Tag: Luke Fickell

Wisconsin transfer outside linebacker commits to Big Ten rival

Wisconsin transfer outside linebacker commits to Big Ten rival

Former Wisconsin outside linebacker Leon Lowery signed with Illinois on Tuesday.

Lowery entered the transfer portal on Dec. 1 after one year at Wisconsin. He commits to a Fighting Illini program that is fresh off a 9-3 2024 season. It is preparing to face No. 20 South Carolina in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31 in Orlando, Florida.

Prior to his stint with UW, Lowery played four seasons at Syracuse from 2020-23. He appeared in 29 games in that time and logged 77 total tackles, 20 1/2 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, a fumble recovery and two pass breakups.

The veteran pass-rusher did not translate that level of production to Wisconsin. During his lone season with the Badgers, he recorded 29 total tackles (18 solo), one tackle for loss and one sack.

Wisconsin’s outside linebacker room mostly struggled to pressure the quarterback in 2024. Lowery, alongside top outside linebackers Darryl Peterson, John Pius, Aaron Witt and Sebastian Cheeks, combined for 6 1/2 sacks and 13 tackles for loss. That lack of production was one reason the Wisconsin defense was unable to return to its pre-2023 form.

Lowery was one of Wisconsin’s first players to enter the portal when it opened in early December. He is set to play his final season of eligibility for a team that Wisconsin will face in 2025. The Fighting Illini visit the Badgers on Nov. 22, 2025, at Camp Randall. 

Wisconsin safeties coach leaves for Big 12 defensive coordinator position

Wisconsin safeties coach leaves for Big 12 defensive coordinator position

Wisconsin safeties coach Alex Grinch was named the new defensive coordinator at UCF on Tuesday.

Grinch departs after one season with the Badgers. He was the defensive coordinator at USC (2022-2023) and Oklahoma (2019-2021) under coach Lincoln Riley.

The veteran assistant is a two-time semifinalist (2017, 2019) for the Broyles Award, which is awarded to the top assistant coach in college football. He was also a well-known defensive coordinator for all of the wrong reasons during his time with the Sooners and Trojans. His defenses ranked among the worst in the nation for an extended period.

  • 2023 (at USC, though was fired midway through the year): No. 119 in total defense with 432.8 yards allowed per game, No. 121 in scoring defense (34.4 points allowed per game)
  • 2022 (at USC): No. 106 in total defense (423.9 yards allowed), No. 93 in scoring defense (29.2 points)
  • 2021 (at Oklahoma): No. 76 in total defense (391.5 yards allowed), No. 59 in scoring defense (25.8 points)

He gets another shot at leading a defense, joining a UCF staff under new coach Scott Frost — yes, former Nebraska coach Scott Frost.

Wisconsin will search for a new safeties coach entering the 2025 season. It will be Luke Fickell’s third safeties coach in as many years: Colin Hitschler held the position in 2023 before moving to Alabama.

The Badgers already made one staff change this offseason: hiring offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes from Kansas. Given the program’s top-down turnover of the last four seasons, continuity will be a good thing moving forward.

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

BREAKING: Wisconsin lands commitment from All-CAA transfer safety

BREAKING: Wisconsin lands commitment from All-CAA transfer safety

This story was updated to add new information and correct a misspelling.

Wisconsin football’s transfer portal haul is growing by the minute.

The Badgers secured another commitment from the portal on Monday evening: former Richmond transfer safety Matthew Traynor.

Traynor is one of six transfer portal commitments Wisconsin gained on Monday, joining Arkansas long snapper Eli Stein, Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., UT-Martin defensive lineman Charles Perkins, Western Michigan defensive lineman Corey Walker and San Diego State quarterback Danny O’Neil. They join the program’s previous additions: Louisville edge rusher Mason Reiger, Ball State tight end Tanner Koziol and Tulane defensive lineman Parker Petersen.

The talented safety announced his intention to enter the portal on Dec. 2 after two years with Spiders. The redshirt freshman played 13 games in 2024, totaling 69 total tackles, 4 1/2 tackles for loss, two interceptions and three pass deflections. That production was enough to earn him a spot on the All-Coastal Athletic Association third team.

Traynor’s acquisition is notable given UW’s recent defensive back movement. Since the portal opened on Dec. 9, cornerback Max Lofy, safety Kamo’i Latu, CB Braedyn Moore, defensive back Jace Arnold, CB Justin Taylor, CB Jonas Duclona and DB Amare Snowden have entered.

Wisconsin also loses 2024 starting safety Hunter Wohler (NFL draft). Traynor is a significant addition at a key position of need, and projects to start for the team for several years to come.

For more as this transfer cycle continues, bookmark our transfer offer, visit and commitment tracker.

Wisconsin lands commitment from SEC transfer long snapper

Wisconsin lands commitment from SEC transfer long snapper

Luke Fickell’s aggressiveness in the transfer portal continues to benefit the Wisconsin Badgers football program.

The Badgers landed yet another commitment from the portal on Monday evening when they secured a pledge from former Arkansas long snapper Eli Stein.

Stein is Wisconsin’s sixth transfer commitment on Monday, joining Richmond safety Matthew Traynor, Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., UT-Martin defensive lineman Charles Perkins, Western Michigan defensive lineman Corey Walker and San Diego State quarterback Danny O’Neil.

The veteran specialist and Cambridge, Wisconsin native transfers to Madison with a pair of seasons at the NCAA Division I level under his belt. From 2022-23, Stein started in 23 games for the Razorbacks as the team’s primary long snapper. In those games, he logged 234 snaps on special teams.

He’s been named to the Patrick Mannelly Award watch list twice and also notched a spot on the Freshman All-SEC Team in 2022.

At Cambridge High School, Stein was a consensus five-star prospect by Kohl’s Kicking and Rubio Long Snapping for the class of 2022. He also elected to commit to the program over offers from Wisconsin, Illinois, Baylor and Stanford.

While Stein may not receive headlines for pass-catching capabilities or defensive statistics, the Badgers are in need of some support at the position. Redshirt senior Cayson Pfeiffer just wrapped up his sixth year of college football and redshirt senior Duncan McKinley has played in one game during his five years at UW.

For more as this transfer cycle continues, bookmark our transfer offer, visit and commitment tracker.

BREAKING: Wisconsin class of 2025 quarterback signee decommits from program

Wisconsin class of 2025 quarterback commit decommits from program

Wisconsin class of 2025 signee Landyn Locke announced his decision to decommit from the Badgers’ class of 2025 on Monday.

Landyn Locke — the younger brother of former Badgers’ starter Braedyn Locke — made his choice just 12 days after signing with Wisconsin during its early signing day window on Dec. 4.

His choice follows a string of movements within the room. His older brother Braedyn entered the portal on Dec. 11 following an up-and-down season as the Badgers’ starter. That followed the departure of  Tyler Van Dyke, who also entered the portal after the 2024 season concluded.

After those departures, Wisconsin landed commitments from San Diego State transfer quarterback Danny O’Neil and Maryland starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. Those two additions, paired with the arrival of highly-touted class of 2025 quarterback Carter Smith, would have seen Locke enter far down the depth chart in Wisconsin’s crowded quarterback room.

With the reality of the updated depth chart, the Badgers’ move to fire offensive coordinator Phil Longo in November was also likely a factor in Locke’s decision.

The Texas native committed to Wisconsin in June 2023, just months after Braedyn transferred to the program from Mississippi State. He was set to join the Badgers as 247Sports’ No. 1,108 player in the class of 2025 and the No. 64 quarterback.

Rising sophomore Mabrey Mettauer is the only remaining quarterback from Wisconsin’s 2024 squad. Redshirt freshman Cole LaCrue also departed alongside Van Dyke and both Locke brothers this offseason.

For more on UW’s departing talent, bookmark our 2024 transfer portal departures tracker.

Wisconsin loses veteran defensive back to the transfer portal

Wisconsin loses veteran defensive back to the transfer portal

Wisconsin Badgers veteran cornerback Max Lofy announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Monday.

Lofy is the seventh former Badger defensive back to enter the portal since it opened on Dec. 9, joining safety Kamo’i Latu, CB Braedyn Moore, DB Jace Arnold, CB Justin Taylor, CB Jonas Duclona and DB Amare Snowden.

“I am forever grateful for the opportunity to play football here at the University of Wisconsin and am honored to have had the privilege of wearing the motion W on Saturdays in the fall,” Lofy wrote on X. “To coach (Jim) Leonhard and coach (Paul) Chryst, thank you for believing in me all those years ago and giving me a chance to live out my dreams. To coach (Luke Fickell) and coach (Alex) Grinch, thank you for what you have taught me over the last two years and for making me the player I am today.”

The defensive back signed with the Badgers as a three-star recruit in the class of 2020 after an impressive high school tenure at Pine Creek High School in Colorado. Lofy joined Wisconsin’s program over opportunities at Kansas State, Arizona State, Oklahoma State and Minnesota.

After redshirting his 2020 season, Lofy played in 29 games from 2021-2024 and registered 28 total tackles, one interceptions and two pass deflections during his tenure in Madison.

Though he began the 2024 season as a starter, Lofy was largely relegated to a depth role as the season continued. He looks to play his final collegiate season elsewhere.

Defensive back has become a big need area for Wisconsin this offseason. Most of the room’s depth is now portal-bound.

To counteract that, Wisconsin has offered Miami (Ohio) cornerback Raion Strader, Northern Illinois safety Santana Banner, Richmond safety Matthew Traynor, and South Florida safety Tawfiq Byard, among others.

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

Wisconsin offers promising FBS transfer wide receiver

Wisconsin offers promising FBS transfer wide receiver

Wisconsin extended an offer to Charlotte transfer wide receiver O’Mega Blake on Monday.

Since Dec. 12, Colorado State, Florida State, Arkansas, Michigan State, Oklahoma State, Utah and Wisconsin have all extended offers to the experienced Division I pass-catcher.

Blake registered 32 receptions, 795 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in 12 contests with Charlotte in 2024. His most impressive performance arrived on Nov. 23 against Florida Atlantic: 205 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

Prior to his stint with the 49ers, Blake spent three seasons at South Carolina from 2021-23. There, he reeled in 20 catches for 251 yards and two touchdowns in 16 career appearances.

As a recruit, he was considered the No. 9 player in South Carolina, No. 108 at wide receiver, and No. 697 in the country for the class of 2021 by 247Sports.

Blake becomes the latest target to join Wisconsin’s transfer portal interest pool. He, Kansas State redshirt freshman wide receiver Tre Spivey and Cal freshman pass-catcher Nyziah Hunter are players UW has targeted to fill the program’s need at outside receiver.

UW is also reportedly planned a visit for former top-55 overall recruit and Ohio State wide receiver Jayden Ballard.

The Badgers are still looking for pass-catching weapons with several primary needs already addressed.

BREAKING: Wisconsin lands commitment from top transfer quarterback

Massive news for Luke Fickell and the Badgers

Wisconsin has its 2025 starting quarterback.

The Badgers made significant headlines on Monday evening when they landed a transfer commitment from former Maryland starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr.

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

Edwards Jr. is Wisconsin’s fourth transfer commitment of the day, joining UT-Martin defensive lineman Charles Perkins, Western Michigan defensive lineman Corey Walker and San Diego State quarterback Danny O’Neil. They join Louisville edge rusher Mason Reiger, Ball State tight end Tanner Koziol and Tulane defensive lineman Parker Petersen.

The veteran quarterback and former Big Ten starter transfers to the program with one year of eligibility remaining. He started 11 games for Maryland in 2024, completing 65% of his passes for 2,881 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. His 420 pass attempts were the most in the Big Ten, largely due to Maryland often facing significant deficits and being unable to run the ball effectively.

Edwards Jr.’s numbers come with that asterisk. He was the lone bright spot on a 4-8 Maryland team. The numbers came despite the weak supporting cast, especially up front.

He becomes Wisconsin’s clear 2025 starting quarterback upon committing. He was one of the Badgers’ best transfer options available and chose them over top contenders Michigan and Virginia.

Wisconsin also landed San Diego State transfer Danny O’Neil on Monday. O’Neil joins with three years of eligibility remaining and profiles as a strong backup option entering the 2025 season.

Edwards Jr.’s commitment caps an impressive recruiting burst for Luke Fickell and his coaching staff, especially new offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes. The Badgers have addressed several key areas of need and came away with one of the better transfer quarterbacks available.

For more as this transfer cycle continues, bookmark our transfer offer, visit and commitment 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.

BREAKING: Wisconsin lands commitment from promising transfer quarterback

Wisconsin lands its first quarterback of the transfer cycle

Wisconsin landed a commitment from San Diego State transfer quarterback Danny O’Neil on Monday.

O’Neil is Wisconsin’s first quarterback addition of the transfer cycle and fifth overall, joining Western Michigan defensive lineman Corey Walker, Louisville edge rusher Mason Reiger, Ball State tight end Tanner Koziol and Tulane defensive lineman Parker Petersen.

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

O’Neil joins the Badgers after one year at San Diego State. He was the Aztecs’ starter as only a true freshman, completing 63.3% of his passes for 2,181 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions.

The former three-star recruit in the class of 2024 has three years of eligibility remaining. His addition is similar to the Badgers’ signings of redshirt freshmen Braedyn Locke and Nick Evers entering the 2023 season. He has more starting experience than both of those players did at the time of their commitments, but he projects to begin his Wisconsin career as the backup before possibly starting down the road.

O’Neil’s commitment was quickly followed by Wisconsin picking up a prediction to land former Maryland starter Billy Edwards Jr. That starter-backup duo would represent a best-case scenario for Luke Fickell as he works to build the personnel around coordinator Jeff Grimes’ new offense.

For more on Wisconsin’s other targets at quarterback, bookmark our transfer offer, visit and commitment 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.

BREAKING: Wisconsin lands commitment from accomplished transfer defensive lineman

Wisconsin picks up another significant transfer addition on defense.

Wisconsin landed a commitment from Western Michigan transfer defensive lineman Corey Walker on Monday.

Walker is the Badgers’ fourth portal addition of the last week, joining Louisville edge rusher Mason Reiger, Ball State tight end Tanner Koziol and Tulane defensive lineman Parker Petersen. With Petersen, he fills an important position of need on the Badgers’ 2025 roster.

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

Walker entered the portal after four years at Western Michigan, two as a starter. His impressive 2023 and 2024 campaigns include 23 starts, 70 tackles (39 solo), 15 tackles for loss, eight sacks, nine pass deflections and one forced fumble.

Those are significant numbers from an interior defensive line position. His 2024 production of seven tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks would have led Wisconsin’s defense in each category. It has been well-documented how badly the Badgers’ 2024 unit struggled getting to the quarterback (No. 121 in the nation with 1.3 sacks per game). Walker’s addition is a big step toward fixing that reality in 2025.

He commits to the program with one year of eligibility remaining.

Walker and Petersen project to lead a Wisconsin defense line room that lost most of its production from the 2024 season. Veterans Ben Barten and Brandon Lane, plus underclassmen Jamel Howard and Dillan Johnson figure to play into that 2025 rotation.

Defensive line was arguably the program’s biggest portal need entering the offseason — next to a starting quarterback. Luke Fickell and his staff have done well in addressing it, highlighted by the addition of Walker.

For more on Wisconsin’s transfer commitments and interests, bookmark our transfer offer, visit and commitment 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.