Wisconsin picked up a top-100 player in the country when it signed Fort Myers (Florida) Bishop Verot quarterback Carter Smith. Smith was a former Michigan commit who reopened his recruiting process in late October, and about a month later, he verbally committed to Wisconsin after some quick but extensive work by the Badger staff.

Wisconsin is in the midst of a defensive line revamp headed by E.J. Whitlow, and the Badgers were able to stack some talent in the 2025 class with Drayden Pavey, Xavier Ukponu, and Torin Pettaway, but the Badgers needed to add a bonafide playmaker in the mix, and they saw an opportunity with Williams.