Tag: Luke Fickell

Wisconsin quarterback enters NCAA transfer portal

Another Wisconsin quarterback has entered the portal

Wisconsin freshman quarterback Mabrey Mettauer is entering the transfer portal, according to 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz.

He is the 23rd Wisconsin scholarship player to enter. His departure also completes Wisconsin’s top-down turnover at quarterback: 2024 starters Tyler Van Dyke and Braedyn Locke are also in the portal.

Related: Wisconsin football 2024 transfer portal departure tracker

Mettauer joined the Badgers as a four-star recruit in the class of 2024. He was ranked as the No. 462 player in the class, No. 31 quarterback and No. 74 recruit from the state of Texas. He chose Wisconsin over offers from Florida, LSU, Miami and Ole Miss.

He played sparingly as a true freshman in 2024, appearing in three games and attempting one pass: a two-yard completion.

Mettauer figured to be next in Wisconsin’s succession plan at the position, specifically in Phil Longo’s air raid scheme. That outlook changed with Longo’s departure, the hire of new coordinator Jeff Grimes and the transfer additions of quarterbacks Billy Edwards Jr. and Danny O’Neil.

He enters the portal with four years of eligibility remaining

Wisconsin’s outlook at quarterback changed drastically over the last month. The program moved on from Longo’s air raid scheme to a more pro-style approach under Grimes. It added Edwards Jr. (one year of eligibility remaining) and O’Neil (three years remaining) in the portal and added top-ranked quarterback Carter Smith in the class of 2025. That trio gives the program clear options over the next few seasons. The addition of each made it increasingly unlikely Mettauer would win the starting job in 2025 or beyond.

It will be worth monitoring the performances of Van Dyke, Locke and Mattauer at their new destinations. For where each ends up, bookmark our 2024 transfer departure tracker.

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Wisconsin defensive lineman enters NCAA transfer portal

Another member of Wisconsin’s class of 2023 enters the transfer portal

Wisconsin redshirt freshman defensive lineman Jamel Howard Jr. entered the transfer portal on Saturday.

The second-year tackle is the 22nd Wisconsin scholarship player to enter since the portal opened on Dec. 9. He is the 11th member of Luke Fickell’s class of 2023 to depart. Only four players from that class remain with the program: wide receiver Trech Kekahuna, tight end Tucker Ashcraft, linebacker Tyler Jansey and LB Christian Alliegro.

Related: Wisconsin football 2024 transfer portal departure tracker

“After meaningful talks with my family and staff, I’m grateful to the University of Wisconsin for helping me grow as a player and person,” Howard wrote on X. “With that, I’m entering the transfer portal with three years of eligibility.”

Howard joined the Badgers as a three-star recruit, ranked as the No. 1,213 player in the class of 2023, No. 130 defensive lineman and No. 26 recruit from his home state of Illinois. He committed to the program in June 2022 when Paul Chryst was the coach. He decommitted after Chryst’s firing before recommitting after Luke Fickell’s hire.

The lineman did not see any game action in his two years with the program.

Howard’s departure reflects larger movement within Wisconsin’s defensive line room. Veterans Curt Neal and James Thompson Jr. transferred out, while the program added commitments from transfers Parker Petersen, Corey Walker, Charles Perkins and Michael Garner.

That infusion of veteran talent at the position would have made it challenging for Howard to see snaps in 2025. He transfers with three years of eligibility remaining.

For more on Wisconsin’s outgoing transfers and where they end up, bookmark our 2024 transfer departure tracker.

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Wisconsin hosts NAIA transfer cornerback on official visit

Wisconsin hosts NAIA transfer cornerback on official visit

Wisconsin hosted Marian transfer cornerback Dwight Lewis on an official visit this week.

With one year of eligibility remaining, Lewis appears to be one of the program’s several transfer targets at the position. That position is arguably the Badgers’ biggest remaining need after the recent departures of Xavier Lucas, Jonas Duclona, Amare Snowden and others.

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

Lewis entered the portal this month after four years at Marian, two as one of its top starting cornerbacks. His 2024 campaign included 25 tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, four interceptions and two pass deflections.

Wisconsin has hosted both Lewis and Grand Valley State cornerback Devin Pringle in recent days. Both would be write-in starters at the position as they look to transfer their significant success to the Big Ten level.

For more on Wisconsin’s transfer targets, specifically at cornerback, check out our transfer offer, visit and commitment tracker.

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Wisconsin offers transfer defensive lineman from Grambling State

Wisconsin offers transfer defensive lineman from Grambling State

Wisconsin extended an offer to Grambling State transfer defensive lineman Michael Garner on Friday.

Garner, who played two years for the Tigers from 2023-24, has received transfer offers from Wisconsin, Georgia State, UAB, Colorado, Coastal Carolina, Campbell, Austin Peay, Bethune Cookman and Kent State since officially entering the portal on Dec. 9.

While he may not possess the statistical outputs of some of the top transfer linemen, the 6-foot-5 defender notched 11 tackles and 4 1/2 tackles for loss in six contests with Grambling in 2024. He also tallied a pair of sacks and a forced fumble in his sophomore season.

As a recruit, Garner was considered the No. 219 defensive lineman and No. 54 prospect from Illinois for the class of 2023. He reeled in offers from Navy, Central Michigan, Miami (OH), Ball State and FAU while at Bloom High School in Chicago.

Garner is among several defenders circled on Wisconsin’s transfer portal interest pool.

As of Dec. 20, Louisville edge rusher Mason Reiger, Tulane defensive lineman Parker Peterson, Western Michigan defensive lineman Corey Walker, UT-Martin defensive lineman Charles Perkins, Western Carolina linebacker Antarron Turner, Richmond safety Matthew Traynor and Bethel safety Matt Jung have officially committed to the Badgers.

Given the recent transfer departures of defensive linemen Curt Neal, James Thompson Jr. and Hank Weber, Wisconsin can use some bodies at the position. Garner doesn’t boast the most eye-popping resume, but he’s beginning to receive some national interest.

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 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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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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BREAKING: Wisconsin lands commitment from Ohio State transfer wide receiver

Wisconsin lands an experienced transfer wide receiver

Wisconsin landed a commitment from former Ohio State wide receiver Jayden Ballard on Wednesday.

Ballard is Wisconsin’s first transfer wide receiver addition of the cycle and its 10th transfer commitment. He joins the program with one year of eligibility remaining.

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

Ballard entered the portal after four years with the Buckeyes. He joined the program in 2021 as one of the top recruits in the country (No. 55 overall in the class of 2021).

The Ohio native never fully delivered on his top recruiting profile amid a loaded wide receiver room in Columbus. He played in 35 combined games over four seasons, totaling 11 catches, 177 receiving yards and one touchdown. His 2022 campaign accounted for much of that production: eight catches, 155 yards and a touchdown.

Ballard joins a Wisconsin wide receiver room that recently lost both Will Pauling and C.J. Williams to the transfer portal. Redshirt sophomore Trech Kekahuna (slot) and senior Vinny Anthony each figure to start, leaving a major opportunity at the second boundary position. Ballard joins a mix of contenders for that starting spot that also includes redshirt juniors Joseph Griffin Jr. and Quincy Burroughs.

Overall, the wide receiver group figures to play a prominent role as new offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes installs his scheme, shifting the program away from its air raid approach.

Wisconsin had a top-10 transfer class before Ballard’s commitment. His addition should propel the group further up the rankings.

Bookmark our transfer visit and commitment tracker as Luke Fickell and his staff continue to make significant moves to bolster the roster.

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Where Wisconsin football’s 2025 transfer class ranks nationally after flurry of commitments

Where Wisconsin’s transfer class rankgs

Wisconsin is off to a red-hot start to the 2025 transfer cycle. The program has nine players committed, highlighted by Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., Ball State tight end Tanner Koziol and Tulane defensive lineman Parker Petersen.

That strong start has the program’s class at No. 9 in 247Sports’ team transfer portal class rankings.

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

Wisconsin slots behind No. 1 Ole Miss (nine commits, five four-stars), No. 2 LSU (nine commits, five four-stars), No. 3 Texas Tech (11 commits, four four-stars), No. 4 Auburn (eight commits, four four-stars), No. 5 Texas A&M (five commits, three four-stars), No. 6 Mississippi State (eight commits, one four-star), No. 7 Houston (11 commits, one four-star) and No. 8 Minnesota (10 commits, zero four-stars) at this early stage of the cycle.

The Badgers entered the offseason with significant roster needs, some which were heightened due to departing transfers. The biggest needs were quarterback, defensive line, edge rusher, tight end, linebacker and safety.

Wisconsin has done extremely well in addressing those positions. It’s landed a starting quarterback (Edwards Jr.), a backup quarterback (Danny O’Neil), a star tight end (Koziol), several defensive linemen (Petersen, Corey Walker, Charles Perkins), an edge rusher (Mason Reiger) and a starting safety (Matthew Traynor). Several of those players were among the best available, highlighted by Edwards Jr. and Koziol.

The Badgers still have work to do, most notably at wide receiver and linebacker. But taking a snapshot on Dec. 18, the program appears to be taking strong steps forward entering a pivotal 2025 season. Any finish within the top 10 of the national transfer class rankings could be a strong indicator of success to come.

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