The Badgers got a major playmaker at safety via the transfer portal on Thursday.
One day after hosting him on an official visit, the Wisconsin Badgers secured a commitment from Bethel College transfer safety Matt Jung on Thursday, he announced.
Committed @BadgerFootball pic.twitter.com/DhA7ovOmSi
— Matt Jung (@Mattkj06) December 19, 2024
Jung, a 6’3, 215-pound redshirt safety, was originally from Neenah, Wisconsin, and had spent the first two years of his collegiate career at D-III Bethel College in Minnesota, where he broke out as a key starter in 2024.
As a sophomore, Jung had 109 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, nine interceptions, four pick-sixes 2.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles in a monster year.
That came after a freshman campaign where the safety was nearly as productive, posting 72 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, seven interceptions, two pick-sixes, one sack, and one forced fumble.
The sophomore was planning to make other visits later this week before reaching a decision, but ultimately decided to transfer to Wisconsin after his official visit on Wednesday, providing the Badgers with some key depth at the position.
Wisconsin had lost a number of safeties this offseason, as Hunter Wohler declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, while Kamo’i Latu, Braedyn Moore, and Justin Taylor all entered the transfer portal.
That left only three returners with Austin Brown, Preston Zachman, and freshman Raphael Dunn, creating a need for experience at the position.
Wisconsin went out and got Richmond safety Matthew Traynor from the transfer portal earlier this week, but weren’t done yet. Now, they brought Jung into the fold, giving them four quality options to play with in 2024, although Brown may see more of a nickel role in 2025.
The Badgers safety room appears set with Brown, Zachman, Dunn, Traynor, Jung, and freshmen Grant Dean and Luke Emmerich now, while other options could rotate in and out of the position.