Wisconsin football turns heads as 2027 recruits visit campus for Bucky’s BBQ
Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin football coaching staff took part in the 'Great Madison Race' while hosting several high-priority 2027 recruits on campus for its annual Bucky’s BBQ event.
Let’s talk about Bucky’s BBQ—because while the name might sound like it belongs on a cookout invite, the reality is this event has quietly become one of the more purposeful recruiting events on the Wisconsin football program's summer calendar. The grills are hot, the music’s on, but the real business is happening in the conversations behind the scenes.
And this weekend? The Badgers staff made it count.
More than a dozen visitors—headlined by two national-level quarterbacks and an intriguing group of high-priority in-state prospects from the 2027 recruiting class, were on campus to get a feel for the staff and the vision that Luke Fickell hopes will define the next chapter of Wisconsin.
As part of Bucky's BBQ, recruits took part in the “Great Madison Race” with members of the staff, which doubled as a creative way to tour both the campus and the surrounding city. Helping bring the event to life were Wisconsin’s coaches and several key recruiting staffers such as Pat Lambert, Ethan Russo, Brandon Rose, and Zach Zilm, among others.
Let’s start with the quarterbacks because, in this era of college football, everything flows through that position. The Wisconsin Badgers already have their guy at QB in the 2026 class in Ryan Hopkins—a high 3-star prospect out of national powerhouse Mater Dei—but this weekend was about casting a net into the 2027 cycle and seeing who starts to bite.
Israel Abrams, a consensus 4-star recruit out of Illinois, made the trip. And if that name sounds familiar, it should. He’s already got a loaded offer sheet with names like Tennessee, Ole Miss, Michigan State, and Wisconsin on it. The Badgers have been aggressive here for a reason. He’s one of the most naturally gifted quarterbacks in the entire Midwest.
And right next to him on the guest list? Chance Thomas, the nation's No. 32 signal-caller out of Anaheim, California, has already fielded scholarship offers from Washington, Arizona State, Kansas, Utah, and more. Both players made the trip. Both spent real time with the staff. And both left knowing exactly what kind of opportunity Wisconsin has to offer.
“What stood out to me most is definitely the city vibe I got from Madison,” Thomas told BadgerNotes. “I never expected it to be like that. It was a great experience, and I had a great time with the coaching staff and the other recruits... My perception of Wisconsin after this trip was completely changed. I definitely enjoyed myself a lot and plan on coming back [to campus].”
But the story doesn’t end there.