Tag: defensive linemen

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 football offers LA Tech breakout veteran transfer defensive lineman

Wisconsin football offers veteran transfer defensive lineman

Wisconsin extended an offer to Louisiana Tech transfer defensive lineman David Blay on Monday.

Blay becomes the Badgers’ third defensive lineman transfer offer since the portal officially opened on Dec. 9, joining Elon defensive end Cazeem Moore and Louisville edge rusher Mason Reiger. Chattanooga linebacker Alex Mitchell, Miami (OH) wide receiver Javon Tracy, Richmond safety Matthew Traynor and Miami (OH) cornerback Raion Strader have also received offers from Wisconsin in the portal as of Dec. 9.

Like his contemporaries, Blay has drawn immediate interest from a bevy of programs upon entering the portal. Houston, Tulane, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Arkansas and Illinois have all reached out thus far.

The 6-foot-4, 303-pound defender announced his intention to enter the portal on Dec. 6 after two years with the Bulldogs’ program. The redshirt junior started in all 12 games at defensive tackle in 2024 and registered 46 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, and 6.5 sacks.

His most dominant performance came against Arkansas on Nov. 23 when he tallied two tackles for loss and a sack against the SEC squad.

Wisconsin’s need for playmakers on its defensive front is clear. The Badgers are losing their top three defensive tackles entering 2025: Elijah Hills (eligibility), James Thompson Jr. (transfer portal) and Curt Neal (transfer portal). Experience and production at that position, one which struggled at times in 2024, is paramount.

Blay, Moore and Reiger figure to be the first batch of many defensive front players to receive offers from UW in the transfer portal. Both positions along the defensive line are some of the program’s biggest needs during this offseason portal period.

Wisconsin football offers class of 2026 quarterback and defensive lineman

Wisconsin football offers class of 2026 quarterback and defensive lineman

Wisconsin football recently extended offers to class of 2026 quarterback Ryan Hopkins and defensive lineman Josiah Hope.

Hopkins, a 6-foot-3 prospect from JSerra Catholic High School in California, received his offer from UW on Oct. 11. Offensive coordinator Phil Longo appears to have led the recruiting effort, per 247Sports.

The outlet considers Hopkins the No. 57-ranked quarterback and No. 87 overall recruit from the class of 2026. The Michigan State Spartans also offered the pass-thrower back on Sept. 4.

Through five high school games in 2024, Hopkins has thrown for 681 yards and eight passing touchdowns. He has also accumulated 391 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns as a junior.

Defensive lineman Josiah hope, meanwhile, received his Wisconsin offer on Oct. 14. Despite being unranked at this stage of the recruiting process, Hope already holds offers from Auburn, Eastern Kentucky, Kentucky and Louisville.

At 6-foot-2, 275 pounds, Hope attends North Hardin High School in Radcliff, Kentucky. The interest from his suitors as a junior suggests Hope will garner a collection of offers throughout the remainder of the season.

UW has received two commitments from the class of 2026 thus far: three-star quarterback Jarin Mock and three-star iOL Benjamin Novak.

Wisconsin class of 2025 DL commit receives preseason honor

Wisconsin class of 2025 DL commit receives preseason honor

Wisconsin class of 2025 defensive lineman commit Xavier Ukponu was named preseason all-area defense by SportsDayHS on Thursday.

The outlet, which offers news and analysis for high school sports in and around Dallas, Texas, identified several players as the most prestigious players ahead of the 2024 season.

Ukponu committed to Wisconsin on Aug. 5 over other top contenders LSU, Arkansas, California and Oklahoma State. The top-ranked recruit received nearly 40 offers from a collection of the best programs throughout the nation, including Oregon, Washington, USC, Texas A&M, Texas, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Miami and Florida,

247Sports has the 6’3,” 300-pound defensive lineman as the No. 120 defensive lineman and No. 172 recruit from the state of Texas for his class. He, alongside three-star Wilnerson Telemaque and three-star Torin Pettaway, round out the defensive linemen for Fickell and Co. Three-star edge Nicolas Clayton will also play for UW on the line.

Given Texas’ consistent ability to produce high-end prospects, Ukponu’s spot on a preseason all-area list is certainly notable. With an extra year to hone in on techniques and intricacies for defensive lineman against the state’s best, Ukponu could arrive in Madison with an upper hand.

Wisconsin class of 2025 DL commit Wilnerson Telemaque transfers high schools

Wisconsin class of 2025 DL commit Wilnerson Telemaque transfers high schools

Wisconsin class of 2025 defensive lineman commit Wilnerson Telemaque announced his decision to transfer to Miami Northwestern High School on Friday via X.

Telemaque attended Monsignor Pace High School in Opa Locka, Florida before making the move roughly 10 miles south to his new destination. Former NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater inherited the head coaching job in February, becoming Northwestern’s third head coach in as many seasons.

The 6-foot-6, 257-pound defensive lineman offered his pledge to Wisconsin’s program on June 18. The three-star game-wrecker chose the Badgers over other finalists Georgia Tech and West Virginia. Other suitors included Florida, Illinois, LSU, Louisville, Minnesota, Missouri, Texas A&M, Florida State and Oklahoma.

The Florida product is 247Sports’ No. 779 recruit in the nation, No. 86 defensive lineman and No. 102 recruit from Florida for the class of 2025.

Telemaque was Wisconsin’s second defensive line commit in the class — a position of high priority for Luke Fickell’s staff. Other commits include three-star Torin Pettaway and three-star Xavier Ukponu.

UW’s class of 2025 currently ranks No. 25 in the nation with 23 commitments. It floated around the nation’s top 10 towards the beginning of the summer, but has since dipped after other top-tier collegiate programs filled their respective classes.

Nonetheless, Telemaque’s decision to attend a Bridgewater-led program is exciting news for Badgers fans. Given his experience on football’s largest global stage, Telemaque will absorb that professional wisdom during his senior year before arriving in Madison next summer.

PFF disrespects Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt in defensive linemen rankings

Pro Football Focus ranks T.J. Watt as the No. 6 defensive linemen in the NFL.

When it comes to the impact a defensive player can have on a game, there are few who can compare to Pittsburgh Steelers edge defender T.J. Watt. Watt is much more than just a pass rusher who forces opposing offenses to know where he is on every single play.

But when Pro Football Focus put out their list of the best defensive linemen, based on their grading system, the best Watt could get was No. 6.

Watt checked in behind fellow edge defenders Myles Garrett, Micah Parsons and Nick Bosa but also graded lower than defensive tackles Chris Jones and Dexter Lawrence.

After a down 2022 season hampered by a torn pectoral, Watt made a huge bounceback in 2023. Watt led the NFL with 19 sacks and finished second in the voting for Defensive Player of the Year voting.

Watt is the undisputed leader of the Steelers defense and continues to be one of the best defensive players in the NFL.

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Wisconsin football offers promising class of 2026 defensive lineman

Wisconsin football offers promising class of 2026 defensive lineman

Wisconsin football extended an offer to three-star class of 2026 defensive lineman King Liggins on Sunday.

Liggins is the third 2026 defensive lineman to receive an offer from the Badgers since late May, joining four-star DL Gabriel Hill and four-star EDGE McHale Blade. Wisconsin also offered running back Jaeden Hill, wide receiver Madden Williams and athlete Jakob Weatherspoon over the past two days.

The 6-foot-4, 265-pound three-star represents Brother Rice High School in Illinois. 247Sports ranks him as the No. 40 defensive lineman and No. 10 recruit from Illinois for the class of 2026.

Hill also holds 11 offers thus far, including from Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan, Kansas State, Iowa State, Miami and Wisconsin.

247Sports has yet to release a crystal ball prediction, but On3’s recruiting prediction machine heavily favors Kansas State at this stage in the process.

While UW appears to allocate more of its attention to the class of 2026, Rivals currently has Wisconsin’s 2025 recruiting class ranked No. 6 in the nation. The group has 19 commitments and eight since official visits began in June.

2025 DL recruits Drayden Pavey, Wilnerson Telemaque and Kyler Garcia are among Wisconsin’s main defensive priorities during a month littered with official visits for some of the most talented recruits in the nation.

With Liggins, the Badgers have offered 11 defensive linemen for 2026 but have yet to receive a commitment. Wisconsin’s defensive line depth chart this fall includes James Thompson Jr., Curt Neal, Ben Barten, Elijah Hills (transfer) and Brandon Lane — a flipped transfer commit from Louisville.

Wisconsin football makes the top five schools for class of 2025 DL target

Wisconsin football makes the top five schools for class of 2025 DL target

Wisconsin football class of 2025 defensive lineman target Kyler Garcia announced his top five schools via social media on Thursday.

Wisconsin is among the Teneesee native’s final list, along with Georgia, Purdue, Louisville and Indiana. The Pearl-Cohn High School product had garnered 16 Division 1 offers before whittling the list down to five.

The announcement arrives just one day before Garcia will venture to Madison for an official visit with the Badgers. Most notably, Garcia has already taken a pair of official visits to Louisville the weekend of May 31 and Purdue on June 7. Following Wisconsin, he is slated to meet with the Indiana Hoosiers the weekend of June 21.

The rising senior is 247Sports’ No. 118 player at his position in the class of 2025 and No. 26 recruit from the state of Tennessee. UW offered the three-star recruit on May 22. Both Rivals and 247Sports have the 6-foot-5, 275-pound lineman ranked as a three-star recruit.

247Sports has Wisconsin’s 2025 recruiting class ranked No. 14 in the nation with 17 commitments at this stage in the process. The group just landed its first defensive lineman: former Minnesota commit Torin Pettaway.

This fall, Wisconsin’s defensive line depth chart includes James Thompson Jr., Curt Neal, Ben Barten, Elijah Hills (transfer) and Brandon Lane — a flipped transfer commit from Louisville.

Garcia and Wilnerson Telemaque are the two main defensive line targets set to visit the program before the end of the month.

Wisconsin adds three-star class of 2025 defensive lineman to official visit list

Wisconsin adds three-star class of 2025 defensive lineman to official visit list

Wisconsin class of 2025 defensive line target Kyler Garcia will officially visit the Badgers the weekend of June 14.

The program offered the three-star recruit on May 22. Both Rivals and 247Sports have the 6-foot-5, 275-pound lineman ranked as a three-star recruit.

As rising senior representing Pearl-Cohn High School in Nashville, Tennessee, Garcia is 247Sports’ No. 118 player at his position in the class of 2025 and No. 26 recruit from the state of Tennessee.

The defensive lineman has garnered 16 Division 1 offers to this point, including from Georgia, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisville, Purdue, Vanderbilt, Auburn, Tennessee, Virginia Tech and Memphis.

Most notably, Garcia has already taken a pair of official visits to Louisville the weekend of May 31 and Purdue on June 7. Following Wisconsin, he is slated to meet with the Indiana Hoosiers the weekend of June 21.

247Sports has Wisconsin’s 2025 recruiting class ranked No. 13 in the nation with 17 commitments at this stage in the process. The group just landed its first defensive lineman: former Minnesota commit Torin Pettaway.

This fall, Wisconsin’s defensive line depth chart includes James Thompson Jr., Curt Neal, Ben Barten, Elijah Hills (transfer) and Brandon Lane — a flipped transfer commit from Louisville.

Garcia and Wilnerson Telemaque are the two main defensive line targets set to visit the program before the end of the month.