The Badgers have had a mass exodus of talent head to the transfer portal.
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, including two quarterbacks, but there is still much work to be done.
Let’s evaluate the biggest needs in the transfer portal, going position-by-position and giving a rating out of 10.
Quarterbacks: 6
The Wisconsin Badgers already added two quarterbacks via the transfer portal, landing Maryland’s Billy Edwards Jr. and San Diego State’s Danny O’Neil to boost the depth in the room.
Edwards is expected to start, while O’Neil’s experience as a true freshman could catapult him to the No. 2 role. Behind the duo, the Badgers have true freshman Mabrey Mettauer and 2025 four-star quarterback Carter Smith.
After adding two players, why is this group at a 5? Well, it’s still unclear whether Mettauer will stay after offensive coordinator Phil Longo was fired. He does have one year at Wisconsin under his belt, but the Badgers brought in a more-experienced option with O’Neil who has familiarity with Fickell.
If the Badgers lose Mettauer as well, they’ll definitely need another quarterback to have four in the room and ensure Smith isn’t thrown into a situation he’s not yet ready for. But, they could also go for a fifth quarterback, which head coach Luke Fickell has mentioned as the golden number at the position.
Running Backs: 3
I don’t expect many additions to this position. Wisconsin recruited three running backs in the 2024 class to step up as the leaders in the group in 2025.
Darrion Dupree is expected to be the starter, while Dilin Jones and Cade Yacamelli could be the top backs off the bench in the rotation.
Perhaps if there’s movement in the room, the Badgers could entertain another running back, but they currently have five scholarship backs for 2025: Dupree, Jones, Yacamelli, Acker, and Gideon Ituka.
Yes, Wisconsin didn’t add one more back in their 2025 recruiting class, which opens up a spot, but they could also choose to stick with their group and go hard with the 2026 recruiting class.
Wide Receivers: 6
The Badgers have lost three of their top four wideouts from a season ago, as Will Pauling and C.J. Williams entered the transfer portal, while Bryson Green is out of eligibility.
They already brought in Ohio State transfer Jayden Ballard, who could take Williams’s role on the perimeter, but the Badgers should (and seem likely to) add another wideout to their room.
Trech Kekahuna takes over in the slot, while Wisconsin also has Kyan Berry-Johnson to fill in as the No. 2 and Vinny Anthony has positional versatility. So, that position is probably filled.
But, Wisconsin should target another boundary receiver for their new quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. They’ve already scheduled official visits and have extended offers to a number of options. We’ll see who they end up bringing in.
Tight Ends: 2
The Badgers already made their splash at tight end, landing Ball State transfer Tanner Koziol, who was one of the best players at the position in college football in 2024, catching 94 passes for 839 yards and eight touchdowns.
He’ll lead the room in his final year of eligibility, and probably is the final addition for the Badgers at tight end.
Wisconsin still has a number of younger options and they added two more in their 2025 class with three-stars Nizyi Davis and Emmett Bork.
Currently, they’re projected to have eight scholarship tight ends in 2025: Koziol, Tucker Ashcraft, JT Seagraves, Jackson McGohan, Grant Stec, Rob Booker, Davis, and Bork.
Even with some movement in this room, the Badgers should be fairly set at tight end.
Offensive Line: 1
The Badgers have put together two straight five-linemen classes, indicating that high school recruiting is the way they want to go.
They are projected to lose two starters with Jack Nelson and Joe Huber moving on, but return Riley Mahlman, Jake Renfro, and Joe Brunner.
Meanwhile, Kevin Heywood is expected to step into the left tackle role, although he could be challenged by veteran tackles Leyton Nelson and Barrett Nelson. In addition, there could be an open competition at guard between JP Benzschawel and younger options such as Emerson Mandell and Collin Cubberly.
Wisconsin still has 16 scholarship offensive linemen for the 2025 season. They’re set here at the position.