Promising JUCO running back commits to Wisconsin football

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The Wisconsin Badgers have made a late addition to their 2026 recruiting class, landing a commitment from JUCO running back Julius Pope, according to Chris Hummer of 247Sports.

Pope is a three-star prospect who is originally from Batesville, Mississippi, and signed with the Arkansas Razorbacks as a four-star linebacker in the 2024 recruiting class. He redshirted before transferring to Northwest Mississippi Community College for the 2025 season.

He had an extremely productive redshirt freshman season, carrying the ball 120 times for 729 yards and eight touchdowns in 11 games, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. He also caught 32 passes for 355 yards and three more touchdowns.

Pope is ranked as the No. 65 overall player and No. 6 running back in the 247Sports composite JUCO rankings. He was ranked as the No. 467 overall player and No. 41 linebacker when he signed with Arkansas.

He is the fifth running back that the Badgers have added this offseason as they look to get their running game back on track. He joins four-star high school signee Qwantavius Wiggins and transfers Abu Sama III, Bryan Jackson II, and Nate Palmer. Wisconsin averaged just 3.3 yards per carry last season, finishing with only nine rushing touchdowns.

He is the second commitment they have landed today as they are starting May hot. Three-star defensive lineman David Hill committed moments before news of Pope’s commitment broke.

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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football lands JUCO RB Julius Pope

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