Tag: Badger Football

Wisconsin offers transfer defensive lineman from Grambling State

Wisconsin offers transfer defensive lineman from Grambling State

Wisconsin extended an offer to Grambling State transfer defensive lineman Michael Garner on Friday.

Garner, who played two years for the Tigers from 2023-24, has received transfer offers from Wisconsin, Georgia State, UAB, Colorado, Coastal Carolina, Campbell, Austin Peay, Bethune Cookman and Kent State since officially entering the portal on Dec. 9.

While he may not possess the statistical outputs of some of the top transfer linemen, the 6-foot-5 defender notched 11 tackles and 4 1/2 tackles for loss in six contests with Grambling in 2024. He also tallied a pair of sacks and a forced fumble in his sophomore season.

As a recruit, Garner was considered the No. 219 defensive lineman and No. 54 prospect from Illinois for the class of 2023. He reeled in offers from Navy, Central Michigan, Miami (OH), Ball State and FAU while at Bloom High School in Chicago.

Garner is among several defenders circled on Wisconsin’s transfer portal interest pool.

As of Dec. 20, Louisville edge rusher Mason Reiger, Tulane defensive lineman Parker Peterson, Western Michigan defensive lineman Corey Walker, UT-Martin defensive lineman Charles Perkins, Western Carolina linebacker Antarron Turner, Richmond safety Matthew Traynor and Bethel safety Matt Jung have officially committed to the Badgers.

Given the recent transfer departures of defensive linemen Curt Neal, James Thompson Jr. and Hank Weber, Wisconsin can use some bodies at the position. Garner doesn’t boast the most eye-popping resume, but he’s beginning to receive some national interest.

Wisconsin offers sought-after FCS transfer defensive lineman

Wisconsin offers sought-after FCS transfer defensive lineman

Wisconsin extended an offer to Idaho State transfer defensive lineman Logan George on Wednesday.

George, who played two years for the Bengals from 2023-24, has received transfer offers from Ohio State, Missouri, Utah, Texas A&M, Boise State, Oklahoma, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech and Iowa State.

The 6-foot-5 game-wrecker played and started in all 12 games for Idaho State in 2024. He logged 57 total tackles on the season, including a Big Sky Conference-best 19 1/2 tackles for loss and 6 1/2 sacks.

In his first year with Idaho State, George flashed his future brilliance with 31 total tackles, 4 1/2 tackles for loss and one forced fumble.

George becomes the latest defensive target to join Wisconsin’s transfer portal interest pool.

Thus far, Louisville edge rusher Mason Reiger, Tulane defensive lineman Parker Peterson, Western Michigan defensive lineman Corey Walker, UT-Martin defensive lineman Charles Perkins, Western Carolina linebacker Antarron Turner and Richmond safety Matthew Traynor and Bethel safety Matt Jung have all offered officially transferred into the program.

The Badgers are in need of depth and talent at the position given the challenge of the Big Ten landscape and the recent transfer departures of defensive linemen Curt Neal, James Thompson Jr. and Hank Weber. George fits that bill. 

Wisconsin loses veteran kicker to the transfer portal

Wisconsin loses veteran kicker to the transfer portal

Wisconsin veteran kicker Nate Van Zelst announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Thursday.

Van Zelst is the second Badgers place-kicker to enter the transfer portal this month. Gavin Lahm entered the portal on Dec. 7 before withdrawing his name and returning to the program.

“Thank you Wisconsin, for an incredible four years,” Van Zelst wrote on X. “I am deeply grateful for the memories, friendships, and experiences that have shaped me both on and off the field. It has been a blessing to be a part of the rich tradition of Badger football. Representing this program and wearing the Badger uniform has been one of the greatest honors of my life.”

Van Zelst walked on with the Badgers in 2021 after a successful high school tenure at Loyola Academy in Illinois. He joined Wisconsin over scholarship offers from Army, Navy, and Air Force, plus walk-on opportunities at Arizona and Northwestern.

After redshirting his 2021 season, Van Zelst played in 11 games as the Badgers’ primary place-kicker in 2022. He won the starting job early in the season after struggles from starter Vito Calvaruso. He converted 11-of-14 field goals during the campaign, plus all 35 extra point attempts. That was capped off by a 47-yard field goal, his career long, in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl against Oklahoma State.

Van Zelst was relegated to a depth position behind starter Nathanial Vakos in 2023 and 2024. With Vakos back for the 2025 season, he was set for another depth role.

Bookmark our transfer departure tracker for up-to-date information on Wisconsin’s transfer movement and where former Badgers are headed.

New England Patriots sign former Wisconsin wide receiver to practice squad

New England Patriots sign former Wisconsin wide receiver to practice squad

The New England Patriots signed former Wisconsin wide receiver Alex Erickson to its practice squad on Wednesday, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

The Patriots make to move to address their depth at the position. Rookie pass-catcher Javon Baker reportedly suffered a concussion and second-year wide receiver JaQuae Jackson suffered a leg injury in August. That leaves just Kayshon Boutte, Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas and Ja’Lynn Polk on the Patriots’ wide receiver depth chart. It presents a clear opportunity for Erickson to return to an active roster.

Erickson, who played college football at Wisconsin from 2012-15, last suited up for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023. He registered 16 receptions for 232 yards and one receiving touchdown in eight games that season.

Erickson previously played five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals from 2016-20 and one year with the Carolina Panthers in 2021. He appeared in 97 consecutive games during that stretch, reeled in 96 catches and notched 1,141 total receiving yards.

At Wisconsin, Erickson enjoyed a successful collegiate career under Gary Andersen and Paul Chryst. The Darlington, Wisconsin native appeared in 40 games over three seasons and finished his career ranked 10th in school history in receiving yards (1,877)  and sixth in receptions (141).

He will now look to see the turf alongside budding quarterback Drake Maye for the remainder of the 2024 NFL season.

Wisconsin class of 2026 safety target includes Badgers in top 10

Wisconsin top class of 2026 safety target includes Badgers in top 10

Wisconsin top class of 2026 safety target Nick Reddish included the Badgers in his list of final schools on Thursday.

Reddish becomes the latest 2026 prospect to include the Badgers as a finalist over the past month. Top-ranked offensive talents such as four-star running back Shahn Alston, top 100 offensive lineman Leo Delaney, three-star linebacker Storm Miller, four-star iOL Ben Nichols and top-ranked wide receiver Naeem Burroughs headline that list.

Reddish, who received his offer from Wisconsin on May 14, now includes it in his top 10 along with Duke, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, USC, Vanderbilt, Missouri and Indiana.

247Sports considers the 5-foot-11, 185-pound safety the No. 450 overall recruit in the class of 2026, the No. 38 safety and the No. 22 prospect from his home state of North Carolina. On3, 247Sports and Rivals all consider him a three-star recruit.

While Wisconsin’s presence in Reddish’s final list is encouraging, his commitment is nowhere near imminent. The sheer number of schools in his latest announcement indicates Reddish may narrow the list down even further as the cycle progresses.

As of Dec. 19, On3’s recruiting prediction machine lists Wake Forest as his most likely landing spot at 25%, which is odd considering their omission from his top 10. Virginia Tech and Notre Dame are next, each around the 20% likelihood mark.

Wisconsin’s class of 2026 still holds just two names — offensive lineman Benjamin Novak and quarterback Jarin Mock.

Former Wisconsin safety, Super Bowl champion named head coach at St. John Neumann High School

Former Wisconsin safety, Super Bowl champion named head coach at St. John Neumann

Former Wisconsin star defensive back Chris Maragos was named head coach at St. John Neumann Catholic High School on Wednesday.

Maragos becomes the second former Badger in as many days to assume high school head coaching responsibilities, joining former star running back Brian Calhoun. On Tuesday, Calhoun became head coach at his alma mater, Oak Creek High School, outside of Milwaukee.

Maragos, a Racine, Wisconsin native, will now head to Naples, Florida for his opportunity with St. John Neumann. He takes over from former head coach Rich Crosby. He enters the high school coaching scene after one of the more successful NFL undrafted free agent stories in Wisconsin football history.

After transferring from Western Michigan after the 2006 season, Maragos switched from wide receiver to free safety for his two years with the Badgers (2008-09). He recorded 94 tackles and five interceptions during his 26-game UW tenure.

Despite going unselected in the 2010 NFL draft, Maragos played eight NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles.

Maragos spent the bulk of his pro career as an ace on special teams =. He played all 16 games for the Seahawks during their Super Bowl season in during 2013 before netting a multi-year contract with the Eagles from 2014-17. He was named special teams captain for Philadelphia during its Super Bowl run in 2017.

The Racine product finished his NFL career with 93 total tackles, two tackles for loss, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries in 99 career contests.

Now, he’ll man the sidelines for a Celtics program looking to elevate into one of the premier private schools in a crowded Florida football scene.

Wisconsin transfer outside linebacker commits to Big Ten rival

Wisconsin transfer outside linebacker commits to Big Ten rival

Former Wisconsin outside linebacker Leon Lowery signed with Illinois on Tuesday.

Lowery entered the transfer portal on Dec. 1 after one year at Wisconsin. He commits to a Fighting Illini program that is fresh off a 9-3 2024 season. It is preparing to face No. 20 South Carolina in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31 in Orlando, Florida.

Prior to his stint with UW, Lowery played four seasons at Syracuse from 2020-23. He appeared in 29 games in that time and logged 77 total tackles, 20 1/2 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, a fumble recovery and two pass breakups.

The veteran pass-rusher did not translate that level of production to Wisconsin. During his lone season with the Badgers, he recorded 29 total tackles (18 solo), one tackle for loss and one sack.

Wisconsin’s outside linebacker room mostly struggled to pressure the quarterback in 2024. Lowery, alongside top outside linebackers Darryl Peterson, John Pius, Aaron Witt and Sebastian Cheeks, combined for 6 1/2 sacks and 13 tackles for loss. That lack of production was one reason the Wisconsin defense was unable to return to its pre-2023 form.

Lowery was one of Wisconsin’s first players to enter the portal when it opened in early December. He is set to play his final season of eligibility for a team that Wisconsin will face in 2025. The Fighting Illini visit the Badgers on Nov. 22, 2025, at Camp Randall. 

BREAKING: Wisconsin lands commitment from All-CAA transfer safety

BREAKING: Wisconsin lands commitment from All-CAA transfer safety

This story was updated to add new information and correct a misspelling.

Wisconsin football’s transfer portal haul is growing by the minute.

The Badgers secured another commitment from the portal on Monday evening: former Richmond transfer safety Matthew Traynor.

Traynor is one of six transfer portal commitments Wisconsin gained on Monday, joining Arkansas long snapper Eli Stein, Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., UT-Martin defensive lineman Charles Perkins, Western Michigan defensive lineman Corey Walker and San Diego State quarterback Danny O’Neil. They join the program’s previous additions: Louisville edge rusher Mason Reiger, Ball State tight end Tanner Koziol and Tulane defensive lineman Parker Petersen.

The talented safety announced his intention to enter the portal on Dec. 2 after two years with Spiders. The redshirt freshman played 13 games in 2024, totaling 69 total tackles, 4 1/2 tackles for loss, two interceptions and three pass deflections. That production was enough to earn him a spot on the All-Coastal Athletic Association third team.

Traynor’s acquisition is notable given UW’s recent defensive back movement. Since the portal opened on Dec. 9, cornerback Max Lofy, safety Kamo’i Latu, CB Braedyn Moore, defensive back Jace Arnold, CB Justin Taylor, CB Jonas Duclona and DB Amare Snowden have entered.

Wisconsin also loses 2024 starting safety Hunter Wohler (NFL draft). Traynor is a significant addition at a key position of need, and projects to start for the team for several years to come.

For more as this transfer cycle continues, bookmark our transfer offer, visit and commitment tracker.

Wisconsin lands commitment from SEC transfer long snapper

Wisconsin lands commitment from SEC transfer long snapper

Luke Fickell’s aggressiveness in the transfer portal continues to benefit the Wisconsin Badgers football program.

The Badgers landed yet another commitment from the portal on Monday evening when they secured a pledge from former Arkansas long snapper Eli Stein.

Stein is Wisconsin’s sixth transfer commitment on Monday, joining Richmond safety Matthew Traynor, Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., UT-Martin defensive lineman Charles Perkins, Western Michigan defensive lineman Corey Walker and San Diego State quarterback Danny O’Neil.

The veteran specialist and Cambridge, Wisconsin native transfers to Madison with a pair of seasons at the NCAA Division I level under his belt. From 2022-23, Stein started in 23 games for the Razorbacks as the team’s primary long snapper. In those games, he logged 234 snaps on special teams.

He’s been named to the Patrick Mannelly Award watch list twice and also notched a spot on the Freshman All-SEC Team in 2022.

At Cambridge High School, Stein was a consensus five-star prospect by Kohl’s Kicking and Rubio Long Snapping for the class of 2022. He also elected to commit to the program over offers from Wisconsin, Illinois, Baylor and Stanford.

While Stein may not receive headlines for pass-catching capabilities or defensive statistics, the Badgers are in need of some support at the position. Redshirt senior Cayson Pfeiffer just wrapped up his sixth year of college football and redshirt senior Duncan McKinley has played in one game during his five years at UW.

For more as this transfer cycle continues, bookmark our transfer offer, visit and commitment tracker.

BREAKING: Wisconsin class of 2025 quarterback signee decommits from program

Wisconsin class of 2025 quarterback commit decommits from program

Wisconsin class of 2025 signee Landyn Locke announced his decision to decommit from the Badgers’ class of 2025 on Monday.

Landyn Locke — the younger brother of former Badgers’ starter Braedyn Locke — made his choice just 12 days after signing with Wisconsin during its early signing day window on Dec. 4.

His choice follows a string of movements within the room. His older brother Braedyn entered the portal on Dec. 11 following an up-and-down season as the Badgers’ starter. That followed the departure of  Tyler Van Dyke, who also entered the portal after the 2024 season concluded.

After those departures, Wisconsin landed commitments from San Diego State transfer quarterback Danny O’Neil and Maryland starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. Those two additions, paired with the arrival of highly-touted class of 2025 quarterback Carter Smith, would have seen Locke enter far down the depth chart in Wisconsin’s crowded quarterback room.

With the reality of the updated depth chart, the Badgers’ move to fire offensive coordinator Phil Longo in November was also likely a factor in Locke’s decision.

The Texas native committed to Wisconsin in June 2023, just months after Braedyn transferred to the program from Mississippi State. He was set to join the Badgers as 247Sports’ No. 1,108 player in the class of 2025 and the No. 64 quarterback.

Rising sophomore Mabrey Mettauer is the only remaining quarterback from Wisconsin’s 2024 squad. Redshirt freshman Cole LaCrue also departed alongside Van Dyke and both Locke brothers this offseason.

For more on UW’s departing talent, bookmark our 2024 transfer portal departures tracker.