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Luke Fickell and Wisconsin Badgers flip 2026 RB after huge win over Washington

The Badgers are already feeling the impact a ranked win can have on a struggling program
Cam Wilhorn|
Bucky Badger rides the Bucky Wagon before the start of the Wisconsin - Washington football game Saturday, November 8, 2025 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. The truck 1932 American LaFrance fire engine that was fitted with an electric motor in 2011 by engineering students.
Bucky Badger rides the Bucky Wagon before the start of the Wisconsin - Washington football game Saturday, November 8, 2025 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. The truck 1932 American LaFrance fire engine that was fitted with an electric motor in 2011 by engineering students. | Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Wisconsin Badgers

The Wisconsin Badgers' 13-10 upset win over No. 24 Washington was critical for several reasons.

It gave Luke Fickell his first win over a ranked opponent with the Badgers, snapped a six-game losing streak and quelled fans who had begun to turn on Fickell and Athletic Director Chris McIntosh.

Perhaps most importantly of all, it gave Wisconsin some positive momentum on the recruiting trail -- momentum they used to land an impressive running back recruit.

Badgers flip 2026 FIU commit Qwantavius Wiggins

Wiggins, who goes by the nickname "Fatboy" had been committed to Florida International University since June, and he received an offer from Wisconsin on Oct. 31 before taking an official visit to Madison for Saturday's matchup against Washington.

Days later, the Badgers beat out other contenders like Florida State to land Wiggins' commitment.

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Wiggins is rated as a three-star RB and the 52nd best tailback in the 2026 class, according to Rivals Industry Rankings. However, 247 Sports has Wiggins as the 24th best RB.

As a senior for Langston Hughes High School, Wiggins rushed for 823 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging a whopping 9.6 yards per carry.

The speedy 5-foot-10, 195-pound tailback from Fairburn, Georgia, becomes Wisconsin's second running back commit in the class, joining four-star Amari Latimer, who also hails from Georgia.

Between Wiggins and the bruising Latimer, the Badgers seemingly have a thunder and lightning combination set to join an already deep backfield next season.

Related: Injury report reveals decimated Wisconsin football running back room

However, Wisconsin may have some work to do in order to retain the commitment of Latimer. Latimer has received plenty of interest from schools like Ohio State, Miami and Tennessee since committing to the Badgers in June.

While the transfer portal adds a significant level of uncertainty, Wisconsin could return running backs Gideon Ituka, Dilin Jones and Darrion Dupree next season, in addition to Wiggins and Latimer.

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Cam Wilhorn
CAM WILHORN

Cam Wilhorn is a University of Wisconsin School of Journalism Graduate and Wisconsin native. He's been covering Wisconsin sports since 2023 for outlets like BadgerBlitz.com, Badger of Honor and The Badger Herald.

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