MADISON – This is a big offseason for the Wisconsin football team.
The Badgers have suffered two straight losing seasons. In order to avoid a third, the team is going to need to make some major acquisitions through the transfer portal. They will also say goodbye to some players who are in search of more playing time or a fresh start.
Here is our running list of who is coming and going for the Badgers.
Players coming to Wisconsin from transfer portal
Eli Adams, receiver (Louisville)
The 6-2, 190-pound redshirt sophomore is the brother of newly signing Badgers quarterback Deuce Adams. He didn’t have any catches at Louisville.
Stylz Blackmon, offensive line (Augustana)
Blackmon makes the jump from the Division II ranks after earning first-team all-conference and second team all-region distinction with the Vikings this season. He has 21 starts in two seasons and in 2025 made 11 starts, three at center and eight at left guard. He has two years of eligibility remaining plus a redshirt season. He announced his commitment Jan. 19.
Zion Kearney, receiver (Oklahoma)
The 6-foot-1 207-pound former four-star recruit comes to the Badgers with two years of eligiblity left. He caught eight passes for 128 yards with the Sooners as a freshman. This season he caught two passes for 31 yards and appeared in just five games as a sophomore. On3 reported his commitment Jan. 18.
Ethan Tranel, punter (UW-La Crosse)
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound rising junior calls Mount Horeb home. He was a two-year starter for La Crosse who had averages of 40.1 yards per punt in 2024 and 41.8 in 2025. Eighteen of his 51 points were downed inside the 20-yard-line and 12 went over 50 yards. He announced his commitment Jan. 17.
DeNigel Cooper, defensive line (Appalachian State)
Cooper, who committed Jan. 16, was a good find late in the portal. The 6-foot-3, 260-pound started in six of 13 games this season as a redshirt freshman and played almost 400 snaps for the Mountaineers. He finished with 24 tackles that included nine solo stops.
Liam Danitz, outside linebacker (Hope College)
Danitz is the rare athlete who can make the jump from Division III to Division I. The 6-foot-5, 227-pound defender is also a track standout who runs the 100 meters in 10.55 seconds and the 200 in 20.92. Combine those physical tools with high production – he registered 46 tackles in 2025 that included 25 solo stops, 21 tackles for a loss and 15 sacks – and you have someone who merits a look at this level. 247sports reported his commitment Jan. 15.
James Roe, long snapper (Toledo)
The 6-0, 215-pound rising junior announced his commitment Jan. 13. He played at Toledo in 2024 and ’25 and arrives in Madison wit 26 games of experience.
Malachi Coleman, receiver (Minnesota)
Coleman comes to town with 13 career catches for 222 yards and one touchdown. He spent one season with the Gophers. He played at Nebraska in 2023 and ’24,. He made six starts and caught eight passes for 139 yards and a touchdown as a true freshman and redshirt the following season. He was a four-star prospect in high school who was ranked among the top 65 nationally by 247sports and Rivals.
Jayden Loftin, outside linebacker (Tennessee)
The Badgers got to know Loftin on the recruiting trail when they offered the 6-foot-4, 253-pound prospect a scholarship while he attended Somerville High School in New Jersey. He took a redshirt year at Tennessee, which leaves him with four years of eligibility left. His addition essentially gives the Badgers another four-star prospect for their 2025 recruiting class.
Jake Anderson, defensive line (Illinois State)
Anderson (6-5, 295) comes to UW for his final season of eligiability. He was an honorable mention all-conference selection in the Missouri Valley Football Conference in 2025. He finished the season with 52 tackles that included 7 ½ tackles for a loss and three sacks to help the Redbirds to a runner-up finish in the FCS playoffs. He signed with UW on Jan. 9.
Deuce Adams, quarterback (Louisville)
Adams, who is 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, comes to the Badgers after a redshirt freshman season at Louisville when he completed 15 of 21 passes for 112 yards. He was a three-star prospect coming out of Vandegrift High School in Austin, Tex.
Nate Palmer, running back (TCU)
The Badgers got to know Palmer during the 2024 recruiting cycle when they offered him a scholarship. Two years later he’ll join the program as a redshirt sophomore. This season the former three-star prospect ran for 139 yards in 30 carries, a 4.6-yard average.
Hammond Russell IV, defensive line (West Virginia)
Russell, a 6-3, 312-pound native of Columbus, Ohio, comes to UW with 36 games of experience. Nine came this season when he finished with 13 tackles, six solo, with 2 1/2 tackles for a loss and two sacks. He has one year of eligibility left.
Marvin Burks Jr, safety (Missouri)
The Badgers got themselves a potential starting safety in Burks, who started 24 games for the Tigers the past two sesaons. The 6-1, 207-pound defensive back from St. Louis has 39 games and 131 tackles in his career. He has one year of eligibility remaining. 247sports reported his commitment on Jan. 7.
PJ Wilkins, offensive line (Mississippi)
Wilkins (6-5, 340) started the first two games of the season and played in every other contest for the Rebels before entering the transfer portal following their College Football Playoff quarterfinal win over Georgia Jan. 1. Wilkins, who announced his commitment on X on Jan. 7, has two years of eligibility left.
Bryan Jackson, running back (USC)
The 6-0, 230-pound rising junior ranked fifth on the Trojans this season with 123 yards in 36 carries, an average of 3.4 yards per attempt. The former 4-star recruit has 311 career rushing yards and five touchdowns. His agent shared news of his commitment with On3.
Lucas Simmons, tackle (Florida State)
The 6-8, 308-pound tackle is a former 4-star recruit who has 24 games of experience though most of it has come as a special teams player. He is the third offensive lineman UW has added but the first tackle. He announced his commitment Jan. 7 on Instagram.
Jaylon Domingeaux, receiver (Southeastern Louisiana)
The 6-2, 210-pound rising senior caught 52 passes for 857 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. That is 16.5 yards per catch and a touchdown every 4.7 receptions. He was a second-team all-conference pick in the Southland Conference. He arrives in the Big Ten with these career numbers: 106 catches, 1,512 yards and 14 touchdowns. He announced his commitment on X Jan. 7.
Junior Poyser, defensive line (Buffalo)
Adding Poyser, who announced his commitment Jan. 6, begins to fill a critical need for the Badgers. The 6-1, 310-pound defensive tackle netted third team all-league distinction in the Mid-American Conference. He started seven games this season and played in 12 overall, finishing ith 31 tackles that included 5 ½ sacks.
Bryce West, cornerback (Ohio State)
In West the Badgers get a young player who had enough potential to be considered a four-star recruit coming out of high school. He played 18 games for Ohio State, including three playoff games during its run to the national championship last season. This season West played 13 of 14 games and finished with 10 tackles. Ohio State listed him as 5-foot-11 and 197 pounds. He has three years of eligibility remaining. On3 announced his commitment Jan. 6.
Blake Cherry, offensive line (Arkansas)
The 6-foot-5, 316-pound rising sophomore, who announced his commitment on X Jan. 6, played guard for the Razorbacks. He was the top backup to second team all-Southeastern Conference Fernando Carmona and received the bulk of his playing time on special teams.
Javan Robinson, cornerback (Arizona State)
The 5-11, 180-pound defensive back appears to be ready to help the Badgers immediately. He started 26 games for the Sun Devils the past two seasons, including a Big 12 championship game and a College Football playoff game during the 2024 campaign. This season he played in 12 regular-season games and finished with 42 tackles. He had three interceptions in 2024. CBS Sports and On3 reported his commitment Jan. 5.
Cai Bates, cornerback (Florida State)
The 6-2, 190-pound rising redshirt sophomore played in 10 games with the Seminoles, three as a freshman in what ended up being a redshirt year and seven in 2025 when he was a reserve and special teams player for a team that finished 5-7. Most of his work has come on special teams so far, but as a former four-star prospect he is an intriguing talent who could end up being a major find. He announced his commitment Jan. 5.
Jon Jon Kamara, linebacker (Kansas)
Kamara, who is 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, announced his commitment on X on Jan. 4. He started three times as a freshman and played in all 12 games for the Jayhawks in 2025. He finished with 13 tackles, five solos, with 1 ½ tackles for a loss and a ½ sack while playing 238 snaps. According to Pro Football Focus that was the third highest play total among the position group.
Shamar Rigby, receiver (Oklahoma State)
Rigby ranked third on Oklahoma State in catches (25) and receiving yards (351) but he led all Cowboys receivers with at least 10 catches in yards per catch (14.04). He started the final nine games. Rigby played his freshman season at Purdue, where he caught 11 passes for 113 yards in 2024. One of those catches (for 4 yards) came in a 52-6 loss to Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium. He committed Jan. 4.
Justus Boone, outside linebacker (Arkansas)
He started three games and played in 12 contests for the Razorbacks this season. He finished with 28 tackles, 1 ½ tackles for a loss that included one sack and three quarterback hurries. He started his career at Florida where his development was slowed by an ACL injury he suffered during fall camp of the 2023 season when he was on track to start at defensive end. He returned to action for the Gators in 2024 but was limited to 138 snaps. He played three times as many snaps on defense in 2025 (445). He commited Jan. 4
Austin Kawecki, center (Oklahoma State)
Kawecki comes to Wisconsin after playing 25 games for Oklahoma State since 2022. He started every game this past season, opening the year at right guard and then playing the next 10 at center. He didn’t play in the final game due to injury. He played 710 snaps this season, according to Pro Football Focus. In high school he was recruited by Baylor when Badgers offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes and new UW offensive line coach Eric Mateos were coaching in that program. He commited Jan. 4.
Ryan Schwendeman, tight end (Southern Illinois)
Schwedeman follows in the footsteps of Lance Mason, who made the jump from the FCS ranks to the Big Ten in 2025. Schwedeman caught 15 passes for 191 yards, a 12.7-yard average, and two touchdowns in nine games this season. His career numbers are 28 catches, 327 yards and four touchdowns. He averages 11.7 yards per catch. He has two years of eligibility remaining. He commited Jan. 4.
Colton Joseph, quarterback (Old Dominion)
The Badgers took care of their biggest need this portal season with the addition of Joseph, who was named the Sun Belt offensive player of the year and ranks eighth in FBS with an average of 302.6 yards total per game. In 2025 Joseph completed 59.7% of his passes (173 of 290) for 2,624 yards, 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. As a runner, he gained 1,007 yards in 158 carries, a 6.4-yard average, and scored 13 times. The 6-2, 200-pound player comes to Wisconsin with 21 games of experience, 5,905 total yards and two years of eligibilty remaining. He committed Jan. 4.
Eric Fletcher, cornerback (Oklahoma State)
Fletcher (6-1, 180) played in each of the Cowboys’ 12 games. He recorded 11 tackles that included 1 ½ stops for a loss. He also broke up three passes. With the depatures of Ricardo Hallman and D’Yoni Hill, who completed their eligbility, and Geimere Latimer, who entered the transfer portal, UW needs some experience at this position. Fletcher, who committed Jan. 3, provides that. According to Pro Fooball Focus, he played 271 snaps last season, more than any returning UW corrnerback except rising redshirt sophomore Omillio Agard. .
Abu Sama III, running back (Iowa State)
The 5-foot-11, 210-pound running back comes to UW with 38 games of experience, 1,933 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. He committed to UW Jan. 3 and has one season of eligibility remaining. He ranked second on the Cyclones in rushing attempts (140) and yards (732) and was third with five touchdowns. His best game was a 24-carry, 177-yard performance in a 24-17 loss to Colorado Oct. 11. The Badgers return two of their top three rushers, but the team needed more depth at the position. Adding a proven veteran should help.
Jacob Harris, tight end (Bowling Green)
Harris, who is 6-4 and 255 pounds and played his first three seasons with the Falcons, committed to UW Jan. 3. He caught 19 passes for 182 yards and a team-high five touchdowns last season,. He comes from a tight end-friendly offense that also produced a 37-catch player at the position. By adding Harris, the Badgers address a position weakened by the departures of Lance Mason (completed eligibility) and Tucker Ashcraft (transfer portal). Harris redshirt in 2023, which gives him has two years of eligibility remaining.
Carson Van Dinter, safety (Iowa State)
The 6-3, 210-pound safety from Kaukauna brings some experience to a position that returns only one experienced upperclassman. He played in 11 of 12 games or the Cyclones in 2025. That encompassed 180 snaps and one start on defense. He finished with 18 tackles, 11 solos, and broke up one pass. He announced his commitment Jan. 3, making him the first transfer portal recruit of the cycle to announce his commitment to the Badgers.
Wisconsin Badgers entering the transfer portal
The transfer portal for football is open from Jan. 2-16, but some players have already announced their intention to transfer. He didn’t see any game action in 2024 and appeared in five game in 2025,
Leyton Nelson, offensive line
The former Vanderbilt transfer spent two seasons with the Badgers. He didn’t play in any games in 2024 and in 2025 played in five cotests, mostly on special teams. He announced his entrance into the transfer portal Jan. 16.
Deed Capper, long snapper (Virginia Tech).
The redshirt freshman from Homestead High School in Mequon didn’t appear in a game in 2024 or ’25. He has three years of eligibility remaining. He announced that he was in the portal Jan. 15. Virginia Tech announced his signing Jan. 21.
Omillio Agard, defensive back (Virginia)
Agard was the only Badgers defensive back with significant experience who didn’t complete his eligibility this season. He was thrust into a key role after Nyzier Fourqurean lost his NCAA appeal to play this season. Agard started three games and played in 11 of 12. He finished with 21 tackles, 16 solo, with one interception. He split time with senior D’Yoni Hill for most of the season and started against Iowa, Ohio State and Oregon when Hill was out due to injury. On3 reported his depature Jan. 12. Virginia announced his signing on Jan. 17.
Joe Brunner, offensive line (Indiana)
The Whitefish Bay native leaves UW after his best season in a Badgers uniform. He received honorable mention on the All-Big Ten team and closed the season with his 24th straight start at left guard. He committed to the Hoosiers Jan. 14.
Jamel Howard, defensive line (Connecticut)
247sports reported on Jan. 2 that the Chicago native’s name is in the portal. The former three-star recruit, who is 6-2, 311 pounds, appeared in one game this season. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
Ernest Willor, outside linebacker
247sports reported Jan. 2 that Willor’s name is in the portal. He began his career as a defensive lineman but was moved to outside linebacker during the 2024 fall camp. Willor (6-4, 250) didn’t appear in a game fo UW and has three years of eligibility remaining.
Preston Zachman, safety (Indiana)
The 6-foot-1, 212-pound graduate student misseed the final nine games of 2025 due to a leg injury. He finished with 12 tackles, nine solos, and tied for the team high with two interceptions. Both of those turnovers came in the second half of the season opener against Miami (Ohio) and helped UW close out a 17-0 victory. He started 20 games for UW and played 35 overall. On3 reported his commitment to the Hoosiers Jan. 4.
Billy Edwards, quarterback (North Carolina)
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Monday Dec. 29 that the veteran quarterback plans to enter the transfer portal in search of a team to play his sixth season. Edwards suffered a grade 3 PCL strain to his left knee injury in the season opener versus Miami (Ohio) Aug. 28 that limited him to two games and 34 snaps this season, but he is expected to recover well before spring practice. He is in line to receive a medical redshirt and should highly sought after for his services. ESPN reported his commitment to North Carolina Jan. 4.
Tucker Ashcraft, tight end (USC)
A left leg injury suffered late in fall camp hobbled Ashcraft for most of the season, limiting him to four games. He made two catches for 10 yards in 2025, but before the injury he wss the Badgers’ co-No. 1 tight end with Lance Mason, who went on to receive all-Big Ten recognition. On Dec. 26 Ashcraft’s agent told On3 that he intends to enter the portal. He has two years of eligibility remaining. USC announced his signing Jan. 15.
Dilin Jones, running back (LSU)
The redshirt freshman started the first seven games, but missed the final five due to a turf toe injury that required surgery. He finished second on the team with 300 rushing yards, averaged 3.9 yards per carry and scored two touchdowns. His longest run of the season was 16 yards, but most of his work came during a stretch of the season when the offensive line’s struggles were their worst.
Eugene HIlton Jr., receiver (Never mind, he’s back)
Hilton, the son of former NFL Pro Bowl receiver TY Hilton, played in every game this season and according to Pro Football Focus ranked fifth among receivers in snaps played. He caught eight passes for 91 yards with his long of 42 yards coming against Oregon. He has three years of eligibility reamining.
Geimere Latimer, defensive back (West Virginia)
Geimere Latimer, a junior defensive back who was the Badgers’ top nickel corner, told On3 on Dec. 16 that he plans to enter the transfer portal. Latimer is the older brother of Amari Latimer, a four-star prospect,who was Wisconsin’s highest ranked recruit for 2026 until he flipped his commitment to West Virginia on signing day. Geimere Latimer played his first two seasons at Jacksonville State. This season at UW he played in every game and finished with 28 tackles, 17 solos, with one forced fumble. He ranked sixth on the team in defensive snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
Antarron Turner, linebacker (Colorado State)
Turner signed with UW as a transfer from Western Carolina last December. He worked a lot with the second team during spring practice but didn’t appear in any games this season. He announced his decision to transfer Dec. 15 and has one season of eligibility remaining.
Christian Alliegro, linebacker (Ohio State)
Alliegro finished third on the team with 53 tackles and second in tackles for a loss (eight). He played in 10 games and was UW’s leading tackler before missing two games due to a broken arm. When he returned he was part of a four-man rotation at linebacker with Mason Posa, Cooper Catalano and Thomas Heiberger. ESPN first reported his departure. He has one season of eligibility remaining. He committed to Ohio State Jan. 8.
Jake Renfro, center (Illinois)
When the sixth-year senior played, he played well but his season was limited to four games due to leg/ankle injuries. He missed the final four games. On Dec. 11 he announced his plans to enter the portal and seek a medical redshirt that will allow him to play next season.
Angel Toombs, outside linebacker (Jacksonville State)
The Milwaukee King grad, who is 6-5 and 260, walked on to the program in 2023. He didn’t appear in any games and has three years of eligibility remaining. He announced his departure Dec. 11.
Trech Kekahuna, receiver (North Carolina)
Kekahuna’s agent told On3 on Dec. 10 that the redshirt sophomore intends to transfer. Kekahuna’s big-play potential was never consistently unlocked by the Badgers. That was especially the case in 2025 when the offense finished its season ranked 133 our of 134 teams. His 26 catches were one more than last season but with 221 yards, his average yards per catch dropped to 8.1 yards compared to 13.6. He also ranked fourth on the Badgers with 129 rushing yards in 14 carries, an average of 9.2 yards per attempt.
Tackett Curtis, linebacker (Central Florida)
On3 reported Dec. 9 that Curtis informed it that he will enter the transfer portal. Curtis started the first seven games this season but saw little playing time on defense after the emergence of freshmen Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano. Most of Curtis’ snaps came on special teams during the final five games. He played in 24 games at UW and finished this season with 29 tackles that included 15 solo stops and one tackle for a loss. He has one year of eligibility remaining. UCF announced his signing on Jan. 6.
Joseph Griffin, receiver (Massachusetts)
Griffin announced his departure Dec. 9. He sat out the 2024 season, per NCAA transfer rules, and missed the final seven games of ’25 due to injury. The 6-4, 210-pound receiver caught one pass for 5 yards this season, but he showed the ability to be a quality red zone/jump ball threat during spring practice and fall camp and made 43 catches for 579 yards during his two seasons at Boston College. He has one year of eligibility remaining. He announced his commitment to UMass on Jan. 17.
Cade Yacamelli, running back (Miami, Ohio)
The backfield was crowded this season and with the Badgers’ top three rushers expected to return in 2026 it will be hard for a fourth back to get carries. Yacamelli’s 38 carries this season were a career high. He finished fifth on the team with 128 rushing yards. He had 571 rushing yards and averaged 5.3 yards per carry in three seasons at UW. Yacameilli, who announced his decision on Dec. 9, has one year of eligibility remaining.
Atticus Bertrams, punter (Central Florida)
The native of Sydney, Australia, who announced his decision Dec. 6, was the Badgers’ starting punter in 2023 and ’24 and started the first half of the ’25 season before redshirt freshman Sean West took over. During the second half of the season Bertrams was called on to punt near midfield where his touch and ability to pin opponents inside the 20 proved valuable. This season 18 of his 37 punts were downed inside the 20. UCF announced his signing on Jan. 8.
Remington Moss, safety (Elon)
Moss, a cousin of former Badgers star running back Brent Moss, redshirt this season. The 6-1, 194-pound defensive back who hails from Dumfries, Va., has four years of eligibility remaining. He announced his decision on Dec. 4.
Kyan Berry-Johnson, receiver (Sam Houston)
The former four-star recruit never found his way on the field for the Badgers. The 5-10, 186-pound graduate of Bollingbrook High School near Chicago played five games for UW but didn’t have a catch. He has three years of eligibility remaining. He announced his decision on Dec. 4.
Cody Raymond, outside linebacker (Ohio)
The 6-4, 234-pound outside linebacker from Shelby, Mich. announced his intention to transfer Dec. 2. He didn’t see any game action in two years. He has three years of eligibility remaining.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin football transfer portal tracker: Offensive lineman from Division II Augustana commits
Reporting by Mark Stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
