Wisconsin landed a commitment from LSU transfer defensive lineman Jay’Viar Suggs on Friday.
Suggs chose the Badgers over top contenders Arkansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Oklahoma, Penn State and Tennessee. He joins the program with one year of eligibility remaining.
Related: Tracking Wisconsin football’s transfer portal offers, visits and commitments
Wisconsin was previously in the running to land Suggs during last year’s transfer cycle. He began his career at Grand Valley State (D-II), playing under then-head coach Matt Mitchell, who is now Wisconsin’s outside linebackers coach. The defensive tackle broke out in his final two seasons with the program, tallying a combined 14 1/2 tackles for loss and eight sacks.
Suggs then chose to transfer to LSU last offseason over finalists Wisconsin, Michigan and Kentucky. He appeared in 12 games for the Tigers in 2024, totaling 10 tackles, three tackles for loss, 2 1/2 sacks and two pass deflections.
BREAKING: LSU transfer DL Jay’viar Suggs has committed to Wisconsin, per @Hayesfawcett3🦡https://t.co/zupCUWylvL pic.twitter.com/u4eHx1LBna
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal_) January 3, 2025
The veteran tackle is Wisconsin’s 18th overall transfer commitment (17th scholarship player). Importantly, he’s the fifth addition at defensive tackle, joining Corey Walker (Western Michigan), Parker Petersen (Tulane), Charles Perkins (UT-Martin) and Michael Garner (Grambling State). Wisconsin prioritized the position after losing the majority of production from its 2024 unit, highlighted by the departures of Elijah Hills (eligibility) and Curt Neal (transfer to Illinois).
Suggs projects to join Walker, Petersen and returning contributor Ben Barten atop the Badgers’ defensive tackle rotation in 2025.
For more on Wisconsin’s transfer additions and remaining top targets, bookmark our 2024 transfer offer, visit and commitment tracker.
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