By Mark Pszonak
On February 4th I wrote that head coach Luke Fickell was losing the state of Wisconsin. This continued last night when another top 2026 in-state recruit, offensive lineman Gavin Meier, committed to conference rival Minnesota.
1000% Committed!!!#RTB🚣@GopherFootball @Coach_Fleck @Callybrian @CoachBain75 @nick20lee @Shakes_GopherFB @WTSTFootball @AllenTrieu @CoachKregerWTST @On3Recruits @MJ_NFLDraft @OJW_Scouting @PrepRedzoneWI @NWahlScouting @Coach_Fleck @On3Recruits @247Sports @Minnesota247… pic.twitter.com/Wk6mAr8zw9
— Gavin Meier 3🌟 (@gavinmeier72) March 27, 2025
While this is a down recruiting year in the state, Meier becomes the second top recruit, and offensive lineman, committed to a Big Ten program other than the Badgers. He joins Samuel Simpson, who committed to Indiana earlier this year.
Meier, recently took unofficial visits to Auburn, Wisconsin and Minnesota, before pulling the trigger late last night. Aside from these three programs, he also had offers from Indiana, Washington State, Northwestern, USF, Colorado State and others.
Currently, Meier still has official visits scheduled to Indiana (May 2), Wisconsin (May 29) and Auburn (June 7). While there is no word yet that these have been cancelled, it is likely that none of these will occur.
For Wisconsin, the recruiting malaise continues. The Badgers currently only have two 2026 commitments, both from Indiana, as they will likely not land any top in-state targets during this cycle.
