Tag: James Thompson Jr.

Former Wisconsin defensive lineman will visit Texas A&M

Texas A&M will reportedly host Wisconsin transfer DL James Thompson Jr. in the near future

Texas A&M requires additions across the defensive line through the transfer portal after several departures, including for five-star DL Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy, who entered the portal this month.

Coach Mike Elko and his defensive staff are looking for culture fits from respectable programs, not just traits and on-field production. So when it was announced that redshirt senior Wisconsin transfer defensive lineman James Thompson Jr. had entered the portal, the Aggies were among the first programs to contact him.

A three-time All-Academic Big Ten recipient, Thompson was equally impressive on the field, leading the Badgers D-line in tackles during the 2023 season with 29, including three sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss.

After undergoing surgery due to an upper-body injury just weeks before Wisconsin’s start to the 2024 season, Thompson missed the year to rehab, which is good news for whatever teams land him through the portal.

Interestingly, Thompson’s social media post on X stating his plans to visit Texas A&M without a confirmed date included a photo of current Aggies’ defensive lineman Rodas Johnson, who transferred from the Badgers last offseason.

James Thompson Jr. has one season of eligibility remaining.

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Badgers PFF grades: Top 5 defensive players from Week 5 loss to Illinois

Here’s a look at the top 5 highest graded defensive players from Wisconsin’s home loss to Illinois, according to Pro Football Focus:

Madison, Wis. – Head coach Paul Chryst and the Wisconsin Badgers (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten), who needed a bounce-back performance, lost their second straight contest embarrassingly on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium. 

Wisconsin’s defense allowed an efficient 307 yards of offense to the Illini (167 passing, 137 rushing), failing to make life difficult for Tommy Devito and the nations leading rusher, Chase Brown. 

Jim Leonhard’s young defense is a far cry from UW’s defenses of recent years. They’ve continued to make the same mistakes we’ve seen up to all season: poor tackling, getting pushed around in the trenches, and failure to create pressure of any kind.

The defense registered only four pressures all day long, all of which came from Nick Herbig and Keeanu Benton, who had two apiece. 

It’s hard to take away many positives from this one.

Here’s a look at the five highest-graded defensive players from Wisconsin’s loss to Illinois, according to Pro Football Focus.

Badgers PFF grades: Top 5 defensive players from week 3 win over New Mexico State

Here’s a look at the top 5 highest graded defensive players from Wisconsin’s 66-7 victory over New Mexico State, according to Pro Football Focus:

Head coach Paul Chryst and the Wisconsin Badgers (2-1) took care of business at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday afternoon, beating the visiting New Mexico State Aggies 66-7 in a game that was never close.

The Badgers’ defense, led by Jim Leonhard, only allowed seven points (which came in garbage time), 242 yards of offense, and wound up forcing three turnovers.

The defense dismantled the Aggies two quarterback system from the jump, ending eight of New Mexico States’ 15 possessions in three and outs.

The Badgers, currently unranked, finished conference play on a high note and will now prepare for a grueling Big Ten slate that begins with a road test against the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Here’s a look at the top 5 highest graded defensive players from Wisconsin’s 66-7 victory over the New Mexico State Aggies, according to Pro Football Focus.

Breaking Down Wisconsin’s 2020 Signing Class

Taking a closer look at how the 2020 recruiting class came together and where each player projects to play.

MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin football officially announced 19 scholarship players and two preferred walk-ons in its 2020 signing class during the early signing period on Wednesday. The Badgers class ranks 26th nationally by both ESPN and 247 Sports and 32nd by Rivals.

Here’s an overview of the class. Click the player’s name for a more in-depth breakdowns on that specific player.

Scholarship Commits by State

Arizona (1): Malik Reed

Colorado (1): Max Lofy

Hawaii (1): Nick Herbig

Illinois (1): Dylan Barrett

Massachusetts (1): Cam Large

Michigan (1): Jordan Turner

Minnesota (2): Kaden Johnson, Aaron Witt

North Carolina (1): Devin Chandler

Ohio (1): James Thompson Jr.

Pennsylvania (1): Preston Zachman

Tennessee (1): Isaac Smith

Wisconsin (7): Ben Barten, Tanor Bortolini, Cole Dakovich, Chimere Dike, Cade McDonald, Jack Nelson, Trey Wedig

Commits By Projected Position

QB: None

RB: None

WR: Devin Chandler, Chimere Dike, Isaac Smith

TE: Cole Dakovich, Cam Large

OL: Dylan Barrett, Ben Barten, Tanor Bortolini, Jack Nelson, Trey Wedig

DL: Cade McDonald, James Thompson Jr.

ILB: Malik Reed, Jordan Turner, Preston Zachman

OLB: Nick Herbig, Kaden Johnson, Aaron Witt

DB: Max Lofy

Specialists: None

UW walk-ons: Long Snapper Duncan McKinley, Offensive Lineman Sean Timmis