Tag: sign

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.

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Early Signing Day: Wisconsin officially signs two former top Michigan commits

Early Signing Day: Wisconsin officially signs two former top Michigan commits

Wisconsin’s busy few weeks in the class of 2025 culminated on Wednesday, when college football’s early signing period began.

Among Wisconsin’s many signings are two of the program’s most recent additions. Those players are four-star DL Jaylen Williams and four-star QB Carter Smith, each who were formerly among Michigan‘s top commits in the class.

Related: Early Signing Day Tracker: Updates on Wisconsin football’s full activity in class of 2025

Williams flipped to the Badgers from the Wolverines on Nov. 20, while Smith de-committed from Michigan and eventually committed to Wisconsin on Nov. 24.

Smith is Wisconsin’s highest-rated commit in the cycle, ranked as 247Sports’ No. 164 player in the class of 2025, No. 15 quarterback and No. 26 recruit from Florida.

Williams, meanwhile, is among the most important members of the class. Wisconsin’s defensive line group looks incredibly thin moving forward. His status as a four-star recruit and 247Sports’ No. 230-ranked player in the class should begin to address that issue.

Each players’ respective path to Wisconsin was different. Wisconsin beat Florida State more than anybody else for Smith after he left Michigan’s class — a move that coincided with the program’s pursuit of top quarterback Bryce Underwood. Both, however, were previously two of the Wolverines’ top commits in the cycle.

Wisconsin has not won much on the field since Luke Fickell arrived before the 2023 season. These two signings represent important recruiting wins as he works to chart the program’s path forward.

For more updates on Wisconsin’s early signing period, bookmark our signing day tracker.

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Former Wisconsin Badger signs to Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad

Former Wisconsin Badger signs to Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad

Former Wisconsin long-snapper Peter Bowden signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad on Tuesday.

The former Badger previously spent the offseason with the Green Bay Packers after signing as an undrafted free agent after the 2024 NFL draft. He was eventually released in late August after losing the battle for the starting long-snapper position.

Related: Every former Wisconsin Badger on an NFL 53-man roster entering 2024 ranked by career earnings

Just a few months later, the Wisconsin product now has another shot in the league.

Bowden previously started 39 games at long-snapper for the Badgers from 2021-23. His college career was highlighted by being named a finalist for the Patrick Mannelly Award (for the nation’s best long-snapper) in 2023.

He is now one of seven former Badgers on NFL practice squads, joining Quintez Cephus (Los Angeles Rams), Matt Henningsen (Denver Broncos), Faion Hicks (Seattle Seahawks), Tanner Mordecai (San Francisco 49ers), Kendric Pryor (Cincinnati Bengals) and Hayden Rucci (Miami Dolphins).

Bowden will now await a promotion to the active roster with Ross Matiscik established as the Jaguars’ starting long-snapper. The team is currently 2-7 after a recent loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, tied with six others for the worst record in the NFL.

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Milwaukee Bucks sign player at center of officiating disaster in Wisconsin’s 2015 title loss to Duke

Milwaukee Bucks sign player at center of officiating disaster in Wisconsin’s 2015 national championship loss

The memories of the 2015 NCAA Tournament national title game never seem to disappear.

The Wisconsin lost to Duke, 68-63. The game was a crushing end to the most successful era of Badger basketball and likely the best individual team in program history.

Related: Big Ten basketball power rankings entering 2024-25 season: A first look at the expanded conference

We’ve relived the game enough over the last nine years. How Wisconsin lost after leading 48-39 with 13:20 remaining in the second half. How Grayson Allen came out of nowhere to steal the win. How Wisconsin, the lowest-foul-committing team in the country, went from being called for just two fouls in the first half to 13 in the second half — leading to 16 Duke free throws.

Now thanks to the Milwaukee Bucks, it’s time to relive one of those moments yet again.

The Bucks signed Justice Winslow to an exhibit 10 contract on Thursday. Winslow is a nine-year NBA veteran with time in Miami (2015-20), Memphis (2020-21), Los Angeles (Clippers, 2021-22), Portland (2022-23) and the G League (2023-24). He joins the Bucks organization before their season begins in Philadelphia on Wednesday.

https://twitter.com/JamalCollier/status/1846979550506635650

Winslow is most commonly known in the state of Wisconsin as the player who touched the ball as it went out of bounds late in Duke’s national title win over the Badgers.

The situation: 1:51 remaining in the game, Duke leading Wisconsin 63-58. The ball deflected out of bounds on a rebound and was called out on Wisconsin. After review, the referees stuck with the call. Badgers fans, however, forever have the screenshot of the ball apparently grazing Winslow’s finger.

https://twitter.com/KHoffenbecker/status/1762916601580380194

That call mostly ended Wisconsin’s hopes for a national title. Duke guard Tyus Jones hit a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession to stretch the lead to 66-58 with 1:24 remaining in the game.

Winslow is a member of the Bucks organization, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a short drive from the Madison area. A straw poll of Madison residents would assuredly agree that Winslow touched the ball.

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Wisconsin basketball legend is back in the NBA

Wisconsin basketball legend is back in the NBA

Wisconsin basketball legend Frank Kaminsky signed a training camp contract with the Phoenix Suns this week, according to his representation at Priority Sports.

Kaminsky is back in the NBA, at least for the time being, after playing the 2023-24 season with Partizan Belgrade in Serbia. He played 57 games during the team’s EuroLeague season, averaging 8.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists.

Related: Big Ten basketball teams ranked by returning production entering 2024-25 season

The former Badger played three seasons in Phoenix (2019-22). He played a consistent reserve role on the Suns team that lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2021 NBA Finals.

This season would be Kaminsky’s 11th in the NBA if he makes the Suns’ regular-season roster.

His career averages are 8.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists on 43% shooting and 35% from three. His best seasons came with the Charlotte Hornets in 2016-17 and 2017-18: He eclipsed 23 minutes and 11 points per game in each season.

Kaminsky’s college career needs no explanation. The 2015 National College Player of the Year and consensus first-team All-American was the driving force behind back-to-back trips to the Final Four and the program getting on the doorstep of winning a national title. His No. 44 is retired in the Kohl Center rafters.

The Badger great joins Johnny Davis (Washington Wizards) and Micah Potter (Utah Jazz) as the only former Badgers in the NBA. All three are looking to carve out significant roles entering the upcoming season.

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Cincinnati Bengals sign former Wisconsin wide receiver to practice squad

Former Wisconsin wide receiver signs to Cincinnati Bengals practice squad

Former Wisconsin wide receiver Kendric Pryor was signed to the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad on Wednesday.

He rejoins the organization after being released during the Bengals’ extensive roster cuts before Tuesday’s deadline.

Related: Every former Wisconsin Badger to make an NFL 53-man roster entering 2024 regular season

The former Badger wideout caught one pass for 11 yards this preseason. He missed a chunk of the period with a finger injury, which surely did not help his long-shot chance at making the active roster.

The Bengals are deep at wide receiver and opted for a top group of Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Andrei Losivas, Charlie Jones, Jermaine Burton and Trenton Irwin

This will be the third time Pryor enters the season on a practice squad. He spent his rookie year in 2022 on the Jacksonville Jaguars’ unit and 2023 on the Bengals’.

 

 

Pryor was a consistent option during his five-year Wisconsin career (2017-2021). He caught 13 passes for 179 yards as a freshman in 2017 and eight for 119 in 2020 before missing most of the abbreviated season due to injury. Otherwise, Pryor recorded at least 23 catches for 270 receiving yards every season.

His best output came in 2021 — a 32-catch, 416-yard, three-touchdown campaign.

He hopes that dependability can result in a spot on the Bengals’ active 53-man roster.

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

Denver Broncos sign former Wisconsin defensive lineman to practice squad

Former Wisconsin defensive lineman signs to Denver Broncos practice squad

Former Wisconsin defensive lineman Matt Henningsen signed to the Denver Broncos practice squad on Wednesday.

This move comes after Henningsen was one of the Broncos’ numerous roster cuts on Tuesday as the team trimmed its group to the required 53 players.

Related: Every former Wisconsin Badger to make an NFL 53-man roster entering 2024 regular season

The former Badger enters his third NFL season in 2024. He’s been a solid depth option for the Broncos’ defensive line after joining the team as a sixth-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft, totaling 40 tackles, two tackles for loss, two quarterback hits and one sack in 34 games played.

His release came somewhat as a surprise given his recent production in the league. But the former Badger played more this preseason than in previous years, signaling his roster spot could be in jeopardy. The Broncos instead opted for a defensive line rotation of Zach Allen, D.J. Jones, John Franklin-Myers, Jordan Jackson, Malcolm Roach and Eyioma Uwazurike.

Henningsen is one of several former Badgers signed to NFL practice squads after roster cuts became official this week. The others are Tanner Mordecai (San Francisco 49ers), Kendric Pryor (Cincinnati Bengals) and Hayden Rucci (Miami Dolphins).

The former Badger defensive lineman will look to recapture a position on the Broncos’ two-deep as the season progresses.

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

Former Wisconsin tight end signs to Miami Dolphins practice squad

Former Wisconsin tight end signs to Miami Dolphins practice squad

Former Wisconsin tight end Hayden Rucci signed to the Miami Dolphins practice squad on Wednesday.

The Dolphins recently released Rucci while cutting their roster to the required total of 53 players. He was unable to crack the top tight end group of Jonnu Smith, Durham Smythe, Julian Hill and Tanner Conner.

Related: Every former Wisconsin Badger to make an NFL 53-man roster entering 2024 regular season

The former Badger impressed since joining the team as an undrafted free agent after the 2024 NFL draft. He put a stamp on a strong training camp by hauling in a 20-yard touchdown in the Dolphins’ preseason finale. His overall preseason stats include five receptions, 44 yards and that one touchdown.

That output was not enough for Rucci to crack the Week 1 53-man roster, but it was enough to secure him a spot on the Dolphins’ practice squad.

Rucci’s ascension is somewhat of a surprise after he wasn’t much of a receiving threat during his four-year Wisconsin career (2020-2023). He caught just 17 passes for 200 yards and one touchdown during that time, most of that production coming in 2023.

His style as a blocking-first tight end did not mesh with Phil Longo’s air raid attack. It should mesh with NFL teams, especially one like the Dolphins with a dynamic offense. Then if the former Badger develops his receiving abilities, he could find a consistent home on the active roster.

Rucci is one of three former Badger to sign with an NFL team after going undrafted in April. ILB Maema Njongmeta made the Cincinnati Bengals’ 53-man roster and QB Tanner Mordecai signed to the San Francisco 49ers practice squad.

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

Former Wisconsin quarterback signs to San Francisco 49ers practice squad

Former Wisconsin quarterback signs to San Francisco 49ers practice squad

Former Wisconsin quarterback Tanner Mordecai was signed to the San Francisco 49ers practice squad on Wednesday.

This move comes after the 49ers released Mordecai during an extensive round of roster cuts. The former Badger was unable to supplant Brandon Allen as the team’s third-string QB on the active roster, but he made a strong enough impression this offseason to remain with the organization.

Related: Every former Wisconsin Badger to make an NFL 53-man roster entering 2024 regular season

Mordecai will start on the practice squad after initially joining the 49ers as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 NFL draft.

He performed well in limited preseason action, throwing for 103 yards on 6 of 10 passing. That strong debut, paired with his top-tier athletic profile, should make him a priority for the 49ers moving forward. While he may not be NFL-ready immediately, the former Badger has the tools to help the organization down the road.

Mordecai is looking to find a stable NFL home after playing just one year for the Badgers (2023). He finished the year with 65% completion, 2,066 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions.

Those numbers came in an abbreviated season due to a broken hand suffered in Wisconsin’s Week 6 loss to Iowa. Mordecai’s 27 of 40 passing, 378-yard, three-touchdown performance in the team’s ReliaQuest Bowl loss to LSU better represents his ceiling, and what Badgers fans expected to see all season.

Mordecai is the third former Badger to sign with a team after going undrafted in April. Inside linebacker Maema Njongmeta made the Cincinnati Bengals’ 53-man roster, and tight end Hayden Rucci signed to the Miami Dolphins practice squad.

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 basketball signs Italian center Riccardo Greppi

BREAKING: Wisconsin basketball signs Italian center Riccardo Greppi

Wisconsin basketball has continued its work on the international recruiting trail.

The program announced the signing of freshman center Riccardo Greppi on Friday. Greppi will join the program from Italy, signing on for the upcoming 2024-25 season.

Related: Wisconsin basketball’s updated 2024-25 roster with Italian C Riccardo Greppi

The 6’10” center has recently played for Verona (NextGen League) and Cantu (Italy Serie A2) in his home country. He recently averaged 9.1 points and 8.6 rebounds with Verona in Italy’s U20 showcase league.

The 18-year-old freshman has also played for the Italian national team in the 2022 and 2023 U18 European Championships. He averaged 2.3 points and 3.6 rebounds on 43.8% from the floor in 2023 after marks of 2.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 50% shooting during the 2022 event.

Greppi is Wisconsin’s second international signing of the offseason, joining Serbian center Andrija Vukovic. The two signings have been the result of a clear initiative by Greg Gard and his staff to expand their recruiting footprint overseas. The two have also both addressed the same need: depth in the frontcourt.

Evan Flood of 247Sports is reporting, however, that Greppi ‘will likely take the place of Vukovic’ on Wisconsin’s roster. Flood notes that Vukovic has yet to make the trip over to the United States and is unlikely to join the program this season.

Wisconsin begins its season in nearly three months with a challenging nonconference slate that includes Arizona, Butler, Marquette and the Greenbrier Tip-Off. Steven Crowl and Nolan Winter are the team’s two leading big men, with Greppi now set to join that group.

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