MADISON, WI – Running back Amari Latimer, a top recruit for the University of Wisconsin Badgers’ class of 2026, generated considerable discussion after being observed wearing an Ohio State arm sleeve during a high school game on Friday night. The incident, captured on social media, has fueled speculation about a potential shift in Latimer’s recruitment.
Latimer, who committed to Wisconsin in late June, previously considered finalists alongside Michigan, Florida State, Georgia, Texas, and Tennessee. The running back, currently ranked as the No. 379 overall player in the 2026 class by 247Sports, along with the No. 24 running back nationally and the No. 40 recruit from Georgia, remains a target for multiple prominent programs.
Following the incident, Latimer addressed the situation via social media. He acknowledged that the appearance of the Ohio State arm sleeve was misjudged and expressed regret for any offense it caused. He explained that the practice, long utilized by his teammates since his freshman year, was poorly timed and represented, he admitted, a significant misstep.
“I do understand your point of view. That wasn’t my intent but understand how it looks and how it’s disrespectful. Wasn’t my intent but you are not wrong for feeling how you feel. This was on me. I’m gonna correct this…Just didn’t really think about it. It is a practice that my teammates and I had been doing since my freshman year but the timing and content of it, I now see is so wrong,” Latimer wrote on Twitter.
The incident has added another layer to the ongoing recruitment battle between Wisconsin and Ohio State. Wisconsin’s 2026 class currently ranks No. 57 nationally with 15 players committed, while Ohio State’s class sits at No. 9 with 20 commitments. The teams are scheduled to meet on the field this Saturday, October 18th.
Analysts suggest the timing is particularly sensitive, as the early signing period is rapidly approaching. Both the Badgers and the Buckeyes are expected to continue actively pursuing Latimer’s commitment in the coming weeks.