Tag: bradley weaver

Wisconsin transfer edge rusher target commits to a Big Ten rival

Wisconsin transfer edge rusher target commits to a Big Ten rival

Wisconsin transfer portal target Bradley Weaver signed with Rutgers on Wednesday.

Weaver, a standout edge rusher from Ohio, visited the Badgers last Friday. He instead signed with the Scarlet Knights for his final year of eligibility.

Related: Tracking Wisconsin football’s transfer portal offers, visits and commitments

247Sports ranks the three-star transfer recruit as the No. 319 overall player in the portal and the No. 30 defensive lineman. He transferred after four years with the Bobcats. He originally joined the program as a three-star recruit in the class of 2021.

Weaver was a first-team All-MAC selection this past season after tallying 44 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 8 1/2 sacks and three forced fumbles. His standout two-year stretch (2023-24) included a combined 78 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 14 1/2 sacks and four forced fumbles.

Weaver joins a Rutgers program that is coming off consecutive 7-6 seasons — the program’s first back-to-back bowl appearances since 2013-14.

He and James Madison transfer edge rusher Eric O’Neil are two of the program’s top additions during the offseason. Each player finished in the top 25 in the nation in sacks in 2024 (O’Neill was fourth with 13 and Weaver 24th with 8 1/2). They seek to translate that top-end production to the Big Ten level, aiming to rejuvenate a Rutgers pass-rush that struggled last season (No. 82 in the nation with 1.8 sacks per game).

Wisconsin reportedly remains in pursuit of South Dakota edge rusher Mi’Quise Grace. The Badgers have addressed most of their roster needs in the transfer portal; cornerback was recently taken off the board with Ricardo Hallman reportedly set to return.

Edge rusher appears to be the team’s final pressing need. For more, bookmark our offer, visit and commitment tracker.

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Report: Wisconsin hosting All-MAC edge rusher on official visit

Report: Wisconsin hosting All-MAC edge rusher on official visit

Wisconsin is hosting Ohio transfer edge rusher Bradley Weaver on an official visit on Friday, according to On3’s Pete Nakos.

Weaver entered the transfer portal on Dec. 28 after four years with the Bobcats. He’s in search of a new destination to play his final season of eligibility.

Related: Tracking Wisconsin football’s transfer portal offers, visits and commitments

The former three-star recruit had stellar 2023 and 2024 campaigns as Ohio’s leading pass rusher. His 2023 season included 34 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, six sacks and one forced fumble. He then improved even further in 2024, totaling 44 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 8 1/2 sacks and three forced fumbles.

Those 2024 totals were enough to earn a spot on the All-MAC First Team. He then helped lead the Bobcats to a 38-3 MAC Championship win over Miami (OH). Weaver tallied three tackles and 1 1/2 tackles for loss in the blowout victory.

Wisconsin has already addressed its pass-rushing group in the transfer portal with commitments from Mason Reiger (Louisville) and Tyreese Fearbry (Kentucky). Weaver would be a fill-in starter with the group and make it a potential strength of the defense.

As of today, Reiger and returning senior Darryl Peterson project to start, with Fearbry, Aaron Witt, Sebastian Cheeks, Thomas Heiberger and others playing prominent depth roles. Wisconsin focused on the position this offseason after it finished 2024 ranked No. 120 in the nation with 1.3 sacks per game.

For more on Wisconsin’s pursuit of the top transfer edge rusher, plus the team’s other remaining transfer targets, bookmark our 2024 transfer offer, visit and commitment tracker.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.