MADISON, Wis. — The transfer portal window officially opens Monday, but Wisconsin’s football program already has had plenty of time to gain clarity on potential positions of need. The Badgers’ season ended 10 days ago, providing a timeline for players to declare their transfer intentions.
So far, 13 scholarship players have decided to transfer: quarterback Cole LaCrue, outside linebacker Leon Lowery Jr., cornerbacks Amare Snowden, Jonas Duclona and Jace Arnold, safeties Braedyn Moore and Justin Taylor, defensive linemen Curt Neal, James Thompson Jr. and Hank Weber, receivers Trech Kekahuna and Nate White and offensive lineman James Durand.
Wisconsin must fill positions at those spots and possibly others. The portal window runs from Monday to Dec. 28, though the Badgers could continue to add players after that date as long as they are already in the portal.
“You just leave no stone unturned,” Wisconsin director of recruiting Pat Lambert said. “You just know what you have to address. Going into next season, I feel like we have a good base of what we need to build on and some people that we need to bring in here.”
Here’s a position-by-position look at where things stand and whether the Badgers might seek portal help.
Quarterback
Wisconsin could use a transfer portal quarterback for a third consecutive offseason under Luke Fickell. Tyler Van Dyke has another year of eligibility remaining but is coming off a season-ending ACL tear in his right knee, and Fickell acknowledged not having a definitive timeline “makes it pretty vague” for the future.
Four other quarterbacks are in the fold as of now: Braedyn Locke, Mabrey Mettauer and incoming freshmen early enrollees Carter Smith and Landyn Locke, who also is coming off a season-ending ACL tear. Braedyn Locke generally struggled as a starter over the last nine games, while Mettauer played just 16 total snaps. Fickell said he doesn’t want to go into next season in the same type of spot with limited options. An experienced and healthy quarterback who can manage a new offense will be vital.
Running back
Wisconsin has five scholarship running backs remaining on its roster: Jackson Acker, Cade Yacamelli, Darrion Dupree, Dilin Jones and Gideon Ituka. The Badgers went into last season with seven scholarship tailbacks but have since lost Chez Mellusi and Tawee Walker. Wisconsin did not sign a running back in its 2025 class because it signed three in the 2024 class. Two of them, four-star prospects Dupree and Jones, figure to form the backbone of Wisconsin’s future at the position.
Yacamelli averaged 8.3 yards per carry but played just three offensive snaps over the last five games. It would be risky to bring in a portal player who would take snaps away from some of the younger players. The question is whether Wisconsin is comfortable with the numbers, particularly if there will be a greater emphasis on the run under new offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes.
Wide receiver
Wisconsin’s most significant transfer portal loss this offseason has been Kekahuna, who finished third on the team in catches and receiving yards as a redshirt freshman. But Wisconsin also lost White to the portal and saw 2025 slot receiver commit Cameron Miller flip to Kentucky just before signing day. That leaves nine scholarship receivers and only two in the last three recruiting classes with Kyan Berry-Johnson and Eugene Hilton Jr. There are seven scholarship upperclassmen, but the portal could be an option to add numbers and balance out the classes.
Tight end
Wisconsin should be set in terms of bodies. The issue is whether it can find better production. Tucker Ashcraft, JT Seagreaves and Jackson McGohan are upperclassmen. Rob Booker II and Grant Stec will be redshirt freshmen, and Nizyi Davis and Emmett Bork are incoming freshmen. Ashcraft caught 12 passes for 82 yards and a touchdown, while Seagreaves and McGohan combined for five catches. Wisconsin likely will use more tight ends next season out of heavier personnel sets.
Offensive line
The Badgers still have a full offensive line group, even with Durand’s decision to transfer. Wisconsin signed 10 scholarship offensive linemen in the past two recruiting classes. But this will be a veteran-heavy line. Center Jake Renfro and right tackle Riley Mahlman both have announced they will return for another season. Joe Brunner, JP Benzschawel and sophomore Kevin Heywood could be the other three starters.
Defensive line
You’d better believe Wisconsin is going to add along the defensive line from the transfer portal. Wisconsin has lost three defensive linemen to the portal this offseason: Thompson, Neal and Weber. Thompson started 18 career games but missed most of the season with a torn pectoral muscle. Neal was a regular starter last season, while Weber redshirted.
Wisconsin has three incoming freshmen but needs more depth and experience. Wisconsin’s first known portal offer this offseason went to defensive end Langden Kitchen, a third-team all-conference defensive end at Division II Northwest Missouri State. The challenge for Wisconsin is that every other team is looking for help on the defensive line and options could be limited. Wisconsin brought in two FCS-level players to help fill the void last offseason in Hills and Brandon Lane.
Inside linebacker
This is one of the few positions in which the Badgers haven’t lost anyone to the portal this offseason, but they figure to try to upgrade here if there’s a match with an experienced player. Wisconsin has six scholarship inside linebackers, including Christian Alliegro and Tackett Curtis, who combined for 93 tackles.
Tyler Jansey didn’t crack the rotation but could be ready for a bigger role next season. Walk-on Garrison Solliday is another option. Landon Gauthier returns, and two incoming freshmen with big potential are Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano. Posa is one of the most exciting players in the 2025 class, and Catalano is the state of Wisconsin’s all-time tackling leader in high school.
Outside linebacker
The Badgers didn’t get enough playmaking out of the position during the season but have several options, even with John Pius using up his eligibility and Lowery transferring. Aaron Witt could return for another season, and Darryl Peterson and Sebastian Cheeks are other upperclassmen. There is good young talent with Thomas Heiberger, Anelu Lafaele and Ernest Willor Jr., who could play either outside linebacker or along the defensive line. Wisconsin also signed three outside linebackers in the class, including four-star prospect Jaylen Williams, whose 6-foot-6 frame makes him a candidate to fill the bigger-bodied boundary side spot.
Cornerback
Considering Wisconsin lost three cornerbacks to the transfer portal in addition to senior class departures, this is a position at which the Badgers need portal help. Ricardo Hallman has a decision to make about his NFL future, and Max Lofy has another year of eligibility remaining if he chooses to use it. The only other cornerback on the roster with any playing experience is Xavier Lucas, who played 203 snaps in his freshman season.
Safety
Wisconsin’s safety unit suffered a blow with the transfer departures of Moore and Taylor. Austin Brown is set to be a key player at the position, and Preston Zachman could be an option as well if he should return. But experience otherwise is thin, with four safeties from the past two recruiting classes.
Special teams
Wisconsin returns a pair of special teamers on scholarships with punter Atticus Bertrams and Nathanial Vakos. Bertrams was one of the team’s standouts as a sophomore, increasing his punting average from 41.3 yards to 45.3 yards. Vakos struggled and made 12 of 19 field goals, including just 6 of 13 from 30-49 yards.
(Photo of Luke Fickell: Jeff Hanisch / Imagn Images)
