NORTHEAST WISCONSIN – The Fox Valley continues to produce Division I football talent.
A total of 244 former Wisconsin high school standouts will suit up at the NCAA Division I level during the 2026 season, including several players from Bay Port, Hortonville, Xavier, De Pere, Winneconne and Fox Valley Lutheran.
Of the 244 former Wisconsin players, 141 will compete at the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level, while another 103 will play in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
Bay Port sends six to Division I
Bay Port once again leads the local contingent with six former Pirates on Division I rosters.
Linebacker Jayden Montgomery enters his senior season at Iowa after developing into a key contributor for the Hawkeyes.
The Badgers added freshman offensive lineman Aiden Dirksen, while sophomore linebacker Landon Gauthier returns to Wisconsin looking to expand his role.
North Dakota State welcomed freshman offensive lineman Alex Warden, giving the perennial FCS powerhouse another Wisconsin recruit.
Tight end Nate Forystek, now a junior at South Alabama, transferred from North Dakota State before the 2025 season, and freshman offensive lineman Alex Michels begins his college career at North Dakota.
Hortonville’s Klein headlines local specialists
Hortonville graduate Drew Klein returns for his senior season as North Dakota State’s kicker after establishing himself as one of the Bison’s reliable special teams weapons.
Former Hortonville standout Reggie Kloehn also made headlines during the offseason after transferring from South Dakota State.
Xavier products continue college careers
Xavier is represented by a pair of Division I players.
Freshman linebacker Carter Appl begins his career at defending FCS power North Dakota State, while sophomore kicker AJ Seidler returns to Stanford after gaining experience during his first collegiate season.
De Pere stars spread across the FCS
Former De Pere linebacker Derrick Bunkelman enters his junior season at Drake, while offensive lineman Brock Osbahr begins his freshman campaign at South Dakota State, one of the nation’s premier FCS programs.
Winneconne graduate joins Illinois State
Former Winneconne defensive lineman Hudson Samolinski starts his freshman season at Illinois State, continuing the school’s recent tradition of producing Division I talent.
Fox Valley Lutheran’s Behm returns for senior season
Fox Valley Lutheran graduate Andrew Behm enters his senior season at Southern Illinois after transferring from Akron in 2024. The linebacker brings veteran experience to the Salukis defense as he prepares for his final collegiate campaign.
Comments