Wisconsin Badgers football landed their 15th commitment for the Class of 2026 and their first ever running back after Amari Latimer confirmed his commitment to the team after a series of visits to the team, with the last one in May 30.
Amari Latimer via Badger 247 Sports.
Amari Latimer via Badger 247 Sports.
Latimer is a three-star recruit from Sandy Creek High School in George and is being recruited by 46 other schools. Among them are top programs like Georgia Tech, Arkansas, Maryland, and Michigan.
Badgers went all in their approach to Latimer as they froze any talks with other running backs on their radar.
SB Nation wrote:
Wisconsin had gone all-in on Latimer, cancelling official visits with other running backs and electing to take just one in the cycle. That’s after the Badgers didn’t take any running backs in the 2025 class, going with the same approach for four-star Byron Louis, who ended up at Florida.
The Badgers now have a young, exciting running back room with Latimer joining rising sophomores Darrion Dupree, Dilin Jones, and Gideon Ituka in 2026.
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Windsor Forest’s Sean Cabellero attempts a basket against Sandy Creek’s Amari Latimer during the State semifinal game on Friday, Feb, 28,2025 at Ft. Valley State University.
Latimer, who also plays basketball for his school, is rated as a three-star prospect by 247 Sports but ESPN and Rivals have him higher, tagging him as a 4-star recruit and ranked No. 287 overall player in the country while being the No. 17 running back in the 2026 class.
Amari Latimer’s connection to Wisconsin Badgers
Latimer has a deep connection with the Badgers with his brother Geimere already part of the team as the cornerback. He committed to the team in December last year after spending the last two seasons with the Jacksonville State Gamecocks.
While his brother may be a factor in Amari’s commitment, his father Geimere Sr. shared that running backs coach Devon Spalding’s words played a huge role in finalizing the commitment.
The older Latimer said Spalding laid out his plan to develop his son and make him ready for the National Football League.
Wisconsin Badgers DB Geimere Latimer II via X
Wisconsin Badgers DB Geimere Latimer II via X
“Their relationship [with Spalding] is one that Amari sees as almost like a big brother, an authoritative type big brother,” said Giimere Sr. in an interview with Badger 247’s Evan Flood.
“Amari values their conversations. Coach Spalding, not that Amari isn’t confident — Spalding speaks positively into him at all times. Spalding has a way of talking to him where Amarri feels like he could play in the NFL right now. I feel like whether Amari goes to Wisconsin or not, the relationship they’ve built will stand the test of time. There will always be a bond. It has truly been a bond that they’ve built.”
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