The Badgers have had a mass exodus of talent head to the transfer portal over the past two weeks.
The Wisconsin Badgers have seen 25 players enter the transfer portal since it opened on December 9th, leaving a number of major holes for the program to address over the coming weeks.
Wisconsin has already made a number of additions to the portal, especially on the defensive side of the ball, but there are still some major holes to fill out given the mass exodus.
Let’s evaluate the biggest needs in the transfer portal, going position-by-position and giving a rating out of 10.
Defensive Line: 4
The Wisconsin Badgers lost a number of defensive linemen this offseason, as Curt Neal and James Thompson Jr. hit the transfer portal, while Elijah Hills is out of eligibility. But, they also added three players from the portal this past week, bringing in Tulane’s Parker Petersen, Western Michigan’s Corey Walker, and UT-Martin’s Charles Perkins.
They added three players to their 2025 class, bringing their scholarship total for the upcoming season to 10: Walker, Petersen, Perkins, Brandon Lane, Ben Barten, Jamel Howard, Dillan Johnson, Drayden Pavey, Xavier Ukponu, and Torin Pettaway.
This group seems fairly set, although defensive line help is always welcome, so another addition shouldn’t be out of the question.
Outside Linebackers: 3
The Badgers missed at outside linebacker in the transfer portal last offseason, bringing in Leon Lowery and John Pius, who struggled to be consistent during his time at Wisconsin.
Both are gone next year, and the Badgers brought in Louisville transfer Mason Reiger to serve as a good complement to Darryl Peterson next year. Wisconsin has solid younger depth at the position, as Sebastian Cheeks and Aaron Witt should be a part of the mix, assuming Witt returns for a final season.
Then comes redshirt freshman Thomas Heiberger, who was expected to play a role as a freshman before an injury. That’s five potential contributors in 2025, while the Badgers bring in three freshmen: four-star Jaylen Williams (who could move to the defensive line), four-star Nicholas Clayton, and three-star Samuel Lateju.
This is a strong group as well, and seems pretty set heading into 2025, although Wisconsin still has a number of players they showed interest in over the past two weeks in the transfer portal.
Inside Linebackers: 5
Wisconsin’s inside linebacker play wasn’t up to par in 2025, as the Badgers didn’t get consistent enough production from Jake Chaney and Jaheim Thomas.
Both players are gone, which leads Tackett Curtis and Christian Alliegro as the next guys up, while Wisconsin recently got a commitment from Western Carolina transfer Antarron Turner, who should compete for a starting job.
The Badgers have seven projected scholarship linebackers in the group with Curtis, Alliegro, Turner, Tyler Jansey, Landon Gauthier, and freshmen Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano.
But, they have no seniors and not much experience, which may mean another player being targeted in the transfer portal, bumping up the rating to a solid 5.
Cornerbacks: 10
With Xavier Lucas leaving on Thursday, there isn’t a bigger need out there for the Badgers than cornerback.
Lucas joined a slew of cornerbacks to enter the transfer portal this offseason, as Amare Snowden, Jace Arnold, Jonas Duclona, and Max Lofy are all heading elsewhere next year, while Nyzier Fourqurean and RJ Delancy are out of eligibility.
That’s seven departures for the Badgers without any players coming in, leaving them with just five projected scholarship cornerbacks for 2025: Ricardo Hallman (assuming he returns), true freshmen Omillio Agard and Jay Harper, and 2025 recruits Jahmare Washington and Cairo Skanes.
The Badgers need experience badly in this room, especially if they want depth at the position in 2025. They at least need a starting boundary cornerback, but could also be in the market for a nickel corner and reserve boundary options to round out their room.
Safeties: 6
Like at cornerback, the Badgers are losing some safety talent this offseason, as Hunter Wohler declared for the draft, while Kamo’i Latu, Braedyn Moore, and Justin Taylor entered the transfer portal.
Wisconsin is returning Preston Zachman and Austin Brown, but Raphael Dunn is the only other returning safety next year. The Badgers did bring in Richmond transfer Matthew Traynor, who should compete for a starting role, but this seems like another spot where additions could be made.
The Badgers do have several freshmen who could slot in at safety, as Grant Dean and Luke Emmerich project to the position, while athletes Jai’mier Scott and Remington Moss could end at safety as well.
But, they still need some more veteran depth, thanks to the crucial losses of Wohler and Moore.