Wisconsin football has captured one of the crown-jewel recruits for its 2026 class with the verbal commitment of 4-star running back Amari Latimer out of Sandy Creek High (Tyrone, GA). The 6‑foot, 215‑pound tailback announced the news Saturday, confirming the Badgers’—and head coach Luke Fickell’s—relentless recruitment strategy finally paid off .
A coveted national prospect, Latimer picked up offers from powerhouses like Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State—and even Notre Dame and Florida State. Yet, in a decisive move, he narrowed it down to Wisconsin, Georgia Tech, Michigan, and South Carolina, ultimately committing to the Big Ten program after an official visit to Madison on May 30 .
“On that visit, I knew Wisconsin was where I needed to be,” Latimer said, underscoring how the coaching staff’s consistency—especially from Fickell—sealed the deal . He credited coach Jeff Grimes for rolling out a fresh offensive look and praised the tight-knit environment crafted under running backs coach Devon Spalding—who he described as having an “NFL-level plan” for his growth .
Latimer’s junior year stats back up the hype: 1,113 rushing yards at 8.2 yards per carry, 15 touchdowns, plus 27 receptions for 363 yards and four receiving scores . That kind of dual-threat capability fits perfectly within Wisconsin’s wide-zone attack, a scheme tailor-made to exploit his blend of power and hands.
Four key takeaways:
1. National Powerhouses Beat Out
Latimer was ranked No. 17 nationally at RB in the 2026 class and held over 50 offers before cutting to his final four—all major names .
2. Wisconsin’s Singular Focus
Fickell and staff prioritized Latimer, putting other RB pursuits on hold—signaling their belief that he’d be a difference-maker in their system .
3. Family Ties Strengthen Commitment
His older brother Geimere Latimer, a transfer corner now on campus, played a pivotal role. Amari called playing with his sibling “a factor” in his decision .
4. Perfect Fit for the Offense
His blend of downhill running, pass-catching, and physicality aligns seamlessly with Jeff Grimes’ offense and Wisconsin’s identity .
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His commitment marks Wisconsin’s 15th pledge for 2026 and its second four-star so far, following receiver Jayden Petit earlier in the week—signaling strong momentum on offense .
With Latimer now boarding the Badger train, anticipation is growing for how he’ll blend with returnees like Darrion Dupree, Dilin Jones, and Gideon Ituka. For Fickell’s crew, the message is loud and clear: this program is geared to fight—and win—at the highest level.
Welcome to Madison, Amari. The ground game just got a whole lot stronger. 🏈