Class of 2026 linebacker commits to a Big 12 program over the Wisconsin Badgers
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Three-star class of 2026 linebacker Mason Marden committed to Arizona State on Wednesday.
Marden chose the Sun Devils over a list of finalists that included Oklahoma, Kansas, Michigan State and the Wisconsin Badgers. The 2026 linebacker prospect had scheduled official visits to Michigan State for May 30, Kansas on June 6 and Wisconsin on June 13, per 247Sports. Given his decision, that summer itinerary will likely change.
247Sports lists the St. Louis, Missouri, native as the No. 85 linebacker in the class of 2026 and the No. 10 player from his home state. During his junior season with Ladue Horton Watkins High School, Marden registered 170 total tackles, 20 for loss, three sacks, two interceptions and four forced fumbles.
Marden joins an Arizona State class of 2026 that currently boasts the No. 13 ranking in the nation with 14 players already committed. That group is currently headlined by four-star quarterback Jake Fette, the No. 8-ranked player at his position. Marden becomes the second linebacker to commit to Kenny Dillingham's program in the cycle, following three-star Oscar Aguilar.
BREAKING: Class of 2026 3 ⭐️ LB Mason Marden ( @Mason_Marden ) has committed to Arizona State he tells me.
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Mason Marden is a 6’3 (225 LBS) Linebacker out of St. Louis, MO. Mason has a total of 21 offers but ultimately chose Arizona State over his finalists of Oklahoma, Kansas,… pic.twitter.com/jYTUpKbRHC— Steezo (@SteezoDsgn) May 21, 2025
As of May 21, Wisconsin's class of 2026 is ranked No. 43 in the country with seven players committed. Three of those players line up on the defensive side of the ball -- three-star defensive lineman Carmelow Reed, three-star linebacker Aden Reeder and three-star cornerback Carsen Eloms. Following Marden's choice, Reeder remains the only linebacker committed to the Badgers' class.
Wisconsin also lost out on three-star defensive line target King Liggins on Wednesday, a significant position of need for the Badgers at this stage of the 2026 recruiting cycle. Fickell and UW's leadership will now shift focus to a bevy of official visits on the horizon over the coming weeks.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football recruiting 2026 Mason Marden commits Arizona State
