Tag: class of 2023

Luke Fickell’s first recruiting class has been decimated by the transfer portal

Luke Fickell’s first recruiting class has been decimated by the transfer portal

Many applauded Luke Fickell for his work in the class of 2023 recruiting cycle after arriving on campus in early December.

The class was mostly in shambles after Paul Chryst was fired a few months earlier. Fickell hit the ground running, pushing the class to 15 commitments and a respectable ranking of No. 58 in the nation.

Related: Wisconsin football 2024 transfer portal tracker

Now exactly two years later, most of that class is no longer with the program. With offensive lineman James Durand entering the transfer portal on Friday, 11 of that 15-player class has now departed. Two did so after the 2023 season — edge rusher Jordan Mayer and cornerback A.J. Tisdell. A whopping nine players have joined that list just in the last week.

Here is an extended look at the entire class ordered by 247Sports ranking:

  • S Braedyn Moore — transfer portal (Dec. 3, 2024)
  • WR Trech Kekahuna — transfer portal (Dec. 4, 2024)
  • iOL James Durand — transfer portal (Dec. 6, 2024)
  • CB Amare Snowden — transfer portal (Dec. 1, 2024)
  • CB Jonas Duclona — transfer portal (Dec. 2, 2024)
  • DL Jamel Howard — Wisconsin backup defensive lineman
  • CB A.J. Tisdell — transferred to Incarnate Word (April 26, 2024)
  • CB Jace Arnold — transfer portal (Dec. 3, 2024)
  • RB Nate White — transfer portal (Dec. 4, 2024)
  • Edge Jordan Mayer — transferred to Penn State (Dec. 7, 2023)
  • TE Tucker Ashcraft — Wisconsin starting tight end
  • LB Tyler Jansey — Wisconsin backup linebacker
  • S Justin Taylor — transfer portal (Dec. 3, 2024)
  • LB Christian Alliegro — Wisconsin starting inside linebacker
  • QB Cole LaCrue — transfer portal (Nov. 21, 2024)

Just Jamel Howard, Tucker Ashcraft, Tyler Jansey and Christian Alliegro remain with the program from that class. Ashcraft and Alliegro played prominent on-field roles this past season.

The circumstance with every player is different. Both LaCrue and White faced uphill battles for snaps and playing time, while the opposite can be said for those numerous members of the secondary.

The most glaring departure by far is Kekahuna. The talented wide receiver was arguably underutilized in Phil Longo’s offense throughout the 2024 season. Though Will Pauling may return as Wisconsin’s top slot receiver in 2025, Kekahuna figured to play a significant role in the team’s new offensive system — whatever that specifically looks like.

This wave of exits crushes the team’s depth at cornerback and safety, adding the two positions as significant needs this transfer cycle. More than that, it also signals the current age of the sport. High school recruiting is still paramount. But excelling in that area won’t tell the full story when numerous players across the country transfer within their first two years at the college level.

The movement can likely be credited to the state of the sport. It’s something that needs to be a one-off, however. Fickell and his staff can’t afford another wave of departures from its top-ranked 2024 or 2025 classes.

For more on Wisconsin’s recent transfer movement and what it means for the team moving forward, bookmark our 2024 transfer portal tracker.

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BREAKING: Wisconsin loses 10th overall player, another class of 2023 commit to the transfer portal

BREAKING: Wisconsin loses 10th overall player, 10th class of 2023 commit to the transfer portal

Wisconsin redshirt freshman running back Nate White is entering the transfer portal, according to 247Sports’ Evan Flood.

He would be the 10th Badger to enter the portal since the team’s season concluded last Friday. Of note, he is yet another member of the program’s class of 2023 to depart after only two seasons.

Related: Key takeaways from Wisconsin’s early wave of transfer portal losses

White originally joined the program as a three-star recruit in that class. He was ranked by 247Sports as the No. 694 player in the country, No. 51 running back and No. 1 recruit from the state of Wisconsin.

The versatile running back did not see any playing time during his two years with the program. He was stuck in a crowded running back room, led by players including Braelon Allen, Chez Mellusi, Tawee Walker, Cade Yacamelli and Darrion Dupree over that time.

His path to future carries was a tough one. Wisconsin’s class of 2024 included top commits Dilin Jones and Dupree at the position, plus three-star Gideon Ituka. Even with Walker and Mellusi gone after 2024, the position group projects to be one of the deepest on the team moving forward.

White’s departure isn’t a surprise given that standing. But it is noteworthy, since he is now the 10th player from Wisconsin’s class of 2023 to enter the portal. Of the 15-signee class, only LB Christian Alliegro, LB Tyler Jansey, TE Tucker Ashcraft, DL Jamel Howard and iOL James Durand remain with the program.

Both White and promising wide receiver Trech Kekahuna joined the group of departures from that class on Wednesday.

Wisconsin needs a busy transfer cycle with all of its roster needs, and with the quantity of depth that has recently departed. Until the commitments begin, bookmark our 2024 transfer portal tracker to stay up-to-date on the full list of departures.

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

BREAKING: Wisconsin loses seventh player, fourth defensive back to the transfer portal

BREAKING: Wisconsin loses seventh player, fourth defensive back to the transfer portal

Wisconsin class of 2023 cornerback Jace Arnold announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Tuesday.

Arnold is now the seventh former Badger to enter the portal, joining QB Cole LaCrue, OLB Leon Lowery, CB Jonas Duclona, DB Amare Snowden, DL Curt Neal, and DB Justin Taylor. Notably, Arnold is the fourth defensive back and fourth player from Wisconsin’s class of 2023 to enter.

On Tuesday alone, Neal, Taylor and Arnold all announced their intentions to transfer from UW.

“First and foremost I want to thank God for blessing me with the unique gift and the ability to play the game that I have come to love,” Arnold wrote on X. “I want to express my gratitude to my teammates and coaches for the experiences and lessons I’ve gained throughout the last two years of my life. I will always be appreciative of the Wisconsin community and coaching staff. Having said that, after giving it much thought and consulting with my family I have decided to enter the transfer portal with three years of eligibility.”

The DB signed with the Badgers as a three-star recruit in the class of 2023 after an impressive 40-tackle, two-INT and 300 all-purpose-yard season in 2022 at Marietta High School in Georgia. He committed to UW in June of 2022.

Arnold played in 14 games during his tenure as a Badger. In those games, he recored one tackle on Oct. 26, 2024, against Penn State. Like Taylor, his departure isn’t much of a surprise.

Defensive back has suddenly become a big need for Wisconsin this offseason. Most of the room’s depth is now portal-bound.

For updates on Wisconsin’s full list of incoming and outgoing transfers, bookmark our 2024 transfer portal tracker.

Husker soccer shuts out Maryland for tenth win of the season

Nebraska soccer had its Thursday match moved to an early afternoon showdown with Maryland due to the weather.

Nebraska soccer had its Thursday match moved to an early afternoon showdown with Maryland due to the weather. The Huskers responded with a 3-0 shutout over the Terrapins to snatch their 10th win of the season, their first 10-win season since 2016.

Maryland finished the match with 12 total shots and five on goal. All five shots on goal were met by Sami Hauk, who earned her fourth shutout of the season. Sarah Weber and Eleanor Dale combined for 13 shots with seven on goal for Nebraska.

Weber struck first for the Huskers, nailing her eighth goal of the season. Dale joined Weber in scoring during the second half of play. The senior scored two goals in the win, pushing her season and nation-leading total to 21. Dale is just the fifth Husker in school history to score 20-plus goals in a season and the first Husker to reach this achievement since 2009.

Nebraska is 10-2-3 with three regular-season games remaining. The team will travel up to Minnesota to clash with the Golden Gophers on Oct. 15. The match is set for 1:00 p.m. and can be viewed on B1G+.

LOOK: Jersey numbers revealed for Wisconsin’s incoming freshmen

Jersey numbers are out for Wisconsin’s incoming freshmen:

Wisconsin basketball’s class of 2023 is officially on campus and beginning to prepare for the upcoming season.

The group, led by top center Gus Yalden, is ranked No. 57 on 247Sports.com. Also consider the offseason addition of transfer guard A.J. Storr, and it figures to be a group that will make a sizable impact on the program from day one.

Wisconsin’s recruiting has taken off since the 2023 cycle concluded. Greg Gard currently has the nation’s 17 overall class in 2024 led by top point guard Daniel Frietag. With the Kon Knueppel sweepstakes still ongoing, it’s a class still with the potential to finish within the nation’s top five.

The Badgers will take the court before the 2024 cycle comes to an end. When they do, here are the jersey numbers 2023’s incoming freshmen will wear:

College football recruiting watchlist: USA TODAY Sports college wires weigh in on Class of 2023

USA TODAY Sports college wire editors share their thoughts about the most exciting prospect from some of the top Power Five programs in the country.

The Class of 2023 left the football recruiting world—and college fan bases—entranced for well over a year and a half, with high-profile names like Arch Manning creating significant buzz about their possible college landing spots.

The hype didn’t fall short on the field in 2022, either, as the top-tier crop  delivered consistently, adding to the excitement about one of the better classes in recent high school football history.

And now that the signing-period commotion is in the rearview, we know where the ’23 talents are headed to begin their college football careers, which introduces the other side of the recruiting tunnel.

To better grasp that part of the equation, we’ve turned to the USA TODAY Sports college wire writers who will be following the top recruits at Power Five schools in the SEC, Big Ten, Pac-12, ACC, and beyond in 2023.

Our question was simple: Who are you most excited to watch from the Class of 2023?

Here’s what they had to say…

Oregon has trio of true freshmen identified as early impact players

There are a trio of young Ducks who are expected to be playmakers as true freshmen this season

Oregon has recruiting at a good pace in the last few years, starting with Mario Cristobal. But when Dan Lanning was hired, the recruiting has gone to another level.
The second-year coach doesn’t just recruit these kids to sit on the sideline and watch. Sure, some will definitely do that and redshirt and some will play just on the special teams to start out with.

But there are a handful of freshmen who could, and probably should, make an immediate impact on the 2023 season. According to On3.com writer Matt Zenitz, the Ducks have three such players.

The first player is wide receiver Jurrion Dickey, a five-star recruit and the No. 2 receiver in the Class of 2023. Although he is with a group that includes Troy Franklin, part of what is considered one of the top receiver rooms in the country, Dickey’s talent is too much to ignore and he could see the field early and often.

Freshman No. 2 on the list is the No. 1 player out of the state of Oregon in linebacker Teitum Tuioti out of Hawai’i and finally Sheldon High School in Eugene. He had a solid Spring Game as an early enrollee and turned some heads.

Finally is defensive end and edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei, who also had a good first outing on the Autzen Stadium turf. He’ll most likely start from Day 1 and his career will be off and running.

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WATCH: Defensive freshman introduce themselves

The 2023 Badger football season is one of the most anticipated in a long time, maybe ever, as Luke Fickell takes over at head coach. 

The 2023 Badger football season is one of the most anticipated in a long time, maybe ever, as Luke Fickell takes over at head coach. As a defensive coach at a school that prides itself on that side of the ball, it’s only natural that the freshman defenders introduce themselves to the fans.

Defensive coordinator Mike Tressel will also be taking over in Madison, replacing long-time fan-favorite Jim Leonhard, but rest easy Badger fans, this guy has a strong track record. In 2021, his Cincinnati defense boasted the 5th best total ranking in the country, just one slot behind Wisconsin.

Additionally, he’s worked with NFL talent in the secondary such as cornerbacks Sauce Gardner (Jets) and Coby Bryant (Seahawks), while Luke Fickell has played defensive line himself (1993-1996 at Ohio State), making for a well-rounded duo.

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WATCH: Every Wisconsin basketball addition in action at practice

Wisconsin basketball got a lot more talented this week

Head Coach Greg Gard and Wisconsin basketball are set for a large-scale infusion of talent over the next few years.

It started this week, as the program welcomed transfer guard A.J. Storr and a solid class of 2023 to campus. Indications are it will continue at a torrid pace, with top 2024 recruit Daniel Freitag as the current face of an impressive recruiting charge from Gard and his staff.

Wisconsin is set up for success in the short term with the core of Chucky Hepburn, Stevel Crowl and Tyler Wahl back for this season. But the future looks brighter by the day, with Connor Essegian, Storr and others ready to team up with top recruits and continue a strong stretch of Wisconsin basketball.

The first wave of that young talent arrived on campus last week and is now in action at offseason practice. Wisconsin Basketball Tweeted a first look at the new group:

LOOK: Wisconsin basketball’s class of 2023 arrives on campus

Gus Yalden, John Blackwell and Wisconsin’s class of 2023 have officially arrived.

Head Coach Greg Gard and the Wisconsin basketball program have made recent waves on the recruiting trail, adding St. Johns transfer A.J. Storr and highly-touted 2024 prospect Daniel Freitag. The program seems to be taking strides forward after a disappointing 2022-23 campaign.

The 2023-24 team sees Steven Crowl, Chucky Hepburn and Tyler Wahl return for another season and now gets the infusion of Storr and an impressive class of 2023. Signs point towards a highly-successful season upcoming for Gard and his program.

That class of 2023 finished the recruiting cycle ranked No. 34 nationally in the 247Sports composite ranking and No. 7 in the Big Ten. The class of four-star center Gus Yalden, three-star power forward Nolan Winter and three-star point guard John Blackwell has Badger fans excited, and rightfully so.

That class arrived on campus for the first time earlier today, as documented by the Wisconsin basketball Twitter account:

Gard’s program has operated mostly under the radar with the current outward excitement surrounding Luke Fickell and the football program. But as noted, it’s been an impressive offseason, one which seemingly has the team set to be quite good in the next 4-5 years.

Much is left to happen before that point. But it would not surprise me if we see the 2023 recruiting class make an impact as soon as they step on the court.