Wisconsin center Jake Renfro announced on Saturday he would be returning to the Badgers for his final year of eligibility in 2025.
He is the second veteran member of Wisconsin’s starting offensive line to announce his intention to return, joining right tackle Riley Mahlman.
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Renfro joined the program in 2023 after three seasons under Luke Fickell at Cincinnati. He was a first-team all-AAC member in 2021 after starting 13 games for a Bearcats team that made the College Football Playoff.
He then missed the entire 2022 season with an injury before transferring to the Badgers after Fickell got the job. The veteran center remained out for most of the 2023 season, only seeing game action in Wisconsin’s ReliaQuest Bowl loss to LSU.
Renfro stepped into the starting job in 2024 after 2023 starter Tanor Bortolini left for the NFL. He led an offensive line that was arguably the strength of the team, and was far from the reason the offense finished outside the nation’s top 100 in scoring.
One last ride in Camp Randall‼️ LET’S GO!!! pic.twitter.com/ork5yjji2f
— Jake Renfro 5️⃣7️⃣ (@JakeRenfro_) December 7, 2024
His return means three members of the 2024 offensive line will be back — Renfro, Mahlman and left guard Joe Brunner.
Big questions will surround Wisconsin’s left tackle position entering the season. Top freshman Kevin Heywood could win the job if the program does not land a top veteran in the transfer portal.
Wisconsin officially hired Kansas’ Jeff Grimes to its vacant offensive coordinator role on Saturday. While he has significant work to do to rebuild a struggling unit, the team’s returning talent and experience up front should provide a significant help. Renfro’s return is big news in that regard.
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