JUST IN: The Wisconsin Badgers are gearing up to host an in-state defensive lineman for a visit on Junior Day.

The Badgers are preparing to host Torin Pettaway, a rapidly emerging in-state defensive lineman, during their junior day. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound three-star recruit from Middleton is gaining attention from the Wisconsin Badgers football program. Pettaway is set to participate in the Badgers’ second round of junior day recruiting visits, confirming his attendance to Badgernotes.com.

Ranked as the No. 59 defensive lineman in the 2025 recruiting class and the eighth-best player in Wisconsin by 247Sports, Pettaway had an impressive junior season at Middleton High School, earning first-team all-conference honors. He recorded 25 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss (TFLs), four sacks, two interceptions, and a forced fumble.

Coach Greg Scruggs has been instrumental in Pettaway’s recruitment, with the two bonding over a shared experience of starting football relatively late in their high school careers. Despite not receiving an offer from the Badgers yet, Pettaway has garnered scholarship offers from Nebraska, Minnesota, and the USC Trojans in the past week alone.

Wisconsin coaches recognize Pettaway’s potential as a dual threat on the defensive line, capable of both effective pass rush attempts and stout run-stopping. The visit during junior day provides an opportunity for the Badgers’ coaching staff to assess Pettaway further and potentially extend an offer.

Coach Scruggs has a track record of success, securing four-star defensive linemen in the 2024 recruiting cycle. The addition of Ernest Willor Jr., Dillan Johnson, and Hank Weber showcased Scruggs’ ability to recruit top talent. How the Wisconsin football program continues to build its defensive line in the upcoming cycle will be crucial for aligning with the team’s evolving schematic direction.

Given Pettaway’s promising potential, engaging with him before his offer list expands appears to be a strategic move for the Badgers. His visit and the subsequent recruitment decisions will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Wisconsin’s defensive line.