Tag: depth chart

BREAKING: Wisconsin beats USC for commitment from top FCS transfer wide receiver

Wisconsin lands a commitment from a promising transfer receiver

Wisconsin landed a commitment from Idaho transfer wide receiver Mark Hamper on Friday.

The top Football Championship Subdivision transfer chose the Badgers over top programs including Big Ten rival USC. He is the program’s 13th transfer commitment of the cycle and the second wide receiver, joining Ohio State transfer Jayden Ballard.

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

Hamper commits to the Badgers after a breakout redshirt freshman season at Idaho. He totaled 48 receptions, 966 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns during the campaign — including three catches for 57 yards in the Vandals’ narrow Week 1 loss to Oregon. He joins the program with three years of eligibility remaining.

The 6’2″ wide receiver shouldn’t have much trouble seeing the field with the Badgers. The team has snaps available at the position after the recent transfer departures of starters Will Pauling and C.J. Williams. Both he and Ballard should lead the boundary receiver position across from returning starter Vinny Anthony.

https://twitter.com/mark_hamper/status/1870113926312317131

Wisconsin continues to utilize the transfer portal to bolster its offensive personnel entering a pivotal 2025 campaign. Additions at quarterback, tight end and wide receiver will aid new coordinator Jeff Grimes as he returns the program to its classic pro-style approach, departing from Phil Longo’s air raid scheme.

The Badgers’ new-look offensive depth chart appears well-equipped to make that transition.

Luke Fickell and his staff will likely direct primary focus to the defensive side of the football with major remaining needs at cornerback and linebacker. For more on those pursuits, bookmark our transfer offer, visit and commitment tracker.

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Wisconsin class of 2026 safety target includes Badgers in top 10

Wisconsin top class of 2026 safety target includes Badgers in top 10

Wisconsin top class of 2026 safety target Nick Reddish included the Badgers in his list of final schools on Thursday.

Reddish becomes the latest 2026 prospect to include the Badgers as a finalist over the past month. Top-ranked offensive talents such as four-star running back Shahn Alston, top 100 offensive lineman Leo Delaney, three-star linebacker Storm Miller, four-star iOL Ben Nichols and top-ranked wide receiver Naeem Burroughs headline that list.

Reddish, who received his offer from Wisconsin on May 14, now includes it in his top 10 along with Duke, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, USC, Vanderbilt, Missouri and Indiana.

247Sports considers the 5-foot-11, 185-pound safety the No. 450 overall recruit in the class of 2026, the No. 38 safety and the No. 22 prospect from his home state of North Carolina. On3, 247Sports and Rivals all consider him a three-star recruit.

While Wisconsin’s presence in Reddish’s final list is encouraging, his commitment is nowhere near imminent. The sheer number of schools in his latest announcement indicates Reddish may narrow the list down even further as the cycle progresses.

As of Dec. 19, On3’s recruiting prediction machine lists Wake Forest as his most likely landing spot at 25%, which is odd considering their omission from his top 10. Virginia Tech and Notre Dame are next, each around the 20% likelihood mark.

Wisconsin’s class of 2026 still holds just two names — offensive lineman Benjamin Novak and quarterback Jarin Mock.

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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BREAKING: Wisconsin star freshman cornerback enters NCAA transfer portal

Stunning news for the Badgers

Wisconsin true freshman cornerback Xavier Lucas announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Thursday.

His departure is the most stunning of the cycle to date. He is the 21st Wisconsin scholarship player to depart and arguably possibly the most impactful. The breakout freshman enters with three years of eligibility remaining.

Related: Wisconsin football 2024 transfer portal departure tracker

Lucas joined the Badgers as a four-star recruit in the class of 2024, ranked as the No. 372 player in the country, No. 35 safety and No. 52 recruit from the state of Florida. He chose the program over offers from top programs including Alabama, Miami, Auburn, Florida State, Michigan, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas A&M.

Lucas then emerged as a rising star immediately upon arriving on campus. He earned a spot on the two-deep to start the season and went on to play a primary role throughout. He closed the year with 12 games played, 18 tackles (12 solo), two tackles for loss, one sack, one interception and two pass deflections.

Notably, Lucas is the sixth player from Wisconsin’s cornerback room to enter the transfer portal. The group’s depth has been decimated in that time, as most departures were top recruits from the program’s 2023 and 2024 classes.

Lucas’ departure matters more than most others given his inside track at a starting job in 2025 and for the years to follow.

Wisconsin now must add starting cornerback to its list of roster needs. The program’s only players at the position entering 2025, as of Dec. 19, are senior Ricardo Hallman, redshirt freshmen Jay Harper and Omilio Agard, and true freshmen Jaimier Scott, Cairo Skanes and Jahmare Washington.

For more on the now-former Badgers in the transfer portal and where they end up, bookmark our 2024 transfer portal departure tracker.

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Broncos’ depth chart for ‘TNF’ clash with Chargers

Levi Wallace is still listed above Damarri Mathis and Kris Abrams-Draine on the Broncos’ “unofficial” depth chart.

The Denver Broncos are set to face the Los Angeles Chargers in a Thursday Night Football showdown in Week 16.

The Broncos did not make any official changes to their published depth chart this week, but Damarri Mathis and Kris Abrams-Draine have clearly jumped Levi Wallace, who was a healthy scratch on Sunday. Wallace is still listed above them on the depth chart, though.

With that caveat in mind, here’s a look at Denver calls the “unofficial” depth chart going into Thursday’s game.

Broncos offensive depth chart

WR Marvin Mims Troy Franklin
LT Garett Bolles Matt Peart
LG Ben Powers
C Luke Wattenberg Alex Forsyth
RG Quinn Meinerz Alex Palczewski
RT Mike McGlinchey Frank Crum
TE Adam Trautman Lucas Krull
WR Courtland Sutton Lil’Jordan Humphrey Devaughn Vele
RB Javonte Williams Jaleel McLaughlin Audric Estime Blake Watson
FB Michael Burton Nate Adkins
QB Bo Nix Jarrett Stidham Zach Wilson

Broncos defensive depth chart

DE Zach Allen Jordan Jackson
NT D.J. Jones Malcolm Roach
DE John Franklin-Myers Eyioma Uwazurike Matt Henningsen
SLB Jonathon Cooper Jonah Elliss Drew Sanders
WLB Nik Bonitto Dondrea Tillman
ILB Justin Strnad Zach Cunningham
ILB Cody Barton Levelle Bailey
LCB Pat Surtain Levi Wallace Tremon Smith
RCB Riley Moss Damarri Mathis Kris Abrams-Draine
NCB Ja’Quan McMillian
S P.J. Locke JL Skinner
S Brandon Jones Devon Key

Broncos special teams depth chart

PK Wil Lutz
KO Wil Lutz
P Riley Dixon
H Riley Dixon
LS Mitchell Fraboni
KR Marvin Mims Tremon Smith Jaleel McLaughlin
PR Marvin Mims Tremon Smith

Thursday’s game will be available to stream on Prime. The Broncos are one win away from clinching a spot in the 2024 NFL playoffs.

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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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Wisconsin football transfer safety commits to Wyoming

Another Wisconsin transfer announces his commitment

Wisconsin redshirt freshman safety Justin Taylor announced his transfer commitment to Wyoming on Wednesday.

Taylor entered the portal earlier this month after two years with the Badgers. He joins the Cowboys with three years of eligibility remaining.

Related: Wisconsin football 2024 transfer portal departure tracker

Taylor initially joined Wisconsin as a three-star recruit in the class of 2023, ranked as the No. 936 player in the class, No. 73 athlete and No. 18 recruit from his home state of Illinois. He committed to the program on May 14, 2022, back when Paul Chryst was still the head coach and Jim Leonhard ran the defense. He stuck with that commitment through the program’s coaching turnover and subsequent hire of Luke Fickell.

The safety is one of numerous members of Wisconsin’s class of 2023 to depart, either this offseason or last. Only four of the program’s 15 signees from the abbreviated cycle remain with the program.

Taylor commits to a Wyoming program that went 3-9 in 2024 under first-year head coach Jay Sawvel. The program previously made six bowl games in the eight preceding seasons. It is typically a model of consistency in the Mountain West.

Wisconsin already addressed its need at safety in the transfer portal, adding Richmond breakout freshman Matthew Traynor. The program is in search of a new starter next to senior Preston Zachman, who recently announced his return for the 2025 season. The Badgers also need depth at the position with Taylor and other underclassmen in the portal.

For more on Wisconsin’s transfer pursuits at the position, bookmark our transfer offer, visit and commitment 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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Report: Wisconsin freshman pass-rusher, former blue-chip recruit enters NCAA transfer portal

Wisconsin lost a second freshman to the transfer portal

Wisconsin freshman outside linebacker Anelu Lafaele is entering the transfer portal, according to 247Sports’ Brandon Huffman.

Lafaele joined the Badgers as a four-star recruit in the class of 2024. He is the program’s 20th scholarship player to enter the portal since the 2024 season concluded.

Related: Wisconsin football 2024 transfer portal departure tracker

Notably, Lafaele is the second member of the Badgers’ top-ranked class of 2024 to exit, joining three-star defensive lineman Hank Weber. The talented pass-rusher signed with the program as the No. 601 player in the class, the No. 27 edge rusher and the No. 3 recruit from his home state of Hawaii. He chose the Badgers over finalists Arizona State, Hawaii and Washington, doing so in unique and memorable fashion.

Lafaele redshirted in 2024 as veterans Leon Lowery, John Pius, Darryl Peterson and Aaron Witt led the Badgers at the position. Peterson, Witt and rising junior Sebastian Cheeks are all back for 2024, in addition to incoming transfer Mason Reiger. Fellow freshmen Thomas Heiberger and Ernest Willor Jr. will also attempt to grow into prominent roles on the depth chart.

Lafaele’s recruiting profile put him with the program’s top young talent at the position. He will look to fulfill that potential elsewhere, transferring out with four years of eligibility remaining.

For more who Wisconsin has lost to the portal and where those players are headed, bookmark our transfer departure tracker.

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