Wisconsin football lands in-state OL twins Hunter and Reece Mallinger
Wisconsin lands verbal commitments from in-state OL twins Hunter and Reece Mallinger, continuing a strong start to the 2027 recruiting class.
The University of Wisconsin football team’s coaching staff is doing everything it can to change the narrative around in-state recruiting — and so far, it’s working.
The Badgers added another statement to that effort, landing verbal commitments from Sussex (Wis.) twin offensive linemen Hunter and Reece Mallinger, two prospects in the 2027 class who became priority targets.
Both held a strong list of Power Four offers — including Missouri, Iowa State, North Carolina, and Kansas — with Hunter drawing even more attention individually, picking up additional offers from programs like Duke, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky.
The decision didn’t come out of nowhere. Both prospects had been on Wisconsin’s radar for some time, and after several visits to Madison, the twins narrowed their recruitment down to Wisconsin and Kansas before ultimately choosing to stay home.
That matters.
“It means the world. It’s every kid’s dream to play for the home state school, and I get the chance to live it,” Reece Mallinger told BadgerNotes.
Because for a program that has taken some criticism in recent years for letting in-state talent slip away, stacking wins like this — especially with players who had legitimate Power Four options — is how you begin to rebuild trust both inside the state and with high school coaches across it.
Hunter Mallinger headlines the commitment from a recruiting rankings standpoint.
“I’m blessed to say I’m committing to the University of Wisconsin! Badger Nation, I’m home!🦡,” Hunter wrote.
The 6-foot-6, 290-pound offensive lineman checks in as a composite four-star prospect, ranked inside the top 400 nationally according to the composite. While he spent much of his junior season working at tackle, the expectation at the next level is that he’ll likely slide inside, where his frame, physicality, and developmental upside project well at guard.
He’s the type of prospect Wisconsin has built its identity around for years — long, athletic, mauling, and moldable in a strength program that has historically turned traits into production.
Reece Mallinger brings a similar profile, even if the recruiting rankings aren’t quite as high.
“Getting the chance to play with my twin brother is something truly special. We have an opportunity that people rarely go through, and I’m just excited to see where it goes,” Mallinger said.
At 6-foot-6, 285 pounds, Reece is ranked inside the top 1,000 nationally and projects as an interior offensive lineman at the next level. Like his brother, he spent time at tackle for Hamilton, but also showed the flexibility to move around the formation and play wherever needed.
Both brothers earned WFCA All-Region honors last season, further validating what the staff saw on tape.
And just as important as the evaluation is how Wisconsin got here.
Offensive line coach Eric Mateos played a significant role in building the relationship, establishing a connection quickly after taking over for AJ Blazek. Offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes, Casey Rabach, and head coach Luke Fickell were also involved throughout the process, helping reinforce the vision for what these players could become in the program.
That level of involvement shows up in decisions like this.
Because when a recruitment comes down to relationships and trust, especially for in-state prospects, it’s often less about selling a pitch and more about reinforcing a belief.
“Relationships were the biggest factor for me. Everyone at Wisconsin has been very supportive and caring,” Mallinger said.
With the Mallinger twins now in the fold, Wisconsin is up to seven commitments in the 2027 recruiting class — and notably, all seven are from inside state lines. Hunter and Reece join fellow in-state prospects, Cole Reiter (offensive line), Korz Loken (tight end), Isaac Miller (edge), Dustin Roach (safety), and Ethan McIntosh (offensive line).
That’s not accidental.
It’s a reflection of a staff that understands where it needs to improve and is taking tangible steps to address it. With four offensive line commitments now in the class — including McIntosh and Reiter — the Badgers are clearly prioritizing building a strong foundation up front.
There’s still a long way to go in the 2027 cycle. There always is. Verbal commitments aren’t worth anything until the ink dries on National Signing Day. But if Wisconsin is going to reestablish itself as a program that keeps the best talent in-state, it starts with moments like this — identifying priorities early, building relationships, and closing when it matters.
And in landing the Mallinger twins, they did exactly that.
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