Tag: commit

Wisconsin basketball loses top international prospect to Big Ten rival

Wisconsin basketball loses highly-touted small forward to Big Ten rival

This story was updated to correct a misspelling/typo.

Highly pursued Bosnian wing Harun Zrno committed to Indiana on Friday.

The fast-rising class of 2025 prospect chose the Hoosiers over other finalists Wisconsin, Creighton and Virginia.

Related: Updated game-by-game predictions for Wisconsin basketball after UCLA loss

Zrno has yet to receive a ranking from 247Sports. The 6-foot, 7-inch forward had listed offers from that strong final group of programs. He visited each this month: Indiana on Jan. 7, Wisconsin on Jan. 10, Creighton on Jan. 12 and Virginia on Jan. 16.

The 21-year-old prospect averaged 20.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists in Bosnia’s top professional league this season. He is Indiana’s second commit in the class of 2025, joining four-star power forward Trent Sisley. The class ranked No. 77 in the nation before Zrno’s addition.

The program has prioritized the transfer portal in recent years, headlined by a six-player transfer class entering the 2024-25 season. That transfer class has Indiana at 14-6 (5-4 Big Ten) on the season with the calendar set to flip to February. The team sits at No. 60 in KenPom, No. 61 in the ESPN BPI and No. 65 in the NCAA NET Rankings.

Wisconsin, meanwhile, has three players committed to its class of 2025: four-star shooting guard Zach Kinziger, three-star center Will Garlock and international shooting guard Hayden Jones. That group ranks 54th in the nation.

Greg Gard and his staff have increased their international recruiting efforts in recent years, landing Italian center Riccardo Greppi in the class of 2024 and Jones in 2025. Zrno would have been another impressive recruiting win.

The 18th-ranked Badgers are 15-4 (5-3 Big Ten). Strong recruiting had aided that stellar record. John Blackwell and Nolan Winter headline the program’s recent high school commits, while Max Klesmit, John Tonje and Kamari McGee have become big-time transfer additions.

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Wisconsin veteran cornerback transfers to AAC program

Wisconsin veteran cornerback transfers to AAC program

Former Wisconsin cornerback Max Lofy transferred to Rice earlier this month.

Lofy previously entered the portal on Dec. 17 after five years with the Badgers. He joins the Owls for his final year of eligibility.

Related: Recapping Wisconsin football’s winter transfer portal movement

The veteran cornerback had an up-and-down career with the Badgers. He redshirted in 2020 after joining the program as a three-star recruit from Colorado. He played in eight games as a redshirt freshman in 2021, recording three total tackles.

2022 was his best season with the program: 12 games, one start, 15 tackles and one interception. Lofy then missed the entire 2023 season with an injury. Finally, he entered 2024 as the Badgers’ starting slot cornerback. Minor injuries limited him to just nine appearances, during which he tallied seven total tackles and one pass deflection.

He joins a Rice program that went 4-8 in 2024 in its second year in the American Athletic Conference. The program fired head coach Mike Bloomgren in-season after a 2-6 start. It has since hired Davidson’s Scott Abell to the position.

Lofy is one of 23 Wisconsin scholarship players to depart during the winter transfer window. That number of departures previously stood at 24 for an extended time. Defensive lineman Jamel Howard’s decision to withdraw from the portal and return to Wisconsin dropped it to its final tally.

As of Jan. 23, all 23 scholarship departures have found new destinations. Walk-on kicker Nate Van Zelst is the one player yet to commit.

Lofy is one of several cornerbacks in that larger group. True freshman Xavier Lucas (Miami) and redshirt freshmen Amare Snowden (Toledo), Jonas Duclona (South Florida) and Jace Arnold (Sam Houston State) all also transferred out.

For more on Wisconsin’s incoming and outgoing transfers, check out our recap of the program’s winter portal window.

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Wisconsin transfer defensive lineman to exit portal, return to the Badgers

Wisconsin transfer defensive lineman to exit portal, return to the Badgers

Wisconsin transfer defensive lineman Jamel Howard is withdrawing his name from the transfer portal and will return to the Badgers, according to 247Sports’ Chris Hummer.

Howard is the second Wisconsin scholarship player to do so, joining wide receiver Trech Kekahuna. His return drops the number of Wisconsin transfer departures to 23 players (that including Xavier Lucas, who technically never entered the portal).

Related: Recapping Wisconsin football’s winter transfer portal movement

Howard rejoins Wisconsin with three years of eligibility remaining. He  signed with the program as a three-star recruit in the class of 2023. He was the No. 1,213 player in the class, No. 130 defensive lineman and No. 26 recruit from Illinois. He was one of the several Paul Chryst commits (June 2022) to recommit to the class after Luke Fickell’s hire.

His return is significant news for a defensive line that underwent significant transfer movement this offseason. James Thompson Jr. and Curt Neal transferred to Illinois. The room added experienced transfers Parker Petersen (Tulane), Corey Walker (Western Michigan), Charles Perkins (UT-Martin) and Jay’Viar Suggs (LSU).

Howard slots in as a depth option in the room with a chance to win significant snaps after those veteran transfers graduate. He did not see the field on defense during his first two years with the program.

His return is also big news for Luke Fickell’s class of 2023, which faced having 12 of its 15 signees depart via the portal. Howard’s and Kekahuna’s return drop that number to 10. Those two are among five players that remain, joined by linebackers Christian Alliegro and Tyler Jansey and tight end Tucker Ashcraft.

For more on Wisconsin’s full transfer class and high-profile departures, check out our recap of the program’s winter portal window movement.

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Report: Wisconsin star cornerback Xavier Lucas leaves to Miami … without entering the portal

A significant update to the Xavier Lucas saga

Wisconsin cornerback Xavier Lucas has left for Miami, according to Yahoo’s Ross Dellenger.

He does so without entering the transfer portal. Wisconsin blocked him from doing so during the winter window after Lucas reportedly “signed a two-year revenue-share agreement” in early December, per Dellenger.

Related: Significant takeaways from Wisconsin cornerback Xavier Lucas leaving for Miami

Here is a brief timeline of events: Lucas originally announced his intention to enter the portal on Dec. 19. He stated publicly on Dec. 27 that Wisconsin was refusing to release him. No movement was made as the winter window closed on Dec. 28. Lucas hired a Florida-based attorney on Jan. 7, who quickly threatened legal action against Wisconsin.

The latest update is Dellenger’s report: Lucas leaving for Miami. It is unlikely to be the last in a series of events that may carry significance for the sport’s future.

Dellenger writes that Lucas signed a Big Ten-issued template form in early December that “binds” him to Wisconsin, giving it non-exclusive rights to his name, image and likeness. In other words, it’s the closest thing in college football to a contract. That contract is not with the school, however, but rather with its collective. This understandably creates confusion about how the contract can be enforced or who can enforce it.

Lucas exiting the reported agreement and playing for Miami could result in litigation, the result of which could define the future of college football’s transfer structure.

This is the first significant case of a player challenging the strength of the sport’s NIL-related agreements, as well as that transfer structure. Lucas winning any potential litigation would make irrelevant most of the existing infrastructure the sport has in place, transfer windows as a prominent example.

This situation will also obviously affect Wisconsin on the field. Lucas was an emerging star as a true freshman and was set to lead the Badgers’ cornerback room for the next three seasons.

It is unlikely to be the last headline in the Wisconsin-Xavier Lucas transfer saga. Now, at least, his destination is clear.

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Wisconsin offensive lineman announces transfer destination

Wisconsin offensive lineman announces transfer destination

Wisconsin transfer offensive lineman James Durand announced his commitment to Western Illinois on Wednesday.

The former Badger is one of 24 scholarship players to enter the transfer portal, pending Xavier Lucas’ departure. Durand is the 20th to announce his new destination.

Related: Recapping Wisconsin football’s winter transfer portal movement

Durand joined the Badgers as a four-star recruit in the class of 2023. He was No. 356 in the class, No. 20 among interior offensive lineman and No. 7  from his home state of Arizona. He committed to the program in May 2022 when Paul Chryst was still at the helm.

The Chandler, Arizona, native elected to stay in the class after Luke Fickell’s hire in November 2022. Now two years later, Durand is part of a majority of Fickell’s class of 2023 that has transferred. The only players who remain from the class are wide receiver Trech Kekahuna, linebackers Christian Alliegro and Tyler Jansey, and tight end Tucker Ashcraft.

https://twitter.com/JamesDurand17/status/1879741595857440913

Durand commits to a Western Illinois program that went 4-8 in 2024, finishing sixth in the Ohio Valley Conference (Football Championship Subdivision).

He is one of three Wisconsin transfers this cycle that moved to the FCS level, joining defensive lineman Hank Weber (Samford) and running back Nate White (South Dakota State)

Wisconsin, meanwhile, has commitments from 19 transfers, 18 of them scholarship players. It has not added any players along the offensive line.

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Wisconsin top transfer target commits to an SEC school

Wisconsin top transfer target commits to an SEC school

Wisconsin top remaining transfer portal target, Mi’Quise Grace, committed to Kentucky on Sunday.

Grace, a Football Championship Subdivision All-American at South Dakota in 2024, chose the Wildcats over Wisconsin, Georgia, Georgia Tech and Mississippi State. Wisconsin hosted Grace on a visit this month.

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

The transfer is 247Sports’ No. 70 overall player in the portal and the No. 11 edge rusher. He joins the Wildcats after that mentioned All-American season, which included 58 tackles, 9 1/2 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and two pass deflections.

In addition to being named a first-team All-American, Grace’s top-end production also earned Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year honors.

He joins a Kentucky program that went 4-8 in 2024. That down year followed a streak of eight consecutive bowl-eligible seasons dating to 2016.

Wisconsin has continued to pursue pass-rushing talent and depth at this late stage in the transfer cycle. It recently watched Grace choose Kentucky, Ohio transfer Bradley Weaver commit to Rutgers and Michigan transfer Owen Wafle land at Penn State.

The Badgers have landed several players at the position: Mason Reiger (Louisville), Tyreese Fearbry (Kentucky) and Michael Garner (Grambling State). Still, the program is working hard to bolster a defensive front that tallied 1.3 sacks per game in 2024 (No. 120 in the nation).

Grace was one of the program’s final reported visits. As of now, it doesn’t seem poised for another winter window splash. It will, however, have the chance to revisit the position during the spring transfer window in April.

Wisconsin has landed 19 transfers during the winter window. That class ranks 13th in the 247Sports’ national rankings and third in the Big Ten.

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Wisconsin transfer portal target commits to a Big Ten rival

Wisconsin transfer portal target commits to a Big Ten rival

Michigan transfer defensive lineman Owen Wafle committed to Penn State on Saturday.

The former four-star recruit reportedly visited Wisconsin last week, following trips to Oklahoma, Penn State and Rutgers. He committed to the Nittany Lions with four years of eligibility remaining.

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

Wafle entered the transfer portal in early January after one year with the Wolverines. He joined the program as 247Sports’ No. 445 player in the class of 2024, No. 50 defensive lineman and No. 9 recruit from the state of New Jersey.

The recruiting service lists him as a three-star transfer recruit, who is ranked 785th in the portal and 75th among edge rushers.

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Wisconsin continues working to bolster its defensive line even with a multitude of transfers at the position committed. It was reportedly in the running for Ohio standout edge rusher Bradley Weaver before he chose Rutgers. The program also recently hosted top-ranked transfer pass rusher Mi’Quise Grace (South Dakota) on a visit.

The Badgers are set to enter 2025 with returning veterans Darryl Peterson and Aaron Witt leading the pass-rushing unit. Transfers Mason Reiger (Louisville) and Tyreese Fearbry (Kentucky) figure to play prominent roles, as do rising junior Sebastian Cheeks and redshirt freshman Thomas Heiberger.

Wisconsin struggled to pressure opposing quarterbacks in 2024, averaging 1.3 sacks per game (No. 120 in the nation). Luke Fickell highlighted pass-rushing as a significant area of need this offseason, given the team’s transfer pursuits.

While Wafle chose the Nittany Lions, the Badgers still have options to add at the position.

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Wisconsin loses top class of 2026 running back target to a Big Ten rival

Wisconsin loses top class of 2026 running back recruit to a Big Ten rival

Wisconsin top class of 2026 running back target Shahn Alston committed to USC on Saturday.

The four-star recruit chose the Trojans over finalists Wisconsin and Penn State. He announced his commitment during NBC’s live coverage of the Navy All-American Bowl.

Related: These seven seniors are reportedly set to return to Wisconsin football in 2025

247Sports ranks the running back as No. 118 overall in the class of 2026,  No. 7 at his position and the No. 5 from his home state of Ohio.

He commits to a USC program that finished the 2024 season 7-6 after a bowl win over Texas A&M. The Trojans defeated both of his other finalists during the campaign: an early season 38-21 win over the Badgers and a 33-30 overtime thriller over Penn State.

While the Trojans’ season fell far below their College Football Playoff-level expectations, coach Lincoln Riley continues to have no trouble compiling top-ranked recruiting classes. USC finished the 2025 cycle with the nation’s No. 13 recruiting class. Its class of 2026 is No. 4 nationally with eight players committed.

Wisconsin is well-stocked at running back entering the 2025 season. Sophomore Darrion Dupree and veteran Cade Yacamelli project to lead the room. Redshirt freshmen Dilin Jones and Gideon Ituka are set for increased roles.

The Badgers could play against Alston in the not-too-distant future. They host the Trojans in 2026 and visit them in 2027. That pattern will likely repeat into 2029 and 2030.

Wisconsin’s class of 2026 ranks No. 36 in the nation at this early stage in the cycle with just two players committed.

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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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Former Wisconsin starting quarterback transfers to ACC school

Former Wisconsin starting quarterback transfers to ACC school

Former Wisconsin quarterback Tyler Van Dyke committed to SMU on Tuesday.

Van Dyke entered the portal last month after one year with the Badgers. He visited the Mustangs over the weekend and signed on for his sixth and final year of eligibility.

Related: Where Wisconsin football transfers have signed so far

Van Dyke played in two-plus games for the Badgers in 2024 before suffering a season-ending injury in the team’s Week 3 loss to Alabama. He totaled 422 passing yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions in that abbreviated time.

The Badgers struggled offensively after his injury. Braedyn Locke took the reins at quarterback for the remainder of the season. He led the team to its 5-7 record, throwing for 1,936 yards, 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Locke, Van Dyke and freshman Mabrey Mettauer departed after the 2024 season. Locke committed to Arizona, Mettauer to Sam Houston State and Van Dyke to SMU.

Van Dyke’s commitment to SMU has one main subtext: SMU’s coach is Rhett Lashlee. Lashlee was Miami’s offensive coordinator in 2021 when Van Dyke, Miami’s starting quarterback from 2021-23, notched a career year (62% completion, 2,931 yards, 25 touchdowns and six interceptions). The veteran quarterback has been working to rekindle that form ever since.

The Mustangs went 11-1 in 2024 before falling to Penn State in the first round of the College Football Playoff. They return starting quarterback Kevin Jennings, creating significant competition for Van Dyke to earn the starting role.

Wisconsin, meanwhile, has rebuilt its quarterback room under new coordinator Jeff Grimes since the departures. Maryland transfer Billy Edwards Jr. is set to start for the team in 2025 with San Diego State’s Danny O’Neil operating as the primary backup. Top-ranked freshman Carter Smith is set to join the room this offseason.

Van Dyke’s injury is one of many what-ifs from Wisconsin’s program-worst 2024 season. Those hypotheticals will grow further if he wins the SMU starting job and again excels in Lashlee’s offensive system.

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