Northwestern Offers 2026 Linebacker, Seeking Flip From Wisconsin Commit

Ryan Cole

Oct 21, 2025, 23:29

Ryan Cole

Oct 21, 2025, 23:29

Updated at: Oct 21, 2025, 23:29

Northwestern targets a Wisconsin commit. Can they sway him from the Badgers?

Northwestern made an offer in the 2026 class today, this time to a player who has already committed to a different school.

Aden Reeder is the No. 45 linebacker in the class, according to 247Sports, and the No. 31 player out of Ohio. The site lists the current Wisconsin commit as a three-star recruit. On Rivals, Reeder grades out similarly. He's still a three-star and ranked as the No. 33 linebacker and the No. 22 player from Ohio.

The complicated piece here is that Reeder is currently committed to the Badgers, yet the Wildcats still offered him today. They likely did this for a couple reasons. For one, they must like the 6-foot-3, 210 lbs linebacker as a prospect. But they also must think there's some chance he de-commits, otherwise it wouldn't make sense to put resources into recruiting him.

One reason for optimism is that Reeder made his college choice early, hitching his wagon to Wisconsin all the way back in May. That timeline naturally allows for more thought to be put into the decision, and a longer period of time for a player to decide to change his verdict.

Should Reeder make that choice, Northwestern would still have to overcome a whole host of other outstanding offers from good schools. Indiana, a program on the rise, is in the mix. So, too, are Cincinnati and Boston College.

Any of those schools could also snipe Reeder from Wisconsin, so in the scenario where he reverses his commitment, there's still plenty of competition.

Another reason for optimism is that Reeder is currently playing high school ball with 2026 Northwestern commit Brayden Reilly. Wildcat Report's Matthew Shelton made this point on X, responding to Reeder's announcement post for his Northwestern offer.

Reilly is a safety, so they're part of the same defensive unit. Who knows how much that matters, but it certainly can't hurt Northwestern's odds that he's presumably friends with an NU commit.

One thing to not read too much into is that Reeder made a post for this offer. That's fairly common practice, even among players who have already committed to a given school. On the surface, it seems like something telling, but it probably doesn't mean much. The fact that the offer exists says more about the solidity of his Wisconsin commitment than the post.

Northwestern Offers 2026 Linebacker, Seeking Flip From Wisconsin Commit