Tag: depth chart

Wisconsin makes final schools for coveted class of 2026 safety

Wisconsin makes final schools for coveted class of 2026 safety

The Wisconsin Badgers made the top four schools for highly-touted class of 2026 safety Kaden Gebhardt on Tuesday.

The Badgers cracked Gebhardt’s final crop of schools alongside Ohio State, Penn State and Clemson. He becomes the third top-ranked prospect to include the Badgers in his list of finalists dating back to Jan. 25, joining four-star offensive linemen Tyler Merrill and Carter Scruggs.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound defensive playmaker received his offer from UW back on Feb. 2, 2024. The Badgers were one of his first Power Four offers at the time.Since then, the Olentangy High School product received offer 20 offers from programs including Oklahoma, Illinois, Missouri, Ole Miss, Nebraska, USC, OSU and PSU.

247Sports considers Gebhardt the No. 216 overall recruit in the class of 2026, the No. 17 safety and the No. 8 prospect from his home state of Ohio. Through 11 games with Olentangy in 2024, Gebhardt tallied 94 total tackles, 32 solo tackles, six tackles for loss, five pass deflections and two interceptions.

As of Jan. 28, Penn State appears to be the favorite to land the talented defender. On3’s recruiting prediction machine gives the Nittany Lions a 68.2% chance to earn a commitment. Zero Rivals nor 247Sports insiders have released forecasts for where he’ll land.

Still, Wisconsin’s inclusion in the top four is an indication of the Badgers’ recruiting efforts. The team landed in Gebhardt’s zone of interest months before all three of his other finalists entered the race.

As of Jan. 28, UW’s class of 2026 features one commitment from three-star offensive lineman Benjamin Novak.

A former Wisconsin Badger will return to the Kohl Center on Sunday

A former Wisconsin Badger will return to the Kohl Center on Sunday

The Wisconsin Badgers (15-4, 5-3 Big Ten) are back home after a California road trip. They return to the Kohl Center court on Sunday afternoon against a struggling Nebraska Cornhuskers (12-7, 2-6 Big Ten) team.

A top storyline entering the game is Wisconsin’s quest for a bounce-back performance after its seven-game winning streak came to an end at UCLA. Another is a homecoming: Sunday will be Nebraska shooting guard Connor Essegian’s first game against his former program.

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

Essegian transferred to the Cornhuskers last offseason after two years with the Badgers. He originally joined the program as a three-star recruit in the class of 2022.

The Albion, Indiana native excelled as a freshman at Wisconsin, playing an average of 27.4 minutes per game and tallying 11.7 points and 3.7 rebounds on 40.4% shooting and 35.9% from three. His role diminished as a sophomore in 2023-24, however, as Greg Gard reworked his rotation around transfer guard A.J. Storr and emerging freshman John Blackwell. Those per-game totals dropped to just 7.3 minutes, 3.2 points and 0.8 rebounds on 38.5% shooting and 30% from three.

Essegian entered the transfer portal after the 2023-24 season concluded. He then committed to a Nebraska program with a clear path to playing time and further development, variables that have each proven true. The sharpshooter is currently averaging 22.8 minutes, 11.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 43.1% shooting and 41.5% from three through 19 games. That point total is good for third-most on the team.

Wisconsin’s guard rotation excelled since Essegian’s departure. Max Klesmit, Blackwell, John Tonje and Kamari McGee have all been significant driving forces behind the team’s strong start to the season.

Essegian and Chucky Hepburn (Louisville), meanwhile, have each found undeniable success at their new destinations. A.J. Storr, now at Kansas, is still working to establish a consistent role.

Keeping Essegian in check will be key to Wisconsin’s chances at a victory on Sunday. Nebraska started the season 7-0 when he eclipsed 10 points. That streak recently ended, as the Cornhuskers have now lost five straight games despite the sharpshooter scoring in double figures in three of them.

Gard touched on Essegian’s game when meeting with the media on Friday, including what Wisconsin must do to keep him in check.

“He’s got a quick trigger, ball comes off the hand just like it did when he was here,” Gard said. “He’s a recipient of Brice Williams and Juwan Gary, of those guys playing with the ball in their hands and finding him. You have to pay attention to him, can’t lose him. He moves well without the ball. [I’ve seen] a lot of the same things that we saw here.”

Wisconsin and Nebraska will tip off at 1 p.m. ET, noon CT. There’s a good chance that Essegian’s three-point shooting, or lack thereof, defines the game’s final result.

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PFF: Wisconsin to enter 2025 with one of best tight ends in the college football

PFF: Wisconsin to enter 2025 with one of best tight ends in the college football

Wisconsin’s busy winter transfer portal cycle was headlined by a few key offensive additions.

Two were at quarterback, the most important position on the field: Maryland starter Billy Edwards Jr. and San Diego State starter Danny O’Neil. Another key addition fulfilled arguably the next-biggest positional need on the unit: Ball State tight end Tanner Koziol.

Related: Early Big Ten football starting quarterback rankings for 2025 season

Koziol, a four-star transfer prospect, is the team’s highest-rated addition: the No. 72 overall player in the portal and No. 3 at his position. 247Sports may even be conservative with its ranking, as Koziol will enter 2025 as ProFootballFocus’ top-ranked tight end.

The Ball State standout finished the 2024 season ranked No. 3 in PFF’s sport-wide ranking with an overall grade of 87.9. No. 1 Harold Fannin Jr. (Bowling Green) and No. 2 Tyler Warren (Penn State) are both off to the 2025 NFL draft. That leaves Koziol as the service’s best returning player at the position.

The rising senior tallied 94 receptions, 839 yards and eight touchdowns for Ball State in 2024, leading the team in every receiving category. He won’t have trouble besting Wisconsin’s recent production from the position — the team got just 23 combined catches for 156 yards and one touchdown from Tucker Ashcraft and Riley Nowakowski in 2024.

Other notable returning tight ends include Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers (87.4 PFF grade), Louisiana’s Terrance Carter (83.6) and Oregon‘s Kenyon Sadiq (80.9).

Wisconsin enters 2025 with a new-look offense under coordinator Jeff Grimes. Edwards and Koziol should form Wisconsin’s best quarterback-tight end duo since QB Alex Hornibrook and TE Troy Fumagalli combined for 46 catches, 547 yards and four touchdowns in 2017.

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Why the Saints should lean on this underrated DB more often in 2025

The Saints have developed good defensive backs for awhile now, and they may have one more ready to flourish right now: Rico Payton.

The New Orleans Saints in recent years have been exceptional at evaluating and bringing in defensive back talent. Draftees like Marshon Lattimore, Alontae Taylor, Paulson Adebo, Kool-Aid McKinstry, and even back to Kenny Vaccaro and Malcolm Jenkins among many others have cultivated their defensive backs room for a significant amount of time now.

Additionally, they have been outstanding at finding quality talents among the undrafted free agent pool, such as Rashid Shaheed, Deonte Harty, Malcolm Roach, Carl Granderson, Justin Hardee, Wil Lutz, Pierre Thomas, Garrett Hartley, and more.

This mix is something that bodes well for lots of players who come through the Saints system, but one player in particular from the 2024 NFL draft class fits the bill exceptionally well, and went under the radar as a quality performer for them throughout the season. That player is cornerback and special teamer Rico Payton.

After being signed as an undrafted free agent last offseason out of Pittsburg State (without an H, and out of Kansas, not Pennsylvania), Payton garnered attention throughout the summer as a player to potentially watch for when the preseason arrived. However not much could have prepared fans for how truly strong his performance would be, as in three preseason games he was no doubt one of the best players on the field.

In those three games, Payton took 107 total snaps, being targeted 13 times in coverage and only allowing 3 passes to be completed (23.1% completion rate). Additionally, he had 4 pass breakups, 5 tackles, plus a sack on Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis in the third game which took approximately 2.33 seconds from snap to contact. Now that’s moving.

Once the preseason concluded, Payton ended up making the roster outright, and he appeared in 16 games for the Saints — taking 245 special teams snaps (57%) and 21 defensive snaps. On defense he was targeted twice and did not allow a catch, so that part was self explanatory. When it came to special teams he was an ace there as well, having the third-most special teams tackles on the team (9), which was tied for the 31st around the league.

He and J.T. Gray were absolutely electric to watch on punt coverage all season, as both would be down the field in a flash to stop the returner from advancing whatsoever, and giving the Saints whatever momentum they could. Their efforts went a long way in the punting game — the Saints faced the 13th-most punt returns in the NFL (28), but they allowed the 8th-fewest yards per return (7.6). No defense enjoyed a better average starting field position than New Orleans (their own 27.2 yard line).

Overall, Payton’s explosiveness, willingness and dedication to learn special teams while being extremely effective at it, and the potential he showed in preseason as a true outside corner are why he could be someone to truly watch out for in 2025. Given an opportunity to play at cornerback and get some true reps there at the NFL level, he could be the next in line of high-end Saints defensive backs.

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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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Former Wisconsin quarterback chooses transfer destination

Former Wisconsin quarterback chooses transfer destination

Former Wisconsin quarterback Cole LaCrue transferred to Eastern Illinois earlier this week.

The former Badger is one of the Panthers’ 16 recent transfer additions. He joins the program with three years of eligibility remaining.

Related: Recapping Wisconsin football’s winter transfer portal movement

LaCrue signed with the Badgers as a three-star recruit in the class of 2023. He was ranked the No. 1,047 player in the class, No. 52 quarterback and No. 6 recruit from the state of Colorado. He committed to the program on Nov. 7, 2022, when Jim Leonhard was the interim coach. He remained signed through Luke Fickell’s hire, even as the program landed several transfer quarterbacks (Nick Evers, Braedyn Locke and Tanner Mordecai).

LaCrue did not see any game action in either of his two seasons with the Badgers. He was one of their first portal losses of the cycle.

The former three-star recruit joins an Eastern Illinois program that went 3-9 (2-6 Ohio Valley Conference) in 2024. Multiyear starting quarterback Pierce Holley exhausted his eligibility at the end of the 2024 season, giving LaCrue an opportunity to win the job in 2025.

LaCrue departed a Wisconsin quarterback room that underwent a top-down overhaul during the winter transfer period. Tyler Van Dyke, Locke and Mabrey Mettauer transferred. The program added veteran starter Billy Edwards Jr. (Maryland) and sophomore Danny O’Neil (San Diego State).

The Colorado native would have likely entered 2025 as the fourth-string quarterback behind Edwards, O’Neil and true freshman Carter Smith. With LaCrue’s commitment to Eastern Illinois, kicker Nate Van Zelst becomes the only Wisconsin transfer without an announced destination.

For more, check out our recap of Wisconsin’s program’s winter transfer movement.

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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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Wisconsin offensive coordinator explains what transfer QB Billy Edwards Jr. brings to the Badgers

Wisconsin offensive coordinator explains what transfer QB Billy Edwards Jr. brings to the Badgers

The word ‘unstable’ could be used to describe Wisconsin’s quarterback situation over the last three seasons.

Graham Mertz led the team in 2022. Tanner Mordecai and Braedyn Locke then split the duties in 2023, Locke seeing extended time after Mordecai broke his hand in October. Tyler Van Dyke transferred in to start in 2024, but he played in just two-plus games before a season-ending injury handed the job to Locke for the remainder of the season.

Related: A look at Wisconsin football’s full coaching staff for the 2025 season

Now, Wisconsin is set to enter the 2025 season with its fourth starting quarterback in as many seasons. That will be Maryland transfer Billy Edwards Jr., a top transfer recruit who joined the Badgers last month during the winter window.

Edwards committed to the program on Dec. 16, just eight days following Wisconsin’s hire of new offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes. An overhaul in the room was task No. 1 for Grimes after every Phil Longo-era quarterback either transferred out or decommitted.

Grimes met with the media on Tuesday and discussed what he saw from Edwards during his time as Maryland’s starter. One common theme: size, athleticism and playmaking ability.

“Billy Edwards is obviously somebody we’re expecting big things from,” Grimes began. “There were a number of things that impressed me with his film…I thought he had arm talent. I thought he had good athletic ability. I like his size…It was a combination of all those things at first. And then as I got to know him, I recognize that he’s got all the intangibles that you’d look for. He’s smart, he’s competitive. And he’s really driven to be great. We’re beginning to see his leadership skills emerge already.”

Edwards, listed at 6’4”, 220 pounds, excelled as Maryland’s starting quarterback in 2024, completing 65% of his passes for 2,881 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. The Terrapins finished the season with ESPN SP+’s No. 97-ranked offense. That wasn’t due to any struggles under center — Edwards was arguably the unit’s single bright spot.

Grimes emphasized the veteran’s ability to excel in those adverse circumstances, specifically behind one of the worst offensive lines in the conference.

“I saw [on film] a guy that had toughness, that was able to stand in there and take a lot of hits,” Grimes continued. “And not [have them] impact how he played the game. Threw a lot of balls with people right in his face as he’s letting it go. A lot of times he had to short-arm the ball because he couldn’t even step up throw the way that he would like to. None of that impacted him. None of the hits, playing that position you’re going to get banged up probably. None of that seemed to impact how he played the game.”

Edwards figures to fit well as the leader of Grimes’ offensive scheme in its first year with the program, a scheme that will return the Badgers closer to their pro-style roots. The strength of that unit projects to be the offensive line and running game. Given Grimes’ sentiment, more stability should only help the veteran succeed.

New quarterbacks coach Kenny Guiton echoed some of Grimes’ comments. While he was asked what Wisconsin’s trio of scholarship quarterbacks in Edwards, Danny O’Neil and Carter Smith bring to the room, he focused on more than just the on-schedule play-call.

“These guys bring a certain level of athleticism to the quarterback room. I think they all have a chance to do different things with their legs, not 50-yard runs, but creating that second play,” Guiton said. “They all have the athleticism to be able to work a pocket and really give our guys chances to create that second level of, you know, kind of playing around, backyard football. We watch Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, a lot of their stuff is off-schedule. A lot of stuff in the NFL is off-schedule. I’m not saying we’re at the NFL level, but you have to be able to do that when maybe the defense has won on the line and with what they’re calling. You have to have a guy back there that can be an eraser. I do see that in all three.”

Guiton, Wisconsin’s wide receivers coach last season, was moved to quarterbacks coach after Grimes’ hire. The move was made after Edwards and O’Neil each transferred in. While the new position coach didn’t lead the charge in recruiting the two transfers, his eye is now trained on their offseason development.

The Badgers take the field for spring practice in the coming months. That time will see a first official glimpse at Edwards under center, as well as Grimes’ new offensive scheme. It’s reasonable to have high expectations for what the two can bring to the field next fall. After all, Wisconsin won’t need much from Edwards to get its best quarterback season since 2022, if not longer.

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Wisconsin offensive tackle officially announces NFL draft decision

Wisconsin offensive tackle officially announces NFL draft decision

Wisconsin starting left tackle Jack Nelson declared for the 2025 NFL draft on Sunday.

Nelson completed his final year of eligibility with the Badgers in 2024. He is one of two Wisconsin products set to participate in the Reese’s Senior Bowl in February. His departure was known, making Sunday’s announcement a formality.

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

“My five years playing football for the Wisconsin Badgers have been an incredible experience and a dream come true,” Nelson posted on X. “It’s been an honor and a privilege to be a Badger. Words cannot express how much I love this program, the city of Madison, and the state of Wisconsin…I look forward to the future of the Wisconsin Badgers and am proud to represent UW as I begin the next chapter of preparing for the NFL draft. As I move forward to my new challenge, I will always be a Badger. On Wisconsin.”

Nelson departs after four years as one of Wisconsin’s top starting offensive linemen. He began as its right guard in 2021, and then started at left tackle from 2022 through 2024. His career concludes with 50 starts over those four seasons.

The Stoughton, Wisconsin, native joined the program as a five-star recruit in the class of 2020. He was ranked No. 26 overall in the class and No. 2 among offensive tackles. He played for two coaches (Paul Chryst, Luke Fickell), three offensive coordinators (Joe Rudolph, Bobby Engram, Phil Longo) and four offensive line coaches (Rudolph, Bob Bostad, Jack Bicknell Jr., A.J. Blazek) during his time with the program.

Nelson was one of the Badgers’ most consistent players during what was a tumultuous five-year stretch. His career accolades include All-Big Ten honorable mention honors in 2021, 2022 and 2024.

Nelson is projected to be a Day 3 pick in April’s draft. He and star safety Hunter Wohler are the two former Badgers likely to be selected.

Wisconsin is in search of a new starting left tackle entering 2025. Top 2024 signee Kevin Heywood is the projected starter at this early stage of the offseason.

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Sights and sounds from first half as Bills hold a 21-10 lead over Ravens in divisional round

Sights and sounds from first half as Bills hold a 21-10 lead over Ravens in divisional round

The first half appeared to be a reverse of Week 4, and two Lamar Jackson turnovers played a pivotal part in Baltimore trailing 21-10 after 30 minutes of football in Buffalo. The Bills held the Ravens to 73 yards rushing in the first half and 28 offensive plays. According to Next Gen Stats, Jackson has been under pressure on over half of his dropbacks (54.5%) for the first time since Week 4, 2023. He’s been pressured 6 times and sacked once on 11 dropbacks (as of Damar Hamlin’s strip sack).

With the second half underway, here are seven takeaways from the first 30 minutes.

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