At the start of the month, the Wisconsin Badgers made it into the top six for 2026 four-star wide receiver Naeem Burroughs, joining a competitive list of offers that includes Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Texas, and Notre Dame.
Burroughs, whose brother Quincy plays for the Badgers, is a Florida resident and is considered one of Wisconsin’s prime targets in the Class of 2026.
What has impressed Burroughs about Wisconsin?
“Just how much the coaches care,” he remarked, recalling his early interactions with them when they were at Cincinnati. “They continuously show support. I also met [wide receivers] coach [Kenny] Guiton during my visit this year. He’s an excellent coach—really personable. We have ongoing conversations, and he keeps expressing how much they want me to join the team.”
“I’ve really gotten to know him. It’s great talking to him, both about football and life outside of it. My brother often shares with me how their chats go beyond just the game, focusing on personal growth.”
The familial link to Wisconsin is significant to Burroughs’s recruitment.
“It’s very important,” he stated regarding the family ties. “[Coach Fickell] has maintained communication with my mom and dad. His bond with my brother and my relationship with him continue to evolve, which is crucial.”
“It plays a big role, but it’s not the only factor in my decision. However, it will influence our [final choice].”
The Badgers face competition from other schools, as Burroughs’s preferred programs are actively pursuing him.
He plans to visit Florida State again this offseason, appreciating their consistent attention. However, he is adopting a cautious approach with the Seminoles after their recent performance, wanting to see how everything unfolds this season.
Burroughs emphasized the importance of having a solid connection with the head coach and how it, along with the offensive scheme, are vital external elements in his recruitment.
“The scheme of the offense is a key factor for me,” he explained. “I’m not inclined to attend a run-heavy program. The energy from the coaches is essential too. It’s crucial that the head coach genuinely wants me there and engages not just with me, but also with my family, which is a big deal for my parents.”
The Badgers have recently made significant offensive changes, hiring new coordinator Jeff Grimes after the dismissal of Phil Longo. Since then, Burroughs has not been in contact with Grimes or head coach Luke Fickell.
However, he has been regularly communicating with coaches from Notre Dame, Clemson, Florida State, and Florida.
“Coach Freeman reaches out frequently. Coach Sweeney and Coach Norvell check in on me weekly, and Coach Napier does too,” Burroughs said. “I’m in a group chat with all of them, including my parents, so they keep us involved.”
At this point, Burroughs has yet to schedule any unofficial visits or Junior Days, and he hasn’t narrowed his list of schools further for official visits either.
Currently, he aims to visit both Notre Dame and Texas, having already been to Florida, Florida State, Clemson, and Wisconsin multiple times. After these two visits, he will finalize his official visit list and focus his recruitment.
