A transfer leads the way at tight end for the Badgers.
Spring ball has officially started for the Wisconsin Badgers, who will resume practices after spring break starting on Tuesday.
The Badgers haven’t gotten much from their tight ends over the past few years, but they brought in their biggest transfer at the position in recent memory with Ball State’s Tanner Koziol.
He joins a room that hasn’t changed much, with a number of younger players behind him.
How does the tight end room look for Wisconsin entering spring ball?
Projected Depth Chart
Starter: Tanner Koziol
Backup: Tucker Ashcraft
Third String: Grant Stec
Koziol comes in as the clear pass-catcher of the group, given his output at Ball State, where he caught 94 passes for 839 yards and eight touchdowns in 2024.
But, Wisconsin will use more two tight end sets in 2025 under Jeff Grimes, so the position will be more important, especially from a blocking perspective.
Behind Koziol, Tucker Ashcraft seems to be the clear option with Riley Nowakowski gone. Ashcraft had just 12 catches for 82 yards as a sophomore.
The No. 3 tight end is where things get interesting. Wisconsin moved Jackson Acker to tight end this offseason, and he could play in certain situations. But, Grant Stec is also getting some early reps with the backups in spring ball, and his 6’6, 255-pound frame should come in handy as an in-line tight end.
Add in Jackson McGohan, who was brought in to be more of a flexed tight end, and Wisconsin has some competition among their younger players.
Wisconsin no longer has 2024 three-star Rob Booker on the roster after a medical retirement, but there are a number of younger players still there with 2025 freshmen Emmett Bork and Nizyi Davis coming in.
Ultimately, this is still a young, inexperienced group, so Koziol will be asked to do a lot as a receiver. But, Wisconsin needs more from its tight ends after years without much production, leading to a crucial year for the position group.