Wisconsin has been among the most active programs during the recently concluded winter transfer window.
The Badgers added commitments from 17 players (16 scholarship, one walk-on). That group is in the top 10 of 247Sports’ team transfer portal class rankings.
Related: Tracking Wisconsin football’s transfer portal offers, interests and commitments
Those additions were made as the program lost 24 scholarship players to the portal (pending Xavier Lucas’ departure). Many of those departures came from the cornerback and safety rooms, creating two glaring roster needs.
The Badgers have addressed the latter with commitments from Matthew Traynor (Richmond) and Matt Jung (Bethel). While they also landed a projected starting cornerback, Jacksonville State transfer Geimere Latimer, the position remains a significant need.
Wisconsin’s transfer portal activity reflects that reality. The Badgers are in pursuit of several accomplished transfer cornerbacks. Although the winter window closed on Dec. 28, players already in the portal have unlimited time to find a destination.
The Badgers have three primary targets who remain uncommitted: Dwight Lewis III (Marian), Marcellus Barnes Jr. (Syracuse) and Sascha Garcia (William & Mary).
Wisconsin hosted both Lewis III and Barnes Jr. on official visits this month: Lewis on Dec. 21 and Barnes on Dec. 22. It extended an offer to Garcia on Dec. 29.
Here’s more on each target:
Dwight Lewis III (Marian): Senior (one year of eligibility remaining). Multiyear starter at NAIA level; recorded 25 tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, four interceptions and two pass deflections in 2024. Also took visits to Mississippi State and Arizona.
Marcellus Barnes Jr. (Syracuse): Freshman (three years remaining). Started as a true freshman in 2024, totaling 11 tackles and three pass deflections in five games (suffered season-ending injury in early November).
Sascha Garcia (William & Mary): Redshirt freshman (three years remaining). Football Championship Subdivision Freshman All-American in 2024, totaling 19 tackles (14 solo) and 11 pass deflections. Offers from notable programs including Maryland, Utah and Cincinnati.
Wisconsin is nearly guaranteed to land another transfer, or several, at cornerback. The team lost redshirt freshmen Jonas Duclona, Jace Arnold and Amare Snowden, senior Max Lofy, and top true freshman Xavier Lucas (still not official) this portal window. It could have three new starters at the position in 2025, pending Ricardo Hallman’s decision to either return for a final season or enter the 2025 NFL draft. Depth is still a significant need even if Hallman returns.
Lewis, Barnes and Garcia appear to be three top options to fill that role at this late stage of the cycle.
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