Wisconsin football picks up 2026 preferred walk-on commitment from Will Mikonowicz
Wisconsin football has landed an in-state PWO commitment in the 2026 recruiting class from Reedsburg athlete Will Mikonowicz.
The University of Wisconsin football staff added another piece to its 2026 recruiting class, and the path that brought him to Madison says just as much about the program’s history as it does about the player himself.
The commitment comes in the form of a preferred walk-on, but the résumé behind it reads more like that of a scholarship prospect. It’s an in-state evaluation rooted in production, versatility, and a season that was difficult to ignore, even in a landscape dominated by stars and rankings.
That player is Reedsburg’s Will Mikonowicz, a two-way standout who announced his commitment to the Badgers after earning a preferred walk-on opportunity from safeties coach Jack Cooper and the Wisconsin staff.
“Grateful to announce my commitment to UW,” Mikonowicz wrote. “Blessed for the opportunity and to be able to represent my home state.”
Measured at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds with a 6-foot-4 wingspan, Mikonowicz brings a physical profile that helps explain why Wisconsin’s staff viewed him as more than just a shot in the dark. He benches 305 pounds, squats 415, and has been timed at 4.51 in the 40-yard dash.
Unranked by the recruiting services, Mikonowicz initially committed to Minnesota-Duluth back in July before his senior film sparked renewed interest by the Badgers late in the process and led to a flip to Wisconsin.
Mikonowicz has a background that spans multiple positions and responsibilities. Early in his high school career, he worked primarily at quarterback before transitioning to running back, while also serving as a key defensive presence in the secondary at safety. That versatility showed up on film and ultimately helped put him on Wisconsin’s radar.
The preferred walk-on offer came after Mikonowicz attended Wisconsin’s win over then-ranked Washington, a visit that proved to be a turning point in the recruitment. From there, conversations progressed quickly, leading to a commitment that allows him to stay in-state while betting on himself.
The numbers from his senior season help explain the interest.
Offensively, Mikonowicz rushed for 2,642 yards on 289 carries, averaging 9.1 yards per attempt and scoring 42 touchdowns for Reedsburg. When factoring in both receiving and return production, he finished his senior season with 3,022 all-purpose yards and 48 total touchdowns. On defense, Mikonowicz recorded 80 total tackles (51 solo), while adding five interceptions. He had a tremendous impact on both sides of the ball.
That production translated into widespread recognition. Mikonowicz was named first-team all-conference, all-region, and first-team all-state as both a running back and defensive back. He was also part of Reedsburg’s run to a Division 3 state runner-up finish and earned Wisconsin State Journal Player of the Year honors, capping off an incredible senior season.
Over time, Mikonowicz will benefit from being immersed in Wisconsin’s strength and conditioning program. Still, his comfort reading the field and tracking the ball once it’s in the air already stands out, along with a willingness to come downhill and tackle when the moment calls for it.
From Wisconsin’s perspective, this is a familiar type of evaluation. The Badgers have long valued in-state players who bring a high football IQ, toughness, and versatility, particularly when those traits show up consistently on game tape. Preferred walk-on spots are more limited than ever and are reserved for players the staff feels can add long-term value.
Mikonowicz fits that profile. With experience at running back and proven ball skills on defense, he gives the staff flexibility, though safety is where he is expected to begin his career. How that ultimately shakes out will be determined once he arrives on campus and starts working with the staff.
In a college landscape defined by constant roster turnover and short-term decisions, players like Mikonowicz carry value. Higher-end in-state preferred walk-ons give you a chance to build depth with someone willing to develop, stay invested, and earn their opportunity to play over time.
For now, the commitment serves as another example of Wisconsin’s staff working to improve the margins of its roster by identifying talented in-state players who may be undervalued but have proven they have the necessary physical tools, produce at a high level, and want to compete.
Mikonowicz now joins a group of in-state preferred walk-on commits that includes fullback McCoy Smith from Waunakee and offensive lineman Aiden Dirksen from Bay Port. And for the Wisconsin Badgers, those bets on proven production and versatility from in-state products have a way of paying off over time when development and patience meet opportunity.
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