The Badger commit was one of the most powerful forces in any of the trenches across WI. He would also contribute on the ground, giving us a taste of his future FB position with the Badgers. The senior would finish 2025 with 27 Carries, 186 Yards, 9 TDs, 1 Reception, 43 Yards, 1 TD, 110 Tackles, 44 TFLs, 11.5 Sacks, 1 FF, and 1 FR.

As if a run to Level 4 in the football playoffs wasn’t enough, McCoy would make a run all the way to a D1 State Championship on the mat. That concluded his 50-2 season and dominant wrestling career.

The Badgers are getting a monster in the backfield. McCoy will be transitioning to full time FB in Madison. That should fit his strengths like a glove. He will be able to use his explosive athleticism, strength, leverage, and heavy hands to open up holes for the Badgers RBs and his background on defense could make him an early contributor on special teams.

Friday night was a stage for McCoy to show off his full array of abilities. Running the ball with power, rushing the passer with quickness, violence, and more of that FBS level power. The strength packed into the 5’10” 220 lbs frame not only made him a powerful athlete, but an explosive one. McCoy sprung off the line quickly and did an elite job of using leverage and power to constantly collapse the pocket and get pressure on the QB. Bringing down the back on offense was no easily task either. McCoy is blessed with a low center of gravity and his strength only makes it better. I can’t wait to watch him in Madison and see him turn into an impactful FB for the Badgers.

The mismatches are who usually produce the biggest and most consistently. McCoy Smith McCoy Smith 5'10" | 220 lbs | LB/EDGE Waunakee | 2026 State WI is one of the top mismatches in the state. His 5’10” 220 lbs frame is loaded up with explosive power and quickness that make him more like a 220 lbs bowling ball flying through the line of scrimmage. That is a nightmare for OL to try and slow down. Look for it to help make McCoy one of the leaders in sacks in 2025.

Rankings Rise: 174 Up to 49

Another massive riser who is coming off of a great summer is Waunakee’s McCoy Smith McCoy Smith 5'10" | 220 lbs | LB/EDGE Waunakee | 2026 State WI . Smith holds down an LB/DL role for the Warriors and turned plenty of heads this summer with his play at LB. He also made an impression as a potential FB, earning a PWO offer from the Badgers following his camp performance in Madison this summer. McCoy’s film is fun to watch. The dude does everything with power. Every movement is loaded up with force to either shed a block or run through the man he is tackling. That innate ability to turn athleticism into power and violence is tough to find, but when you do it jumps off the tape. McCoy has that. I can’t wait to see some fresh film from him early this season after another offseason of improvements.

One of the most impressive, and fun athletes in the Class of 2026 is Waunakee’s McCoy Smith McCoy Smith 5'10" | 220 lbs | LB/EDGE Waunakee | 2026 State WI . He is an unbelievably explosive and athletic defender. So much so that he earned a PWO offer to play FB for the Badgers. At the HS level he has been a force at DL/LB. He has 4.6 speed, is a 2X All Conference and All Region athlete along with a Defensive Lineman of the Year honor. The ’26 is going to dominate the front seven this year.

I have watch McCoy’s junior tape a couple times, and every time it’s a treat. The junior athlete jumps off the tape with his explosive first step at the snap. So many times he is flying through gaps untouched and chasing down the ball with excellent range. The 220 lbs athlete also does so well turning that burst into power and carrying power throughout every move he makes. The kid is a wrecking ball in the trenches. It all accumulated into an 11 sack season. Definitely get eyes on this kid because he can play on a defense at the next level.

McCoy Smith McCoy Smith 5'10" | 220 lbs | LB/EDGE Waunakee | 2026 State WI is putting together an outstanding varsity career in Waunakee. Through his sophomore and junior seasons the highly productive defender has 131 tackles, 44 TFLs, and 16 sacks. Find the ball over the past two years of Waunakee defensive film and you will find McCoy. The 5’10” 220 lbs athlete plays with his hand in the dirt for Waunakee, but will most likely play from a two point stance at the next level. The athletic traits should carry over very well, though. He quickness downhill or out of his stance is excellent plus it quickly turns into closing speed once he gets into the backfield. His range to pursue the ball outside the pocket is another massive strength, as is his high motor to fight through the trenches and chase down plays from behind. The 5’10” 220 lbs athlete has no reservations about playing physical football either. The kid is a problem in the trenches and more than deserves a chance at the next level.

I understand that McCoy is undersized for the DL position at the next level, but a DC needs to get creative and find a way to use this kid. At 5’10” 220 lbs the ’26 DL was extremely disruptive all season long. He comes out of his stance shot out of a cannon resulting in him getting tons of penetration and blowing up plays early in their development. Smith has fantastic range as well to chase down QBs or RBs from behind. The kid is strong and violent too. There are clips of him splitting a double team without giving up ground and still making the tackle. He wins with that power, quickness, and leverage. I recommend checking this kid out and finding a way to utilize his talents.