Over the next few weeks we will be releasing our Player Rankings for the football Class of 2027. Player rankings are compiled by Bound Wisconsin football writer Travis Wilson and are based on a combination of college potential, recruiting interest/offers, in-person evaluations, film evaluations, coach evaluations, stats, post-season awards, and more.
PREVIOUSLY RELEASED CLASS OF 2027 PLAYER RANKINGS
Class of 2027 Edge Defenders
1. Isaac Miller, Catholic Memorial – Miller is one of the top prospects in the state’s talented 2027 class, earning offers from dozens of colleges around the country before committing to Wisconsin. He was an All-Conference pick last year after recording 46 tackles, four tackles for loss, and two sacks. He has an impressive frame with outstanding length, with solid athletic ability and strength that is continuing to get better.
2. Guardian Harris, Fond du Lac – Harris played all over the defense for Fond du Lac last year, from defensive end to overhang to in the slot. He flashed impressive athletic ability and versatility, able to get out into pass coverage (two interceptions) or play off the edge. He was also an outstanding special teams player for the Cardinals and saw action at tight end. Harris gave a commitment to North Dakota State in the spring.
3. Brady Bauer, Lourdes Academy – Bauer is a very talented athlete who did whatever was asked of him for the Knights last season. He was dynamic as an offensive playmaker, completing 70% of his passes for 1,620 yards and 15 touchdowns with just three interceptions. He was also the team’s leading rusher with 1,197 yards and 23 scores on the ground. Bauer was the Trailways Offensive Player of the Year, but also a First Team All-Conference pick at linebacker, with 61 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks. As an outside linebacker in the team’s 3-4 defense, he was able to use his outstanding athletic ability to attack the backfield and bend off the edge. Bauer is very strong, benching 185 pounds 37 times at the WFCA Combine, but also displaying excellent all-around athleticism. He has offers from Drake and several D2’s.
4. Sam Follen, Waunakee – Follen is the latest standout defensive lineman to come out of Waunakee, earning First Team All-Conference recognition after recording 46 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks as a junior last year. He is a great technician, with excellent hand use that allows him to shed or get past blockers consistently. He also plays with very good leverage, and can get under offensive tackles to drive them back. Follen holds offers from Northern Michigan, UW-Eau Claire, UW-Oshkosh, and UW-Whitewater.
5. Colton Markohn, West Bend West – Markohn is an outstanding football player who combines excellent physical abilities with high levels of production. A First Team All-Conference player in the North Shore last year, he had 56 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and five sacks on the season. Markohn has an array of moves coming off the edge, but often uses his explosiveness to get off quickly and knock back the opponent. He earned a D1 offer from Western Illinois as well as a handful of Division 2 offers, before ultimately committing to Minnesota State.
6. Harlan Kuehn, Lourdes Academy – Kuehn teams with Brady Bauer to give the Knights a pair of top level athletes on the outside. He lines up at defensive end and outside linebacker in the team’s 3-4 defense, and is excellent at attacking the line of scrimmage and creating penetration. A First Team All-Conference pick last year, he had 67 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks. An injury suffered during basketball kept him out of most of the football camp season, but he has the talent to play at the next level.
7. Harker Larsen, Evansville – Larsen has impressive physical tools that carried over to a high level of production last season, when he recorded 12 tackles for loss and six sacks. He was listed as an inside linebacker, but spent plenty of time time playing on the outside on the line of scrimmage as well, where his size, length, and athletic ability allowed him to make play. A First Team All-Conference pick, he holds offers from Air Force and Army.
8. Lincoln Hanson, Oak Creek – Hanson earned Second Team All-Conference recognition in the Southeast Conference last season, showing some impressive production against some very good offensive linemen. He’s a player that plays with good pad level, leverage, and hand usage, which allows him to defeat blocks and make plays. Last year he recorded 47 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and four sacks. He holds nine offers at the next level across D1, D2, and D3.
9. Mason McGuire, Slinger – McGuire put up big numbers for the Owls last fall, when he was a First Team All-Conference pick in the North Shore Conference. He led the team with 118 tackles, recording 16 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. He often plays out in space, even covering the slot. At 6’4” he has good length and shows excellent athletic ability to make plays in the open field. McGuire holds offers from St. Thomas, Winona State, and Southwest Minnesota State.
10. Keith Willingham, Arrowhead – Willingham was a key part of Arrowhead’s state championship defensive unit, earning Second Team All-Conference in the Classic Eight, recording nine tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He plays with great activity and relentless to pursue the ball.
11. Evan Fagnan, New Richmond – Fagnan is the only returning First Team All-Conference defensive player in the Big Rivers Conference, where his play last year set him apart as one of the tops in the league. He had 18 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks on the year, using a strong get-off to knife into the backfield and cause trouble.
12. Aiden Devine, New Berlin West – Devine was First Team All-Conference as a running back (1,100 yards, 18 TD) and outside linebacker last season for the Vikings. On defense, he recorded 62 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks. Whether playing on the line of scrimmage or off it, he showed excellent ability to play in space and pursue the football.
13. Dante Glendenning, Darlington – The Redbirds captured the Division 6 state title last year and have a load of talent returning for 2026. That includes Dante Glendenning, who rushed for more than 900 yards on offense and also was a monster on the defensive side of the ball with 80 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. He’s very active on defense and does an excellent job finding space to attack and make a play. His speed allows him to get places quickly and find the football. He holds several Division 2 offers.
14. Jordy Walker, Bay Port – Walker was a unanimous First Team All-Conference pick for the Pirates last year, when he recorded 47 tackles with four tackles for loss and five pass breakups. The Pirates used him in a variety of roles, including as an overhang defender, in the slot, and even in a deep safety position. His ability to diagnose plays quickly combined with excellent speed and agility allowed him to play sideline to sideline and into the deep part of the field. He holds a trio of D3 offers.
15. Cole Hank, Appleton North – Hank was a First Team All-Conference selection in the FVA last year as an outside linebacker. He had 34 tackles on the season, including 17 solo stops. Playing often as an overhang defender, he dropped into coverage a good amount, and recorded six interceptions for the Lightning.
Travis Wilson serves as the Bound Wisconsin Manager. Wilson was selected as part of the Sports 40 Under 40 list by Coach & AD Magazine and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association for 2019. The Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) named Travis the 2015 recipient of the Dave McClain Distinguished Service Award. He currently serves on the WFCA Executive Board and is a member of the Executive Board of the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association. A graduate of Richland Center High School and Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Travis was a three-sport athlete in high school (football, baseball, basketball), inducted to the Richland Center High School Hall of Fame in 2023, and currently resides in Reedsburg. You can follow him on Twitter at @travisBound or reach him at [email protected].
