Wisconsin football lands commitment from top-ranked 2027 in-state recruit
Wisconsin football lands a major in-state recruit with 2027 tight end Korz Loken, a top-150 national prospect, verbally committing to the Badgers.
The University of Wisconsin football program added a cornerstone piece to its 2027 recruiting class, landing the top in-state prospect in the cycle.
Tight end Korz Loken announced his commitment to the Wisconsin Badgers during the Navy All-American Game, choosing the Badgers over a final group that included Indiana Hoosiers, Iowa State Cyclones, Kansas Jayhawks, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and Auburn Tigers, among others.
“Born to be a Badger 🦡🦡🦡,” Loken wrote.
It was a high-profile win for Wisconsin and an indication that the staff is placing a renewed emphasis on improving its in-state recruiting efforts.
Loken enters the class as one of the most highly regarded players in the entire region, regardless of position. He is ranked inside the top 150 nationally in the composite rankings, checks in as the No. 8 tight end in the class, and sits atop the board as the top prospect in Wisconsin. For a football program that has long leaned on development and fit, this was about more than geography. This was about securing a difference-maker.
At a glance, the appeal is easy to understand.
Standing at 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, Loken brings the frame and athletic profile of a modern tight end, backed by verified explosiveness with a 10-foot-2 broad jump and a 36-inch vertical. He’s a fluid mover with solid speed for the position, a wide catch radius, and the ability to win in space.
As a receiver, with some seasoning, Loken projects as a matchup piece that can be flexed out wide, work the seams, and provide a reliable red-zone target without needing to come off the field at tight end.
That said, there’s development ahead, and that’s part of the evaluation.
Loken will need time to grow into the physical demands of college football, particularly as a blocker. Adding functional weight and continuing to refine his technique at the point of attack will be important steps once he arrives on campus and begins working with Brady Collins. That adjustment isn’t unusual for pass-catching tight ends coming out of high school, and it’s an area where Wisconsin’s comfortable investing time.
The upside as a pass catcher, though, is what separates him.
Even with an injury that cost him time during his junior season, Loken’s body of work speaks for itself. As a sophomore at Iola-Scandinavia, he hauled in 28 receptions for 425 yards and nine touchdowns, production that showcased both his efficiency and his ability to finish plays. When healthy, Loken has shown the kind of scoring instincts that translate.
From a roster-building standpoint, this commitment also continues a trend Wisconsin has made clear it wants to emphasize moving forward. Loken becomes the second in-state prospect to join the 2027 class, following the commitment of Ethan McIntosh. That matters. Not just for optics, but for continuity, relationships, and long-term buy-in within the program.
This is also a commitment that requires some patience. Loken isn’t being asked to be a finished product on day one. He’s being recruited for what he can become within a system led by offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes that values tight end versatility and development. The receiving traits are already there. The rest will come with time, added strength, and reps.
For Wisconsin, this is the type of prospect evaluation that aligns with where the sport is headed, especially for a program that has long valued and developed the tight end position. From Travis Beckum to Jake Ferguson and Troy Fumagalli, the Badgers have consistently leaned on versatile, athletic tight ends to be problem-solvers within the offense. Loken fits that mold as a big-bodied target with the athleticism to create mismatches and the ceiling to grow into a focal point if everything clicks.
Landing a blue-chip recruit of this caliber from within the state, and doing so against legitimate national competition, is a massive pickup for the Badgers’ 2027 class. It doesn’t guarantee anything down the road, but it gives Wisconsin a foundational piece to build around and signals that the coaching staff intends to be aggressive when elite local talent is available.
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