Tag: Elijhah Badger

Former ASU wide receiver commits to Florida via transfer portal

What many had expected finally came to fruition on Friday afternoon as Elijhah Badger joins the Florida Gators via the transfer portal.

Billy Napier and Co. scored yet another win through the college football transfer portal on Friday after earning a commitment from redshirt junior wide receiver Elijhah Badger, formerly of the Arizona State Sun Devils.

Less than 24 hours prior to the announcement, Swamp247’s Blake Alderman submitted a crystal ball prediction for Florida while Nick de la Torre reported that Gators Online also cast a prediction for the Orange and Blue.

The 6-foot-2-inch, 190-pound pass-catcher originally in the 2020 cycle made an official visit to UF earlier this week and came away with a better understanding of what Florida has to offer.

Badger is now officially a member of the Orange and Blue.

Recruiting Summary

Badger is a four-star transfer portal prospect according to 247Sports, ranking No. 184 overall and No. 36 at his position.

As a prep recruit in the 2020 cycle, he was also a four-star prospect according to both 247Sports and On3. The former ranked him at No. 182 overall and No. 6 at the athlete position while the latter placed him at No. 121 overall and No. 23 at wide receiver.

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Former Wisconsin transfer WR target commits to play with…Graham Mertz

Former Wisconsin transfer target commits to play with….Graham Mertz

Former Wisconsin transfer portal target wide receiver Elijhah Badger committed to Florida on Friday.

Wisconsin had been one of numerous schools to express interest in the former Arizona State wide receiver after he entered the transfer portal last month. The Badgers then landed Boston College WR Joseph Griffin Jr., likely taking them out of the running for other transfer receivers.

Related: Ranking every game on Wisconsin’s 2024 schedule from easiest to toughest

Badger chose the Gators over other Arizona and Washington.

Notably, the wide receiver commits to play with former Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz, who transferred to Florida ahead of the 2023 season and returns to start under center in 2024.

The talented wideout was heralded as one of the best receivers of this transfer cycle. He was one of Arizona State’s top receiving options in both 2022 and 2023, totaling 135 catches for 1,599 yards and 10 touchdowns in that time.

Related: Wisconsin updated 2024 offense depth chart after addition of WR Joseph Griffin Jr.

He joins Mertz on a Florida team that is in need of a statement campaign under head coach Billy Napier. The Gators went 6-7 and 5-7 respectively in 2022 and 2023. The SEC landscape is not getting easier, and Florida needs to reestablish itself toward the top of the conference.

Wisconsin landed three transfers during the spring portal window: Vanderbilt offensive lineman Leyton Nelson, Illinois offensive lineman Joey Okla and Griffin.

The program is still in search of help along the defensive line as the final portal entrants find new destinations.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion.

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Gators expected to sign coveted transfer portal WR on Friday

Billy Napier and Co. are expected to announce another major transfer portal win on Friday.

Florida football is expected to add another name to its roster from the 2024 NCAA transfer portal on Friday.

According to both 247Sports and On3, redshirt junior wide receiver [autotag]Elijhah Badger[/autotag] formerly of the Arizona State Sun Devils is projected to become a member of the Gators once he finalizes his decision.

Swamp247’s Blake Alderman submitted a crystal ball prediction for Florida late Thursday night while Nick de la Torre reports that Gators Online also cast a prediction for the Orange and Blue.

The 6-foot-2-inch, 190-pound pass-catcher originally in the 2020 cycle made an official visit to UF earlier this week and came away with a better understanding of what Billy Napier and Co. have to offer.

Recruiting Summary

Badger is a four-star transfer portal prospect according to 247Sports, ranking No. 184 overall and No. 36 at his position.

As a prep recruit in the 2020 cycle, he was also a four-star prospect according to both 247Sports and On3. The former ranked him at No. 182 overall and No. 6 at the athlete position while the latter placed him at No. 121 overall and No. 23 at wide receiver.

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Wisconsin misses final schools for former top transfer portal WR target Elijhah Badger

Wisconsin will not be landing the wide receiver with the last name ‘Badger’

Wisconsin missed the final three schools for top transfer portal wide receiver Elijhah Badger on Wednesday.

Badger will be choosing one of Arizona, Florida or Washington.

Related: Post-spring Big Ten football 2024 power rankings, starting quarterback rankings

Wisconsin was in pursuit of the former Arizona State Sun Devil. The program then landed former Boston College WR Joseph Griffin Jr., fulfilling its need for an experienced receiver.

It is reasonable to assume that Wisconsin dropped out of the running for Badger after landing Griffin. That, or the program pursued Griffin with the knowledge it wouldn’t be in play for Badger.

Either way, one of Arizona, Florida or Washington will add the transfer portal’s top available wide receiver.

Badger entered the portal last month after four years at Arizona State. He was one of the Sun Devils’ top receiving options in 2022 and 2023, totaling 135 catches for 1,599 yards and 10 touchdowns in that time.

Wisconsin enters the 2024 season with Will Pauling, Bryson Green and C.J. Williams atop its wide receiver depth chart. Griffin Jr., Tyrell Henry and Trech Kekahuna make up a second group that is sure to also contribute heavily.

For more on Wisconsin’s transfer portal activity this spring, check out our 2024 spring transfer portal window tracker.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion.

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Gators to host 4-star transfer portal wide receiver this week

This West Coast wide receiver is paying a visit to the Orange and Blue this week in search of greener pastures.

Florida football is preparing to roll out the red carpet for a pair of top players in the 2024 transfer portal, including former Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver [autotag]Elijhah Badger[/autotag].

The 6-foot-2-inch, 190-pound pass-catcher is scheduled to stop in Gainesville starting on Monday night but the timer on his OV will not start until Tuesday morning. The Gators could use a little help in the wide receiver room so this visit could be a key moment in the program’s offseason.

During Badger’s four years in Tempe, the Sacramento, California, native hauled in 142 catches for 1,640 yards and 10 touchdowns, with another three TDs added on the ground on top of 111 rushing yards on 18 attempts. Badger stood out for the Sun Devils in 2022, when he played in 12 games accounting for 70 and 866 yards along with seven scores.

His 25 missed tackles forced were tops among Pac-12 receivers and second among all FBS receivers during the 2023 regular season; he also had 24 explosive receptions (15-plus yards) on the season, good for 23rd among FBS receivers in the regular season and third in the Pac-12.

Recruiting Summary

Badger is a four-star transfer portal prospect according to 247Sports, ranking No. 184 overall and No. 36 at his position.

As a prep recruit in the 2020 cycle, he was also a four-star prospect according to both 247Sports and On3. The former ranked him at No. 182 overall and No. 6 at the athlete position while the latter placed him at No. 121 overall and No. 23 at wide receiver.

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Wisconsin transfer WR target Elijhah Badger visits program quarterbacked by Graham Mertz

Wisconsin transfer WR target Elijhah Badger visits program quarterbacked by Graham Mertz

Wisconsin top transfer portal wide receiver target Elijhah Badger is set to visit the Florida Gators, according to On3.

Florida was named as one of the numerous top programs in pursuit of Badger, along with Wisconsin. It is also the current home of former Badgers quarterback Graham Mertz, who returned to Gainesville for his sixth and final year of collegiate eligibility.

Related: Post-spring Big Ten football 2024 power rankings

The top transfer wide receiver has now visited Washington, Arizona and Florida as his recruitment continues. He’s currently ranked as a four-star transfer, the No. 184 player in the portal and No. 36 wide receiver.

Badger entered the portal four years at Arizona State. He was one of the Sun Devils’ top receiving options during the last two seasons, totaling 135 catches for 1,599 yards and 10 touchdowns in that time.

Wisconsin is yet to land a visit with the highly-touted transfer. It’s easy to see how Florida, Washington and Arizona represent more attractive landing spots, as the Badgers have a strong top group at wide receiver and would deploy Badger as part of a rotation.

The wide receiver’s last name makes this a situation worth following, especially if he spends the 2024 season catching passes from Mertz.

For more on Wisconsin’s transfer portal activity this spring, check out our 2024 spring transfer portal window tracker.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion. Follow Ben Kenney on X.

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Auburn reaches out to Arizona State transfer WR Elijhah Badger

Badger hauled in 141 catches for 1,640 yards and 10 touchdowns in four seasons at Arizona State.

Auburn football has enhanced its wide receiver room more than any position group this offseason. However, following the departure of Koy Moore to the transfer portal, [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] and his staff are looking to add one more to the rotation.

According to a report by On3, former Arizona State wide receiver [autotag]Elijhah Badger[/autotag] has heard from over 20 programs since entering the transfer portal on April 20 including Auburn. Auburn is one of six SEC programs that have expressed interest in Badger including Florida, Texas A&M, and Arkansas.

Badger was a highly-touted recruit from Folsom High School in Sacramento, California. He was a four-star athlete ranked No. 6 in the nation and was the No. 14 overall product from California from the 2020 recruiting cycle.

His play at Arizona State was indicative of his recruiting rankings as he hauled in 142 catches for 1,640 yards and 10 touchdowns in four seasons in Tempe. He was the Sun Devils leading receiver in both 2022 and 2023, where he combined to catch 135 passes for 1,579 yards and 10 scores. The 2022 season was his best to-date where he reached career-bests in receptions (70), yards (866), and touchdowns (7).

Auburn will have plenty of weapons in its receiving room this season. The Tigers’ leading receiver from last season, [autotag]Rivaldo Fairweather[/autotag], returns while former Penn State stand out [autotag]KeAndre Lambert-Smith[/autotag] joins the roster from the transfer portal. Adding a receiver such as Badger would bring more experience to the roster, which will be a great development tool for freshmen receivers [autotag]Cam Coleman[/autotag], [autotag]Perry Thompson[/autotag], [autotag]Malcolm Simmons[/autotag], and [autotag]Bryce Cain[/autotag].

Wisconsin one of several top programs in pursuit of top transfer WR Elijhah Badger

Wisconsin one of several top programs in pursuit of top transfer WR Elijhah Badger

Wisconsin is one of several top programs to have reached out to top transfer portal wide receiver Elijhah Badger, according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett.

The Badgers are included along with Florida, Michigan, Florida State, Washington, Texas A&M, Auburn, Michigan State, Louisville, Colorado, Utah, West Virginia, South Carolina, Arizona, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Arkansas, USC, Cal and USF.

Related: Wisconsin’s class of 2025 rises in national ranking after addition of S Luke Emmerich

The veteran wide receiver entered the portal in mid-April after four years at Arizona State. He was one of the Sun Devils’ top receiving options the last two seasons, totaling 135 catches for 1,599 yards and 10 touchdowns combined in that time.

Luke Fickell and Phil Longo have already re-shaped Wisconsin’s wide receiver room since taking over after the 2022 season. That work is continuing, even with a stellar top rotation set entering the 2024 season. The program reportedly will host former Baylor WR Armani Winfield on a visit, and hopes the same becomes the case with the former Arizona State WR.

Badger would be a terrific fit with the Badgers — just based on his last name. But Wisconsin has heavy competition to land a commitment.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion. Follow Ben Kenney on X.

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Texas A&M has reportedly contacted former star Arizona State wide receiver

Texas A&M is officially in the running for former Arizona State WR Elijhah Badger

It’s no secret if you’ve been paying attention to our recent report that Texas A&M is still in search of more wide receiver talent in the transfer portal. Several high-profile veteran pass catchers are still looking for a new home ahead of the 2024 season.

After missing out on KeAndre Lambert-Smith (transferred to Auburn) and Sam Brown (transferred to Miami), A&M is hosting former Auburn wide receiver Ja’Varrius Johnson this weekend, so at least some progress is being made by head coach Mike Elko and his staff.

Late last month, after former Arizona State WR Elijhah Badger entered the portal, 247Sport’s Chris Karpman reported that Texas A&M was apparently in the running for Badger’s talents. As of Friday, Badger himself released every program that has contacted him, including the Aggies.

A huge target in the passing game, Badger has been the most dependable receiver for every quarterback to be under center for the Sun Devils, recording 135 receptions and 1,500-plus receiving yards in his last two seasons in Tucson.

With players like Noah Thomas and Moose Muhammad III, who have similar skill sets to Badger, already on Texas A&M’s roster, his potential incision would elevate this offense to the top and provide starting quarterback Conner Weigman with a huge confidence boost heading into fall camp.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

There is a top transfer portal wide receiver with the last name ‘Badger’

This transfer WR would be a perfect fit with the Badgers

There is a wide receiver in the transfer portal that would be a perfect fit with Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin Badgers.

First, he’s an exceptional player and would fit seamlessly in Phil Longo’s offense.

Second, his name is Elijhah Badger. The last name is fitting.

Related: Wisconsin football 2024 spring transfer portal window tracker

Badger entered the portal on Friday after four years at Arizona State. He was one of the Sun Devils’ top receiving options the last two seasons, totaling 135 catches for 1,599 yards and 10 touchdowns combined in that time.

The former four-star recruit in the class of 2020 is expected to be one of the more sought-after receivers during this transfer portal cycle. Wisconsin could use another top option along with Will Pauling, Bryson Green and the rest of the room.

Badger’s talent would fit well, as would his last name.

 

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion. Follow Ben Kenney on X.

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