The Badgers got a pair of talented defensive linemen on back-to-back days.
The Wisconsin Badgers are making a concerted effort to improve their defensive line after getting some disappointing play from their group in 2024, and that was seen quickly over the weekend with a pair of commitments from the transfer portal.
On Sunday, the Badgers picked up a commitment from Tulane defensive lineman Parker Petersen, beating out a strong list of offers, including ones from USC, Auburn, Notre Dame, and Indiana.
Seeing Red @BadgerFootball @CoachWhit_UW pic.twitter.com/E4a0RrFFV5
— Parker Petersen (@ParkerPeterse11) December 15, 2024
A 6’4, 300-pound defensive lineman, Petersen accumulated 21 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks for Tulane in 2024, while serving as a big body up the middle, tallying 13 stops as well.
The Badgers have been in search of defensive line talent after losing Curt Neal and James Thompson Jr. to the transfer portal, while top player Elijah Hills is out of eligibility. They landed their first piece in Peterson, who could quickly assume a lead role for Wisconsin up front.
Then came a commitment from Western Michigan defensive end transfer Corey Walker, who made his announcement on Monday.
As a redshirt sophomore in 2024, Walker had 38 tackles, 25 pressures, and 5.5 sacks, while recording 22 stops as a lead defender for the Broncos.
Standing at 6’5, 270 pounds, Walker brings a different body type to Wisconsin and gives the Badgers another bigger defensive lineman that they could employ in their three-down sets.
The Badgers now have a good core of players headlined by their two transfers, while others like Ben Barten, Dillan Johnson, and Ernest Willor Jr. could see their roles increase as well.
Walker and Petersen join a transfer portal group for the Badgers that is quickly coming together. Thus far, Wisconsin has five commits: Walker, Peterson, outside linebacker Mason Reiger, tight end Tanner Koziol, and quarterback Danny O’Neil.