Wisconsin football loses the top-ranked commit in its class of 2026

After Wisconsin football took a key step forward in the class of 2026 by flipping offensive tackle Brady Bekkenhuis from Boston College on Wednesday morning, the program took a step backward just hours later, as four-star wide receiver Jayden Petit decommitted from its class.

Petit was Wisconsin's highest-ranked commit in the cycle, ranked by 247Sports as the No. 95 overall player in the class, the No. 13 wide receiver and the No. 12 recruit from Florida. He committed to the Badgers back in June, choosing the program over top contenders Oklahoma, North Carolina, Missouri and Tennessee.

As Wisconsin struggled on the field, specifically with the second-worst offensive output in the country (13.4 points per game), Petit took a gameday visit to Oklahoma back in late October. There were signs that a decommitment could be imminent.

"I want to begin by expressing my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to pursue my dream of playing college football at the highest level. After a great deal of thought, prayer, and honest reflection, I have made the very difficult decision to decommit from the University of Wisconsin," Petit wrote on X. "This was not an easy choice. I want to personally thank Coach (Luke) Fickell, Coach (Jordan) Reid, Coach (Jeff) Grimes, Zach Zilm, Ethan Russo, and Pat Lambert for believing in me, investing in me, and taking the time to build a genuine relationship throughout this process. Every conversation, every visit, and every moment spent learning about Wisconsin meant a great deal to me and my family."

Wisconsin's class of 2026 dropped to No. 71 in the nation with Petit's departure. The class, which is down to 13 total commitments, now has just one four-star prospect: running back Amari Latimer.

The Badgers have some work left in the class before the Early Signing Period begins on Dec. 3. While the team is building momentum on the field with strong recent play, it is trending in the wrong direction on the recruiting trail.

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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin top recruit Jayden Petit decommits from class of 2026