No. 23 defensive lineman in the class of 2026, No. 6 recruit from Illinois and No. 192 overall player in the class. On3, on the other hand, has Blade as Illinois’ No. 1 recruit for 2026.

He currently stands at 6’4,” 230 pounds, representing Hillcrest High School in Illinois.

His first gridiron offer arrived from Florida in December 2023. Alongside Michigan, USC, Missouri and Texas A&M, Wisconsin became the latest program to offer Blade in May 2024.

Blessed to receive an offer from The University Of Wisconsin! @BadgerFootball @CoachWhit_UW @Coach_Mitch_ @AllenTrieu @EDGYTIM @Hawks4Football @KoachWeaver pic.twitter.com/7xIf2xmsZQ

— McHale Blade (@McHaleBlade) May 20, 2024

247sports has yet to release a crystal ball prediction, but On3’s recruiting prediction machine has in-state Illinois as Blade’s most likely landing spot.

Whether it be through recruiting cycles or the transfer portal, Wisconsin is certainly looking to bolster its defensive front.

Over the past week, UW’s recent DL transfer targets have committed elsewhere. Those include C.J. West to Indiana, Khurtiss Perry to Virginia Tech, Jay’Viar Suggs to LSU and Brandon Lane to Louisville.

Wisconsin has offered several 2026 recruits over the past few weeks, including Brayden Trimble, Kaleb Woods, Jarin Mock, Nick Reddish Brayden Robinson, Amari Sabb, and Will Conroy.

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – The Wisconsin Health Department announced Monday new vaccine requirements for child care centers and schools.

Meningitis vaccines are now required and Chickenpox infections must be documented.

There are no changes for religious or medical exemptions.

For more information on these changes, click here.

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Copyright 2024 WMTV. All rights reserved.

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Wisconsin planting, tillage continues as first hay readies

Most of Wisconsin was able to make good progress with tillage and planting last week, but some areas were too wet.

USDA statistician Greg Busler says 5.2 days were suitable for fieldwork in the week ending Sunday, with tillage and planting continuing and some farmers cutting first crop hay.

Corn planting is now 66% finished with 23% of the corn now emerging.  That’s two days ahead of last year and the five year average.

Soybean planting is 57% complete with 21% of the beans emerging.  That’s four days ahead of average. 

Eighty-one percent of Wisconsin’s oats have been planted, and 56% of them have emerged.  Seventy-one percent of the oats are rated good to excellent.

Eighty-two percent of the potato crop is planted, and five percent of winter wheat has headed.  The crops are rated 87 and 86 percent good to excellent, respectively.

Wisconsin farmers are just getting started on first crop alfalfa hay, with eight percent of the crop now harvested.  That’s five days ahead of average.  The all-hay condition improved last week, with 75% of the crop now listed as good to excellent.