The Wisconsin Badgers football program is facing another potential setback in its efforts to build a dominant defensive line for the 2026 recruiting class. Despite putting a lot of focus on strengthening their defensive front this offseason, the Badgers are once again at risk of losing a top recruit. Earlier in the recruiting cycle, Wisconsin saw a promising prospect, Carmelow Reed, flip his commitment in favor of Ole Miss. Now, another significant defensive line commit, Djidjou Bah, is rumored to be considering a change in his college plans, especially after receiving an enticing offer from Penn State.
Bah’s Recruitment Heating Up
Djidjou Bah, a three-star defensive line recruit, has become a hot commodity on the national recruiting scene. Though he initially pledged a verbal commitment to Wisconsin, recent developments suggest he might be having second thoughts. Bah has been entertaining interest from several major programs, and his actions over the past few weeks have only fueled speculation that a flip might be coming.
Prior to Penn State’s recent offer, Bah had already sparked concern among Wisconsin fans and coaches by taking an unofficial visit to Missouri, another school with a strong football pedigree. While it’s not unusual for recruits to continue exploring their options even after committing, Bah’s increasing involvement with other programs is concerning. His behavior clearly indicates that his recruitment is still active, despite what his verbal commitment to Wisconsin might suggest.
To date, Bah has accumulated close to 30 scholarship offers, showcasing how highly sought-after he is across the country. Missouri and Penn State appear to be the most serious threats to Wisconsin’s chances of holding onto him. The timing of the Penn State offer only adds to the uncertainty, as it comes at a point when Bah’s commitment already seemed shaky.
Strategic Importance for Wisconsin
The possible loss of Djidjou Bah would be more than just another flipped recruit—it could be a strategic blow for head coach Luke Fickell and his staff. Ever since arriving in Madison, Fickell has emphasized the critical role the defensive line plays in his vision for the team. In multiple interviews, he’s stated that Wisconsin’s inability to maintain dominance on the line in late-game situations contributed heavily to the team’s struggles last season.
Fickell is trying to rebuild Wisconsin into a consistent Big Ten contender, and the trenches are where he believes the transformation must begin. The defense, particularly the line, is viewed as the backbone of the team’s identity. That’s why every recruit on the defensive front counts—not just for the current class, but also for establishing future momentum. When recruits like Bah or Reed flip, it creates a ripple effect that can alter recruiting dynamics and weaken the pipeline Fickell is working hard to establish.
Commitment Concerns
Bah has so far refrained from making any public statements about leaving Wisconsin, and his verbal commitment still stands. But that’s about the only thing holding firm at this point. The fact that he’s still fielding offers, going on visits, and not explicitly shutting down his recruitment sends a worrying signal to the Badger coaching staff and fanbase alike.
In the world of college football recruiting, a “hard verbal” commitment doesn’t always mean much—especially when other major programs are making aggressive pitches late in the cycle. Without a signed National Letter of Intent (which typically comes later in the process), verbal commitments are non-binding. So, Bah is technically free to flip whenever he wants, and the growing list of suitors increases the likelihood that he might do just that.
The Penn State Factor
Penn State’s involvement complicates matters even further. The Nittany Lions are known for their strong recruiting, particularly on defense. They have a track record of sending defensive linemen to the NFL, which can be a powerful draw for any high school player looking to make it to the next level.
Additionally, Penn State has competitive advantages in terms of facilities, exposure, and conference strength. Their appeal could easily sway a recruit who might be looking for a slightly larger stage. If Bah were to flip to Penn State, it wouldn’t necessarily come as a surprise—but it would still be a tough pill to swallow for Wisconsin.
What Can Wisconsin Do?
The Wisconsin staff is likely doing everything in its power to keep Bah on board. This includes regular communication, re-selling their vision for his role in the team, and trying to schedule follow-up visits or meetings to re-affirm his commitment. However, once a recruit starts to waver, it becomes increasingly difficult to steer them back into the fold—especially when the competition is stiff and growing.
One option for Wisconsin is to continue recruiting other defensive linemen just as aggressively, knowing that the class needs depth and that not every player is guaranteed to stick around. While replacing Bah wouldn’t be easy, having backup plans in motion could mitigate the impact of a potential loss. Still, the Badgers would prefer to hold onto their original targets and show that they can close on top prospects.
What’s Next?
As the recruiting process moves forward into the late summer and early fall, Bah’s situation will be one to monitor closely. Any additional visits or statements he makes could offer clues as to where his head is. Wisconsin fans will be hoping that he either reaffirms his commitment or at least publicly shuts down his recruitment to end the speculation.
For now, though, the situation remains fluid. Bah’s actions suggest he’s at least exploring other possibilities, and Penn State’s offer only raises the stakes. Until signing day, anything can happen—and Wisconsin is learning that the hard way.
Conclusion
The pursuit of elite defensive line talent is one of the most competitive aspects of college football recruiting, and Wisconsin is in the thick of it. The potential loss of Djidjou Bah, especially on the heels of losing Carmelow Reed, highlights how volatile the recruiting landscape can be. Despite having a committed recruit, nothing is set in stone until ink hits paper.
Luke Fickell and the Badger staff face an uphill battle to keep Bah in the class. They’ll need to continue reinforcing their message, connecting with the recruit on a personal and football level, and demonstrating why Wisconsin remains the best fit for his future. Whether that will be enough to fend off Penn State and Missouri remains to be seen.
In the meantime, Badger fans will be watching nervously, hoping their team can hold onto one of the key pieces in what was supposed to be a transformative defensive line recruiting class.
