Wisconsin loses third underclassman defensive back to the transfer portal

Wisconsin loses third underclassman defensive back to the transfer portal

Wisconsin redshirt freshman cornerback Justin Taylor announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Tuesday morning.

Taylor is among six former Badgers and three UW defensive backs to enter the portal thus far, joining QB Cole LaCrue, OLB Leon Lowery, CB Jonas Duclona, DB Amare Snowden and DL Curt Neal. Like all of his teammates, Taylor made the choice just days after Wisconsin lost 24-7 to Minnesota at Camp Randall.

“After long & insightful conversations with Family and Staff I’d like to thank the University of Wisconsin for its great lessons and tools to grow as a player and a person,” Taylor wrote on X. “With that being said, I’ll be entering my name into the transfer portal with 3 yrs of eligibility.”

The cornerback signed with the Badgers as a three-star recruit in the class of 2023 after a stellar senior season at Nazareth Academy in Illinois. Taylor committed to UW in May of 2022 roughly six months before Luke Fickell became Wisconsin’s head coach.

Taylor’s departure isn’t much of a surprise. The redshirt freshman didn’t see any action from 2023-24 and served as a depth defensive back in a top-heavy defensive back room.

He is, however, part of a growing group of players from the room to enter the portal.

For updates on Wisconsin’s full list of incoming and outgoing transfers, bookmark our 2024 transfer portal tracker.

Wisconsin lands a commitment from 2023 three-star ATH Justin Taylor

Wisconsin lands their third commitment in the 2023 recruiting cycle:

Just two days after receiving an offer from Paul Chryst and his coaching staff, the Badgers have landed their third commitment of the 2023 recruiting class in three-star athlete Justin Taylor out of La Grange Park, Illinois.

Per 247sports, Taylor is the No. 144 ATH in the country, and the No. 38 player in the state of Illinois. 

The Nazareth Academy standout also held offers from Air Force, Army, Ball State, Bowling Green, Colorado State, Kansas State, Kent State, Miami (OH), Navy, Ohio, Toledo, and Western Michigan.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound ATH caught 47 passes for over 800 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior while also adding 226 yards rushing on 33 carries.

It’s worth noting that the three-star athlete is coming to UW to play defensive back. Taylor is now the third commitment in the 2023 recruiting class.

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Wisconsin football offers three-star 2023 ATH Justin Taylor

Wisconsin football offers three-star 2023 ATH Justin Taylor:

On Wednesday night, Wisconsin football offered three-star 2023 athlete Justin Taylor per an announcement on Twitter.

Related: Wisconsin football offers 2025 QB Ryan Montgomery

The LaGrange Park, Ill., native has played the last few seasons on both sides of the ball as a receiver and cornerback for Nazareth Academy. Taylor is the No. 38-ranked player in the state of Illinois and the No. 144-ranked ATH in the country per 247Sports. He currently holds offers from several Division I schools, but the Kansas State Wildcats are his only other power five offer.

If the Badgers are able to land the three-star recruit, he could provide some great size and versatility for the Badgers on both sides of the ball.