BREAKING: Wisconsin Lands Three-Star Edge Rusher Yahya Gaad
Wisconsin and head coach Luke Fickell have landed one of the last pieces to the puzzle for its 2026 recruiting class. During an official visit over the weekend, Medina (Tenn.) South Gibson edge rusher Yahya Gaad verbally committed to the Badgers, as first reported by Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett.
Gaad, a one-time SMU and UCLA commit, reopened his recruitment following the firing of former Bruin head coach DeShaun Foster. Wisconsin finished in the runner-up position after Gaad’s commitment to UCLA in May.
“They were definitely second. Right after UCLA,” he said. “The position I could play there, outside linebacker/edge defender. What Mason Reiger is doing right now, I really like that.”
Outside linebackers coach Matt Mitchell and defensive line coach E.J. Whitlow made a combined four visits to Tennessee for the three-star prospect. Gaad projects as an outside linebacker/edge rusher under Mitchell.
“I love him (Mitchell) as a coach,” Gaad stated. “Some of his players are doing really well right now. He’s a great coach and really good at what he does. He and coach Whitlow have been recruiting me for a very long time now.”
After re-opening his recruitment, Gaad was also pursued by Florida State, Auburn, Colorado, and more. Gaad also held scholarship offers from Georgia, Texas, Ole Miss, Washington, Indiana, Mississippi State, Arizona, Kentucky, California, and more.
Gaad is commitment No. 16 for Wisconsin in their 2026 recruiting class, a group that ranks top 40 nationally per the Rivals team recruiting rankings. According to the Rivals Industry, Gaad is the nation’s No. 57 ranked edge rusher in the class of 2026.
Stay tuned to Badger Blitz for more on Gaad’s commitment…
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