In a notable shift within the competitive landscape of Big Ten and Big 12 recruiting operations, University of Wisconsin Director of On-Campus Recruiting Taylor Ewald has accepted the Director of On-Campus Recruiting position with Iowa State sources share with FootballScoop.
Ewald has been a key figure in elevating Wisconsin's on-campus visit and transfer portal integration efforts since joining the program in May 2023. Under head coach Luke Fickell, she has overseen the critical behind-the-scenes work that turns official visits into commitments and accelerates the onboarding of portal additions. Her collaboration with academic staff on transcript evaluations, major planning, and seamless transitions has been instrumental, especially as Wisconsin has pursued aggressive transfer hauls to bolster its roster in the portal era.
A native of Hopkins, Minnesota, Ewald graduated from St. Louis Park High School in 2017, where she excelled on the volleyball team. Her athletic background continued in college: She began at West Texas A&M University as a member of the volleyball program before transferring to North Dakota State University. There, she completed her Bachelor’s degree in Sport Management (with a minor in Business Management) in 2021.
That foundation in athletics gave her immediate insight into the recruit and family perspective, a trait that has accelerated her rise in football recruiting operations. Following graduation, Ewald gained early experience as a recruiting intern with Vanderbilt University's football program during the 2021 season. She then moved to Kansas State in April 2022 as on-campus recruiting coordinator, contributing to the Wildcats' 2022 Big 12 championship run by enhancing their visit experiences and operational efficiency.
At Wisconsin, Ewald worked closely within a revamped recruiting structure praised in industry breakdowns (including in-depth features on platforms like 247Sports). Her role focused on creating elite, personalized on-campus environments—vital in an era where prospects often decide programs based on visit impressions and quick academic/portal integration. Insiders credit her and the broader staff for helping Wisconsin maintain a strong recruiting presence despite roster challenges.
The move to Iowa State represents another step forward for Ewald's career trajectory, joining new Cyclones head coach Jimmy Rogers as the program rebuilds its infrastructure post-Matt Campbell. Iowa State aims to strengthen its recruiting foundation in a fairly balanced Big 12, where on-campus operations can make or break portal and high school recruiting battles.
Ewald's departure is a loss for the Badgers' recruiting engine but underscores her rapid ascent as one of the rising talents in college football support staff. Her blend of athletic experience, academic focus, and proven results at championship-level programs positions her well to impact the Cyclones immediately.