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Less than a week after Wisconsin upset No. 13 Penn State on the road, the Badgers secured a big recruiting victory. Defensive prospect Jalanie George, a former five-star who now carries four-star consensus status, announced his commitment to Wisconsin over Washington, Auburn and Miami (FL).
How the decision came together
George, an edge rusher from Desert Edge High School in Chandler, Arizona, revealed his choice live on the Rivals YouTube channel. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound pass rusher visited Madison during Wisconsin’s non‑conference game against Eastern Michigan, a trip that recruiting outlets described as highly positive.
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That campus visit appears to have shifted momentum. Coaches and staff, led on the position side by outside linebackers coach Matt Mitchell, mounted a late push that ultimately persuaded George to pick the Badgers.
Recruiting profile
George’s rankings reflect his standing among the 2028 crop. Scouts list him as a 4-star prospect with top-30 national placement and one of the country’s premier edge defenders.
- 4-star prospect
- No. 27 overall (composite)
- No. 7 edge rusher
- No. 3 player in Arizona
He was once rated a five-star and ranked inside the top 10 nationally; current consensus services now designate him a four-star. Badger247’s composite ranking lists George among the top five commits in program history, behind names such as Josh Oglesby and Nolan Rucci.
Immediate impact for the 2028 class
George becomes the third confirmed member of Wisconsin’s 2028 class, joining linebacker Cale Britt and offensive lineman Brock Barrows. His addition moved the Badgers to No. 6 in 247Sports’ early national team rankings for 2028 and placed Wisconsin second in the Big Ten behind Ohio State at this early stage.
His commitment was also bolstered by local ties: two of his Desert Edge teammates, defensive lineman Yahzeen Zion and linebacker Nathan Jones, are already committed to Wisconsin’s 2027 class. That existing pipeline likely helped the staff’s late recruiting surge.
Why this matters
For coach Luke Fickell, George’s pledge is another sign that Wisconsin is gaining traction in national recruiting. Between on-field results and recent investment in the program, the Badgers are increasingly competitive against traditional power programs for top-tier talent.
