Tag: commit

BREAKING: Wisconsin lands commitment from top D-III transfer safety

Another big transfer commitment for the Badgers

Wisconsin landed a commitment from Bethel (D-III) transfer safety Matt Jung on Thursday.

The fast-rising prospect is the Badgers’ 12th transfer commitment of the cycle. He is the second safety in that group, joining Richmond transfer Matthew Traynor.

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

Jung chose the Badgers over other transfer offers from Football Bowl Subdivision schools including Buffalo, Iowa State and Washington State. He was also reportedly set for an official visit to Iowa.

The D-III First Team All-American tallied 109 tackles, 10 1/2 tackles for loss, 2 1/2 sacks, two forced fumbles, nine interceptions and 11 pass deflections in 2024. That production followed a 72-tackle, seven-interception, 4-1/2-tackle-for-loss, eight-pass-deflection 2023 campaign.

He joins the Badgers with two years of eligibility remaining.

Notably, Jung is originally from Neenah, Wisconsin. He was a high school teammate with Wisconsin class of 2025 signee Grant Dean. Those in-state ties likely played a role in his decision to join the Badgers.

Jung joins a Wisconsin safety room in need of a boost after losing star Hunter Wohler (NFL draft) after the 2024 season. Preston Zachman and Traynor project to start. If Jung can translate his D-III production to the FBS level, he shouldn’t have any trouble seeing the field.

For more on Wisconsin’s transfer pursuits and remaining needs, bookmark our transfer offer, visit and commitment tracker.

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Former Wisconsin starting tight end transfers to Indiana

Wisconsin transfer tight end commits to Indiana

Former Wisconsin tight end Riley Nowakowski committed to Indiana on Wednesday.

The former Badger starter transfers to the Hoosiers, a team that plays Wisconsin in 2025, for his final season of eligibility.

Related: Wisconsin football 2024 transfer portal departure tracker

Nowakowski played five seasons at Wisconsin. He shared starting duties in both 2023 and 2024, totaling a combined 18 catches for 131 yards and a touchdown.

The Milwaukee, Wisconsin native originally joined the Badgers as a walk-on linebacker in the class of 2020. He soon switched to fullback in the program’s old offensive system under former head coach Paul Chryst. Phil Longo then flipped the veteran to tight end upon arrival in 2023, as his air raid offense did not employ a traditional fullback.

Nowakowski commits to an Indiana program that is amid a breakout 2024 season under first-year head coach Curt Cignetti. The No. 10-ranked Hoosiers went 11-1 in the regular season and are set for a first-round College Football Playoff game against No. 7 Notre Dame.

Wisconsin recently landed former Ball State star tight end Tanner Koziol, making the position a real strength entering 2025. He projects to play a sizable role as the program shifts back to a pro-style offensive under new coordinator Jeff Grimes.

The progression of the position will be one to watch as the season kicks off, as will the possible reemergence of the fullback position.

Nowakowski will be on an opposing sideline for that campaign. For more on where former Badger transfers are headed, bookmark our transfer departure tracker.

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Former Wisconsin wide receiver transfers to a top SEC program

Big-time commitment for a former Wisconsin wide receiver

Former Wisconsin wide receiver Keontez Lewis committed to Oklahoma on Wednesday.

The former Badger spent the 2024 season at Southern Illinois. He joins the Sooners with one year of eligibility remaining.

Related: Wisconsin football 2024 transfer portal departure tracker

Lewis transferred to the Badgers in 2022 after his freshman season at UCLA. He flashed significant playmaking ability as one of the team’s primary outside wide receivers that season, catching 20 passes for 313 yards and three touchdowns. His best game was a three-catch, 71-yard, one-touchdown outing against rival Iowa.

Lewis then fell down the depth chart entering the 2023 season after the arrival of Phil Longo and a host of transfer receivers. He played in just one game that season, catching one pass for 12 yards. The 6’2″ wideout reentered the portal after the team’s Week 2 loss to Washington State.

The tide turned for Lewis in his one year at Southern Illinois. He led the Salukis with 49 catches, 790 receiving yards and five touchdowns, plus aded 10 carries, 121 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.

His best outing was a nine-touch (eight receptions, one carry), 205-yard (148 receiving, 57 rushing), two-touchdown breakout in a narrow win over Incarnate Word. He nearly broke single-game records with the performance.

Lewis entered the portal for a third time after the season concluded. He is now en route to Norman, Oklahoma to help a program that went just 6-6 in its first year in the SEC. Despite the down year, the Sooners remain one of the sport’s blue blood programs. This commitment is a significant step forward for Lewis after one year at the Football Championship Subdivision level.

Wisconsin, meanwhile, recently landed Ohio State transfer Jayden Ballard to bolster its wide receiving corps. The team lost Bryson Green (eligibility), C.J. Williams (portal) and Will Pauling (portal) after the 2024 season. The position remains one to watch as the Badgers continue their transfer recruiting.

Lewis is one of several former Badger receivers to watch at new destinations in 2025, especially as the program rebuilds at the position. For more on others, bookmark our transfer departure tracker.

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BREAKING: Wisconsin lands commitment from Western Carolina transfer linebacker

Wisconsin adds transfer commitment No. 11

Wisconsin landed a commitment from Western Carolina transfer linebacker Antarron Turner on Wednesday evening.

Turner is the program’s 11th transfer commitment of the cycle and second of the day, following Ohio State wide receiver Jayden Ballard. He joins the program with two years of eligibility remaining.

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

The junior linebacker is fresh off a breakout 2024 season for a Western Carolina team that finished second in the Southern Conference (Football Championship Subdivision). His campaign included 61 total tackles (26 solo), two pass deflections, 6 1/2 tackles for loss and three sacks.

Turner is the program’s sixth defensive addition of 11 overall transfer commitments. He is its first addition at stand-up linebacker, one of the program’s bigger needs after the impending departures of Jaheim Thomas and Jake Chaney. Junior Christian Alliegro figures to lead the position in 2025 with the other starting spot up for grabs.

The linebacker is also Wisconsin’s third addition from the FCS level, joining defensive lineman Charles Perkins and safety Matthew Traynor. The Badgers have made a concerted effort to land proven Football Bowl Subdivision production, while still targeting FCS standouts looking to make the jump up in level. Turner’s commitment fits into the latter.

While the Western Carolina transfer should be added to the mix for a starting linebacker slot in 2025, the Badgers are unlikely to be finished recruiting the position.

For more on that pursuit, bookmark our transfer visit and commitment tracker.

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BREAKING: Wisconsin lands commitment from Ohio State transfer wide receiver

Wisconsin lands an experienced transfer wide receiver

Wisconsin landed a commitment from former Ohio State wide receiver Jayden Ballard on Wednesday.

Ballard is Wisconsin’s first transfer wide receiver addition of the cycle and its 10th transfer commitment. He joins the program with one year of eligibility remaining.

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

Ballard entered the portal after four years with the Buckeyes. He joined the program in 2021 as one of the top recruits in the country (No. 55 overall in the class of 2021).

The Ohio native never fully delivered on his top recruiting profile amid a loaded wide receiver room in Columbus. He played in 35 combined games over four seasons, totaling 11 catches, 177 receiving yards and one touchdown. His 2022 campaign accounted for much of that production: eight catches, 155 yards and a touchdown.

Ballard joins a Wisconsin wide receiver room that recently lost both Will Pauling and C.J. Williams to the transfer portal. Redshirt sophomore Trech Kekahuna (slot) and senior Vinny Anthony each figure to start, leaving a major opportunity at the second boundary position. Ballard joins a mix of contenders for that starting spot that also includes redshirt juniors Joseph Griffin Jr. and Quincy Burroughs.

Overall, the wide receiver group figures to play a prominent role as new offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes installs his scheme, shifting the program away from its air raid approach.

Wisconsin had a top-10 transfer class before Ballard’s commitment. His addition should propel the group further up the rankings.

Bookmark our transfer visit and commitment tracker as Luke Fickell and his staff continue to make significant moves to bolster the roster.

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Wisconsin transfer cornerback commits to South Florida

Wisconsin transfer cornerback commits to South Florida

Wisconsin transfer cornerback Jonas Duclona committed to South Florida on Tuesday.

He is one of 20 Wisconsin scholarship players to enter the portal — 19 without counting Trech Kekahuna, who quickly returned to the program. Duclona is one of several Badger transfers to find new homes, joining Leon Lowery (Illinois) and Amare Snowden (Toledo).

Related: Wisconsin football 2024 transfer portal departure tracker

The redshirt freshman cornerback joined the Badgers as a three-star recruit in the class of 2023. He was one of Luke Fickell’s first high school commitments after landing the job in November 2022.

Duclona played 15 total games over his two seasons with the program, totaling just five tackles. 12 of those 15 appearances came as a true freshman in 2023. He and others in the room saw their roles diminish in 2024 with the emergence of top freshman CB Xavier Lucas.

The cornerback’s departure reflects a larger trend — 11 of Wisconsin’s 15 class of 2023 signees have transferred, including a large collection of players in the secondary. That movement has erased much of the program’s depth at the position.

Duclona joins a South Florida program that went 6-6 during the 2024 regular season. It is set for a Hawaii bowl matchup with San Jose State. The program’s best recent stretch came 2016 (11-2) and 2017 (10-2) under coaches Willie Taggart and Charlie Strong, respectively. Now, it is far from the top contender in a struggling American Athletic Conference.

Expect Wisconsin to target the cornerback position as the transfer cycle continues. The program has done well in addressing major needs including quarterback and defensive line. Cornerback, linebacker and wide receiver will likely be the next positions to be addressed.

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BREAKING: Wisconsin lands commitment from Tulane transfer defensive lineman

Wisconsin with another big-time portal addition

Wisconsin landed a commitment from Tulane transfer defensive lineman Parker Petersen on Sunday.

Petersen is the program’s third transfer commitment of the cycle, joining Ball State tight end Tanner Koziol and Louisville defensive end Mason Reiger.

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

The redshirt junior defensive lineman entered the portal after four years at Tulane. He originally joined the program as a three-star recruit in its class of 2021.

Petersen’s 2024 season was by far his best. He tallied 21 tackles (14 solo), five tackles for loss and 2 1/2 sacks as a primary member of the team’s defensive line rotation. 247Sports’ Chris Hummer called him “One of the top interior (defensive) linemen in the American (Athletic Conference)” from the 2024 season.

Of note, he chose the Badgers over transfer offers from Notre Dame, USC and Auburn. He commits to Wisconsin with one year of eligibility remaining.

Petersen and Reiger fill important needs along Wisconsin’s defensive front. Reiger joins as more of a pass-rushing defensive end, while Petersen should play a major role in the interior.

That interior group will look entirely different in 2025 after the departures of James Thompson Jr. (portal), Curt Neal (portal) and Elijah Hills (eligibility). Wisconsin found success in landing Hills from Albany before the 2024 season. Petersen projects to have a similar impact. He also brings a track record of strong production at a successful Group of Five program.

The Badgers have already done well in the portal addressing major roster needs. To stay up to date on all of the latest news and rumors, bookmark our transfer offer, visit and commitment tracker.

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Wisconsin transfer cornerback commits to play two sports at MAC school

Wisconsin transfer cornerback commits to play two sports at Toledo

Former Wisconsin cornerback Amare Snowden committed to Toledo on Friday.

According to his announcement on X, the former top high school baseball prospect will play both football and baseball at the school.

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

Snowden is one of 16 Wisconsin scholarship players to enter the portal since the conclusion of the 2024 season. He is the first to find a new destination.

The former four-star class of 2023 recruit played for two years at Wisconsin. He originally joined the Badgers’ class after flipping his commitment from Cincinnati, following head coach Luke Fickell.

Snowden did not see the field as a true freshman in 2023, then recorded just a single tackle in brief action in 2024. He was one of several class of 2023 cornerbacks to enter the transfer portal this week. Only four of the 15 members of that class remain with the program, the rest having transferred out either this offseason or last.

Snowden was recruited for both baseball and football coming out of high school. His commitment to Wisconsin signaled a focus on the latter, as the school does not have a varsity baseball program.

The Roseville, Michigan native has appeared to find a new destination where he can play both. The Rockets went 7-5 on the football field in 2024, making the program’s fourth consecutive bowl game. The baseball program, meanwhile, finished sixth in the MAC in 2024 at 16-14.

Bookmark our transfer departure tracker for up-to-date information on where former Badgers are headed.

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Where Wisconsin’s class of 2025 ranks nationally after big-time flip of Jaylen Williams from Michigan

Where Wisconsin’s class of 2025 ranks nationally after big-time flip of Jaylen Williams from Michigan

Wisconsin made a significant move in the class of 2025 on Wednesday, flipping four-star defensive lineman Jaylen Williams from Big Ten rival Michigan.

Williams instantly becomes the second-highest-rated commit in the Badgers’ class of 2025. He trails only four-star linebacker Mason Posa, 247Sports’ No. 163 player in the class.

Related: Everything Luke Fickell said about the Phil Longo firing, Badgers’ offensive plan moving forward

The addition moves Luke Fickell’s 2025 group to 24 total commitments. His addition led to a sizable jump in the 247Sports national team rankings, rising from No. 29 up to No. 25.

That rise brought the class up to No. 9 in the new Big Ten, now trailing Ohio State (No. 2 overall), Oregon (No. 8), USC (No. 13), Michigan (No. 14), Penn State (No. 16), Washington (No. 18), Nebraska (No. 21) and Maryland (No. 24).

Importantly, Williams’ addition also brings Wisconsin’s Blue Chip Ratio (portion of four and five-star recruits in the overall class) to 29%.

Wisconsin’s class has been in flux with several recent additions (Williams, DL Drayden Pavey, TE Emmett Bork) and decommitments (DL Wilnerson Telemaque, LB Brenden Anes). Williams appears to be one of the program’s final moves in the class.

Attention will now turn to four-star QB Carter Smith, who was on campus for the Badgers’ game against Oregon and is now reportedly deciding between Wisconsin and Florida State.

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BREAKING: Wisconsin flips top Michigan class of 2025 DL commit

BREAKING: Wisconsin flips Michigan top class of 2025 DL commit

Wisconsin landed a commitment from class of 2025 defensive lineman Jaylen Williams on Wednesday.

Williams had committed to Michigan in June. He flips to Wisconsin, instantly becoming one of the program’s highest-ranked commits in its class of 2025.

Related: Everything Luke Fickell said about the Phil Longo firing, Badgers’ offensive plan moving forward

247Sports ranks the four-star defensive lineman as the No. 279 player in the class of 2025, No. 28 defensive lineman and No. 7 recruit from the state of Illinois. His extended offer sheet, now likely irrelevant, includes top programs Florida, Florida State, Miami, Ohio State, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas A&M and USC.

Williams is Wisconsin’s 24th commitment in the class of 2025. The group is now approaching the nation’s top 25. It has a blue-chip percentage of 29%.

This is a much-needed positive headline for Wisconsin amid its ongoing difficulties, headlined by the recent firing of offensive coordinator Phil Longo. Defensive line is a position the program has worked hard to address in this class. With Williams, the group has four players at the position committed.

Luke Fickell and the Badgers staff have flipped multiple highly touted recruits from Big Ten rivals. Williams joins DL Drayden Pavey (Purdue) and tight end Emmett Bork (Michigan State). He is one of what could be several finishing touches to the class. Focus will turn to uncommitted quarterback Carter Smith, who is reportedly deciding between Wisconsin and Florida State.

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