Tag: Luke Fickell

Wisconsin kept Alabama out of the College Football Playoff

Wisconsin kept Alabama out of the College Football Playoff

The Wisconsin Badgers are to thank for the Alabama Crimson Tide missing the 12-team College Football Playoff.

Imagine reading that sentence back in August before the season began. The likely reason for that reality, if projecting forward, would have been Wisconsin notching a signature win over Alabama when the Crimson Tide visited Madison.

Related: Major takeaways from Wisconsin hiring Kansas’ Jeff Grimes as its new offensive coordinator

Nope, that did not happen. Alabama dominated Wisconsin 42-10 in the Week 3 meeting. The Badgers lost starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke on the opening drive to a season-ending injury. The team showed some fight, holding the score within 11 points in the minutes approaching halftime. But the Crimson Tide struck quickly for an end-of-half score to broaden its lead to 21-3, then added another seven points to start the third quarter to break the game open.

At the time, it was a strong win for the Crimson Tide. A road nonconference win against a strong Big Ten program usually would be a resume-booster.

But in this case, Wisconsin’s end-of-season five-game losing streak and final 5-7 record took the shine away from Alabama’s win. It made the win mostly unimpressive, which proved to be a significant factor when the CFP committee held the Crimson Tide out of the 12-team field in favor of an 11-2 SMU team.

The Crimson Tide and Mustangs were the final two teams in contention for the last at-large bid. SMU is 11-2 with a ACC title game loss to Clemson, while Alabama is 9-3 with losses to Vanderbilt, Oklahoma and Tennessee.

Many believe that the committee’s precedent of adding Alabama over an undefeated ACC champion Florida State in 2023 would lead to them favoring the Crimson Tide again this season.

Whether they should have or not, Alabama’s resume was deemed less impressive than SMU’s. Connecting the dots, that win over Wisconsin could have been the difference, had the Badgers gone on to finish 8-4 or 9-3. Instead, the Badgers missed a bowl game, and held Alabama out of the playoff.

Wisconsin and Alabama will meet in Tuscaloosa in 2025.

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: Another Wisconsin starting offensive lineman announces return for 2025

BREAKING: Another Wisconsin starting offensive lineman announces return for 2025

Wisconsin center Jake Renfro announced on Saturday he would be returning to the Badgers for his final year of eligibility in 2025.

He is the second veteran member of Wisconsin’s starting offensive line to announce his intention to return, joining right tackle Riley Mahlman.

Related: Ranking Wisconsin football’s updated transfer portal needs after a busy first week of movement

Renfro joined the program in 2023 after three seasons under Luke Fickell at Cincinnati. He was a first-team all-AAC member in 2021 after starting 13 games for a Bearcats team that made the College Football Playoff.

He then missed the entire 2022 season with an injury before transferring to the Badgers after Fickell got the job. The veteran center remained out for most of the 2023 season, only seeing game action in Wisconsin’s ReliaQuest Bowl loss to LSU.

Renfro stepped into the starting job in 2024 after 2023 starter Tanor Bortolini left for the NFL. He led an offensive line that was arguably the strength of the team, and was far from the reason the offense finished outside the nation’s top 100 in scoring.

His return means three members of the 2024 offensive line will be back — Renfro, Mahlman and left guard Joe Brunner.

Big questions will surround Wisconsin’s left tackle position entering the season. Top freshman Kevin Heywood could win the job if the program does not land a top veteran in the transfer portal.

Wisconsin officially hired Kansas’ Jeff Grimes to its vacant offensive coordinator role on Saturday. While he has significant work to do to rebuild a struggling unit, the team’s returning talent and experience up front should provide a significant help. Renfro’s return is big news in that regard.

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

Report: Wisconsin officially hires Jeff Grimes to fill offensive coordinator vacancy

Report: Wisconsin, Jeff Grimes in agreement on deal as Badgers’ new offensive coordinator

Wisconsin is officially in agreement to hire Kansas’ Jeff Grimes as its new offensive coordinator, according to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg.

The Badgers were first reported to be pursuing Grimes on Friday. Just one day later, the deal appears to have been finalized. The specific terms are yet to be announced.

Related: Ranking Wisconsin football’s updated transfer portal needs after a busy first week of movement

Grimes is set to fill a position that became vacant when Wisconsin fired Phil Longo in mid-November. Luke Fickell and the Badgers closed the season with a coordinator-by-committee approach, which was a sub-story to closing losses to rivals Nebraska and Minnesota.

The veteran coordinator is making a lateral move to Wisconsin after spending one year as Kansas’ offensive coordinator. He’s previously held the same position at Baylor (2021-23) and BYU (2018-20). Prior, Grimes was an offensive line coach for numerous top programs, highlighted by time at LSU (2014-17), Virginia Tech (2013) and Auburn (2009-12).

There is still no official word from the Wisconsin program. But Rittenberg’s report, paired with Kansas hiring a new coordinator, enforces its reality.

Grimes will be tasked with fixing a Wisconsin offense that averaged just 22.6 points per game in 2024 (No. 108 in the nation) and 23.5 points per game (No. 93) in 2023. He figures to bring a more classic old-school Wisconsin approach, a departure from the previous two years of Phil Longo’s air raid system.

The next step for the veteran coordinator is recrafting the team’s quarterback room. Kansas star QB Jalon Daniels is staying put with the Jayhawks, so the Badgers may be forced into the larger transfer market. Veteran Tyler Van Dyke may return, though questions surround his health after a September ACL injury.

Grimes’ job will be critical to Luke Fickell’s tenure as he works to improve the team from its 12-13 combined record over the last two seasons.

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

Kansas star quarterback will not be following Jeff Grimes to Wisconsin

Kansas star quarterback will not be following Jeff Grimes to Wisconsin

Wisconsin is reportedly closing in on hiring Kansas’ Jeff Grimes as its new offensive coordinator. All signs point toward the hire becoming a reality, signs such as Kansas hiring Grimes’ replacement.

The next storyline to follow is what the program does at quarterback. Veteran Tyler Van Dyke’s return is up in the air as he recovers from a torn ACL suffered in mid-September. It’s likely that Wisconsin will enter the third consecutive season with a new veteran transfer under center.

Related: Ranking Wisconsin football’s updated transfer portal needs after a busy first week of movement

That veteran will not be Kansas star quarterback Jalon Daniels, who recently announced on X his intention to return to the Jayhawks for his final season of eligibility.

“Kansas has been my home, my family, and my foundation,” Daniels wrote. “The work continues, and the best is still ahead. I’m ready to lead the Kansas Jayhawks into the 2025 season and fully focused on becoming the best QB possible.”

The update is noteworthy given the mentioned context. Wisconsin likely needs a quarterback, and just hired Daniels’ offensive coordinator to the same position. Kansas, meanwhile, promoted quarterbacks coach Jim Zebrowski to its vacant OC position.

Thamel specifically reported that ‘Daniels has agreed to a new deal to stay with the Jayhawks for 2025.’ NIL can be added to the coaching continuity as reasons for his decision to remain with the Jayhawks.

Daniels has played in 37 career games for Kansas dating back to 2020. He’s completed 61.3% of his passes for totals of 6,751 yards, 45 touchdowns and 24 interceptions, in addition to 303 carries for 1,041 rushing yards and 19 rushing touchdowns.

The dual-threat quarterback had his best season in 2022 under former OC Andy Kotelnicki, who has since moved over to Penn State. He finished that year with a 66.1 completion percentage, 2,014 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and four interceptions.

His one year under Grimes (2024) was a minor step back. The veteran completed just 57% of his passes for 2,454 yards, 14 touchdowns and a league-leading 12 interceptions.

Grimes will not get a further chance to help Daniels back to his top-end 2022 form, as Wisconsin will have to look elsewhere for its starting quarterback in 2025.

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

Wisconsin kicker enters the transfer portal

Wisconsin kicker enters the transfer portal

Wisconsin kickoff specialist Gavin Lahm announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Saturday.

The former walk-on is the 15th Badger to enter the portal since the team’s season concluded on Nov. 29. He is the second walk-on to do so, joining offensive lineman Manny Mullens.

Related: Wisconsin football 2024 transfer portal tracker

“First, I want to extend my gratitude to the University of Wisconsin for providing me with the support and opportunity to play football while furthering my education,” Lahm wrote on X. “It has been an honor to be a Badger and play for my home state…After much deliberation, I have decided to enter the transfer portal with one year of eligibility.”

The Kaukauna, Wisconsin native joined the Badgers program in 2022. He played a total of 30 games over three seasons, primarily as the team’s kickoff specialist. 67 of his 135 career kickoffs went for touchbacks (49%), with an overall average of 62.2 yards. He also recorded one solo tackle during the 2024 season.

Lahm never won the job as Wisconsin’s starting placekicker. Nate Van Zelst and Vito Calvaruso split the job in 2022, while Nathanial Vakos has held the position for each of the past two seasons.

The junior kicker enters the portal likely looking for an opportunity to start. That was unlikely at Wisconsin with Vakos likely returning for 2025.

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

Wisconsin top offensive tackle announces return for 2025 season

Wisconsin top offensive tackle announces return for 2025 season

As transfer movement halted for a moment, Wisconsin got a piece of good news on Friday night.

That came from three-year starting right tackle Riley Mahlman, who announced he would be returning to the Badgers for the 2025 season.

Related: Ranking Wisconsin football’s updated transfer portal needs after a busy first week of movement

Mahlman originally joined the program as a four-star recruit in the class of 2021, ranked as the No. 142 player in the class and the No. 1 recruit from Minnesota.

He won the starting right tackle job as only a redshirt freshman in 2022, though he made only six starts that season due to an injury. He then stuck around as Luke Fickell took the job entering 2023. The redshirt junior started all 25 games over the past two seasons and has established himself as one of the top players on the entire roster.

“Not done yet,” Mahlman wrote on X. “See everybody back in Camp Randall for the 2025 season.”

His return is big news as the Badgers usher in a new offensive system under reported new coordinator Jeff Grimes. Grimes comes from an offensive line background and is reliant on a power-running game. Mahlman’s skill set fits that approach perfectly. In a year that will see turnover across the offensive unit, continuity at a critical position along the offensive line is paramount.

The other possible returnee to monitor is center Jake Renfro. He spoke during the season about petitioning for the year of eligibility he lost while out with an injury during the 2023 season. If he were to also return, the Badgers would retain three of their five offensive line starters — Mahlman, Renfro and left guard Joe Brunner.

The team’s plan at left tackle is a significant storyline entering the offseason transfer windows. Mahlman’s return at right tackle, at least, eliminates one potential glaring need.

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

Wisconsin 2026 iOL target includes Badgers in top four, announces commitment date

Wisconsin 2026 iOL target includes Badgers in top four, announces commitment date

Wisconsin top class of 2026 target Ben Nichols will announce his collegiate commitment on Dec. 24, per his latest post on X.

On Nov. 11, Nichols listed Wisconsin, Tennessee, Ohio State, Alabama, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Penn State, Kentucky and Iowa as his final nine landing spots.

On Dec. 6, the four-star recruit whittled the list down to just Wisconsin, Tennessee, Notre Dame and Penn State, per 247Sports national recruiting analyst Allen Trieu.

The outlet’s composite ranking considers Nichols the No. 244 overall recruit in the class of 2025, No. 16 interior offensive lineman and No. 3 prospect from his home state of Michigan for the class of 2026.

While Wisconsin’s inclusion in Nichols’ final four landing spots is substantial, recruiting outlets project the Michigan native to land with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. On3’s recruiting prediction machine lists the college football juggernaut as his most likely landing spot at 82%, and Rivals’ Penn State analyst Richard O’Leary recently released a FutureCast projecting the Fighting Irish to secure his commitment.

UW’s current iOL room took a hit on Thursday with the loss of James Durand to the transfer portal. Both Joe Huber and Jake Renfro competed as redshirt seniors, so Wisconsin is certainly in need of some depth at the position.

Yes, Nichols is a 2026 recruit, but his talent is unquestionable. As a junior in high school, his 6-foot-5, 315-pound frame makes him one of the more alluring 2026 talents in the nation.

Report: Wisconsin closing in on offensive coordinator hire

Report: Wisconsin close to hiring Kansas offensive coordinator as its next OC

Wisconsin is closing in on hiring Kansas offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes as its next OC, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

“A deal is not complete,” Thamel wrote on X. “But the sides are talking and those talks are expected to intensify in the near future.”

Related: Ranking Wisconsin football’s updated transfer portal needs after a busy first week of movement

Wisconsin is looking to fill a position that became vacant when the program fired Phil Longo in November. Grimes is an experienced assistant with extensive roots coaching the offensive line and a power-run scheme.

The veteran assistant has coached offense at the college level since 1998. His notable stops include Arizona State (OL, 2001-03), BYU (OL, 2004-06), Colorado (OL, 2007-08), Auburn (OL, 2009-12), Virginia Tech (OL, 2013), LSU (OL, 2014-17), BYU (OC, 2018-20), Baylor (OC/TEs coach, 2021-23), Kansas (OC, 2024).

He does not have any prior connection to either Luke Fickell or the Wisconsin program — aside from coaching the BYU team that upset the Badgers in 2018.

Grimes’ Kansas offense finished the 2024 regular season ranked No. 53 in scoring offense (29.7 points per game), No. 13 in rush offense (211.4 yards per game) and No. 88 in pass offense (208.8 yards per game).

His potential hire reflects Luke Fickell’s recent comments about the Badgers returning to a more pro-style offense. At the least, Fickell has expressed a desire to build an offensive identity around the program’s classic calling card — the offensive line and the run game. Grimes fits that mold directly.

He also has extensive experience as an offensive coordinator, though hasn’t risen far since starting as BYU’s OC in 2018. That lack of trajectory could be good news for the Badgers, as Grimes may be more likely to stay around if he finds success. It does also signal the difference between him and some of the other top coordinator candidates.

We now await confirmation on if the reported ‘talks’ reach a deal.

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

Wisconsin football offers top class of 2026 offensive tackle

Wisconsin football offers top class of 2026 offensive tackle

The Wisconsin Badgers extended an offer to top 150 class of 2026 prospect Carter Scruggs on Wednesday.

The college football recruiting cycle is truly nonstop. On Wisconsin’s early signing day for its class of 2025, the recruiting staff added yet another four-star recruit to its class of 2026 offer sheet.

Since the beginning of November, that impressive list of offers includes Scruggs, four-star cornerback Khary Adams, four-star running back Jonathan Hatton Jr., four-star running back Amari Clemons and four-star quarterback Peyton Falzone.

At 6-foot-6, 270 pounds, Scruggs is considered the No. 122 player in the nation, No. 11 iOL and No. 3 player from Virginia for the class of 2026.

His offer sheet is absolutely loaded. The 2026 talent has received offers from programs such as Oregon, Penn State, Georgia, Alabama, Clemson, Indiana, Michigan, South Carolina and USC.

Scruggs appears to be zeroed in on Penn State at this stage of his recruiting process. On3’s recruiting prediction machine has the Nittany Lions as a heavy favorite to land the four-star at over 86%, and three Rivals insiders have released forecasts projecting Scruggs to land in State College, PA.

Still, Wisconsin isn’t out of the race. The Badgers’ history with prioritizing the position provides them with some extra credibility, and their alumni speak for themselves.

As of Dec. 4, UW’s class of 2026 features two commitments — three-star iOL Benjamin Novak and three-star quarterback Jarin Mock.

Luke Fickell’s first recruiting class has been decimated by the transfer portal

Luke Fickell’s first recruiting class has been decimated by the transfer portal

Many applauded Luke Fickell for his work in the class of 2023 recruiting cycle after arriving on campus in early December.

The class was mostly in shambles after Paul Chryst was fired a few months earlier. Fickell hit the ground running, pushing the class to 15 commitments and a respectable ranking of No. 58 in the nation.

Related: Wisconsin football 2024 transfer portal tracker

Now exactly two years later, most of that class is no longer with the program. With offensive lineman James Durand entering the transfer portal on Friday, 11 of that 15-player class has now departed. Two did so after the 2023 season — edge rusher Jordan Mayer and cornerback A.J. Tisdell. A whopping nine players have joined that list just in the last week.

Here is an extended look at the entire class ordered by 247Sports ranking:

  • S Braedyn Moore — transfer portal (Dec. 3, 2024)
  • WR Trech Kekahuna — transfer portal (Dec. 4, 2024)
  • iOL James Durand — transfer portal (Dec. 6, 2024)
  • CB Amare Snowden — transfer portal (Dec. 1, 2024)
  • CB Jonas Duclona — transfer portal (Dec. 2, 2024)
  • DL Jamel Howard — Wisconsin backup defensive lineman
  • CB A.J. Tisdell — transferred to Incarnate Word (April 26, 2024)
  • CB Jace Arnold — transfer portal (Dec. 3, 2024)
  • RB Nate White — transfer portal (Dec. 4, 2024)
  • Edge Jordan Mayer — transferred to Penn State (Dec. 7, 2023)
  • TE Tucker Ashcraft — Wisconsin starting tight end
  • LB Tyler Jansey — Wisconsin backup linebacker
  • S Justin Taylor — transfer portal (Dec. 3, 2024)
  • LB Christian Alliegro — Wisconsin starting inside linebacker
  • QB Cole LaCrue — transfer portal (Nov. 21, 2024)

Just Jamel Howard, Tucker Ashcraft, Tyler Jansey and Christian Alliegro remain with the program from that class. Ashcraft and Alliegro played prominent on-field roles this past season.

The circumstance with every player is different. Both LaCrue and White faced uphill battles for snaps and playing time, while the opposite can be said for those numerous members of the secondary.

The most glaring departure by far is Kekahuna. The talented wide receiver was arguably underutilized in Phil Longo’s offense throughout the 2024 season. Though Will Pauling may return as Wisconsin’s top slot receiver in 2025, Kekahuna figured to play a significant role in the team’s new offensive system — whatever that specifically looks like.

This wave of exits crushes the team’s depth at cornerback and safety, adding the two positions as significant needs this transfer cycle. More than that, it also signals the current age of the sport. High school recruiting is still paramount. But excelling in that area won’t tell the full story when numerous players across the country transfer within their first two years at the college level.

The movement can likely be credited to the state of the sport. It’s something that needs to be a one-off, however. Fickell and his staff can’t afford another wave of departures from its top-ranked 2024 or 2025 classes.

For more on Wisconsin’s recent transfer movement and what it means for the team moving forward, bookmark our 2024 transfer portal 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.