Wisconsin football flips in-state OL from North Dakota State
Wisconsin flipped Pewaukee offensive lineman Jack Tabbert from North Dakota State, adding another in-state recruit to its 2027 class.
The Wisconsin football program has added another homegrown piece to its 2027 recruiting class.
Pewaukee offensive lineman Jack Tabbert announced his commitment to Wisconsin, flipping from North Dakota State and giving offensive line coach Eric Mateos yet another in-state addition as the Badgers continue building one of the most Wisconsin-heavy classes in recent memory.
“🔴⚪️IM HOME⚪️🔴 🦡🦡🦡,” Tabbert wrote.
With Tabbert now in the fold, Wisconsin has secured commitments from 10 in-state prospects in the 2027 cycle. Specifically along the offensive line, Tabbert joins Cole Reiter, Ethan McIntosh, and twins Hunter and Reece Mallinger, giving Mateos five offensive line commitments and further reinforcing the staff’s emphasis on keeping top local talent home.
“The Wall is up around this state, and I’ll die to keep it that way 🦡💪🏼,” Mateos wrote on social media following the commitment.
For a coaching staff that has consistently preached the importance of winning recruiting battles inside Wisconsin, this one also fits the vision.
Tabbert wasn’t originally expected to end up in Madison. North Dakota State identified Tabbert early, extending a first scholarship offer in January before eventually securing his commitment in March. But after camping with Wisconsin’s staff, the Badgers entered the picture with a late scholarship offer, quickly changing the trajectory of his recruitment.
The opportunity to stay home ultimately proved difficult to pass up.
“After a new opportunity has arose and some careful consideration, I have decided to decommit from North Dakota State University,” Tabbert wrote. “I am extremely grateful for all the coaches and staff that believed in me, invested their time in me, and gave me the opportunity.”
Standing at roughly 6-foot-5 and 275 pounds, Tabbert projects as an interior offensive lineman at the next level. He has spent time at multiple positions during his high school career, but his future likely lies at center or guard. That’s where Wisconsin believes Tabbert’s combination of size, toughness, and movement skills can be maximized over time.
Turn on the HUDL film, and one thing stands out immediately: he plays with an edge.
Tabbert consistently looks to finish blocks, moves well in space for a player his size, and shows the type of physical demeanor offensive line coaches love to build around. Whether pulling across the formation or working to the second level, he plays with a level of aggression that fits the identity Wisconsin has traditionally sought along the offensive front.
The unranked lineman’s offer list may not carry the same national headlines as some of Wisconsin’s recent commitments. That said, programs such as FAU, Northern Illinois, Central Michigan, New Mexico State, South Dakota, Liberty, Yale, and Harvard all saw enough to extend scholarships. That doesn’t diminish the importance of the addition.
Wisconsin has historically built its best teams around strong offensive line play. The Badgers believe Tabbert has the traits, work ethic, and upside to continue that tradition alongside a talented in-state group that the staff hopes to develop, retain, and grow together over time.
And as the 2027 class continues to grow, Wisconsin’s message remains clear: if the Badgers want to get back to Big Ten relevance and compete for championships, protecting the borders of their own state still matters.
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