Tag: Leyton Nelson

Wisconsin receives low grade for its spring transfer portal window haul

Wisconsin receives low grade for its spring transfer portal window haul

National college recruiting website Rivals awarded Wisconsin football a letter ‘C’ grade for the program’s moves during the spring transfer portal window.

The window was open from April 16-30 for players to enter. Some in the portal remain uncommitted, as there is no deadline to find a new destination.

Wisconsin in total saw seven players enter the portal: QB Nick Evers, DL T.J. Bollers, DL Gabe Kirschke, WR Tommy McIntosh, DL Mike Jarvis, CB A.J. Tisdell and CB Michael Mack.

It has added three thus far: Vanderbilt offensive lineman Leyton Nelson, Illinois offensive lineman Joey Okla and Boston College wide receiver Joseph Griffin Jr.

Despite the necessary depth additions along the offensive line and one at receiver, Wisconsin witnessed some of its key defensive line transfer targets commit to other Power 4 programs. Top DL transfer targets C.J. West, Jay’Viar Suggs and Khurtiss Perry committed to Indiana, LSU and Virginia Tech respectively.

 

The Badgers remain on the hunt for defensive lineman in the portal — they are still a finalist for former Wyoming DL Gavin Meyer.

Rivals’ grades all fell into the range of B+ to C-. That tight range is likely due to a lack of impactful transfers, with most top players having already moved during the winter period.

The Badgers total transfer class from winter to spring remains ranked as one of the Big Ten’s best. It is set to play an integral role in the team’s success this season.

BREAKING: Wisconsin football receives transfer commitment from SEC offensive tackle

Luke Fickell lands his first transfer of the spring window:

Wisconsin football just made its first splash in the spring transfer portal window.

It landed a commitment from former Vanderbilt offensive tackle Leyton Nelson.

Related: Wisconsin football 2024 spring transfer portal window tracker

Nelson entered the transfer portal on April 16 after playing in 11 games for the Commodores in 2023. He follows former Vanderbilt offensive line coach A.J. Blazek to Madison — Blazek who the Badgers hired this offseason after re-assigning former OL coach Jack Bicknell after the 2023 season.

Nelson is 247Sports’ No. 652 player in the transfer portal and No. 39 offensive tackle. He was originally a three-star recruit in the class of 2022.

Nelson brings experience, but he will likely play a depth role along the offensive line with Wisconsin’s starting lineup mostly set. He has several years of eligibility remaining and could play himself into a starting role in 2025, while also serving as valuable depth this upcoming season.

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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UCF snags this 3-star in-state recruit from Florida

3-star OT Leyton Nelson commits to UCF over Florida despite leaving UF “ecstatic” with an offer last month.

After listing the Florida Gators in his top five just a month ago, three-star OT Leyton Nelson has opted to play for UCF over Florida.

Nelson refined his list of five down to the two schools earlier this week while leaving a little room for Miami in third place, according to 247Sports. He was also scheduled to attend UF’s final Friday Night Lights camp on July 30 but missed the event due to a speeding ticket.

After an unofficial visit in mid-July, Nelson received an offer from head coach Dan Mullen and described his emotions as “ecstatic” to the Orlando Sentinel. The unsuccessful visit on July 30 denied Nelson and Mullen the opportunity to rekindle that excitement and possibly played a part in the final decision.

Interest in Nelson soared as schools got deeper and deeper into their recruiting season. For Florida, it was the loss of IMG Academy (Fla.) OT Tyler Booker to Alabama that moved Nelson up their board. Offensive line coach John Hevesy recruited him directly and Mullen also played a large part in the recruitment.

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It was thought that Nelson would join four-star Tony Livingston as the second committed tackle in Florida’s 2022 recruiting class, but the Gators will have to look elsewhere now. Two names to look out for would be three-star Eston Harris Jr. out of Auburn High (Ala.) and four-star Julian Armella out of St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.). Both have received offers from Florida, but Harris is the easier target and has listed the Gators in his top three. He says he’ll decide on Oct. 28.

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2022 offensive lineman from Florida announces Tennessee visit

2021 Tennessee Vols’ football recruiting news.

Josh Heupel and Tennessee’s coaching staff continues to recruit the Vols’ 2022 signing class.

2022 offensive line prospect Leyton Nelson announced he will visit Tennessee June 18-20. He was offered by the Vols on Feb. 5.

Nelson announced his upcoming visit on Twitter, referencing Tennessee coaches Josh Heupel, Alex Golesh and Glen Elarbee.

https://twitter.com/LeytonNelson4/status/1377332076064645124?s=20

The 6-foot-6, 284-pound offensive lineman is from Boone High School in Orlando, Florida.

Nelson has Power Five offers from Tennessee, Miami, Pittsburgh, Arizona State, Boston College, Florida State, Kansas State, Kentucky, Louisville, Mississippi State, Oregon, Penn State, Rutgers, South Carolina, USC, Virginia and West Virginia.

Heupel was hired as Tennessee’s head coach on Jan. 27, coming from UCF in the same capacity. UCF offered Nelson on Jan. 22.

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