Wisconsin Football Team’s Big Offseason Moves

MADISON – This is a significant offseason for the Wisconsin football team. The Badgers have endured two consecutive losing seasons, and to avoid a third, they need to make substantial additions through the transfer portal. They will also be saying goodbye to some players who are seeking 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 the Transfer Portal

Bryce West, Cornerback (Ohio State)

West brings potential as a four-star recruit from high school. He played 18 games for Ohio State, including three playoff games during its run to the national championship last season. This season, he 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 on January 6.

Blake Cherry, Offensive Line (Arkansas)

The 6-foot-5, 316-pound rising sophomore, who announced his commitment on X on January 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 ready to help the Badgers immediately. He started 26 games for the Sun Devils in 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 on January 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 on January 5.

Jon Jon Kamara, Linebacker (Kansas)

Kamara, who is 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, announced his commitment on X on January 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 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 on January 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 committed on January 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 committed on January 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 committed on January 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 eligibility remaining. He committed on January 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 departures of Ricardo Hallman and D’Yoni Hill, who completed their eligibility, and Geimere Latimer, who entered the transfer portal, UW needs some experience at this position. Fletcher, who committed on January 3, provides that. According to Pro Football Focus, he played 271 snaps last season, more than any returning UW cornerback 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 on January 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 on January 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 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 on January 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 January 2–16, but some players have already announced their intention to transfer.

Jamel Howard, Defensive Line

247sports reported on January 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 January 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 for UW and has three years of eligibility remaining.

Preston Zachman, Safety (Indiana)

The 6-foot-1, 212-pound graduate student missed 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 on January 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 be highly sought after for his services. ESPN reported his commitment to North Carolina on January 4.

Tucker Ashcraft, Tight End

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 was 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.

Dilin Jones, Running Back

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

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 remaining.

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

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 on Dec. 15 and has one season of eligibility remaining.

Christian Alliegro, Linebacker

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.

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

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 on 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 out 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

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.

Joseph Griffin, Receiver

Griffin announced his departure on 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.

Cade Yacamelli, Running Back

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

The native of Sydney, Australia, who announced his decision on 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.

Remington Moss, Safety

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

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

The 6-4, 234-pound outside linebacker from Shelby, Mich. announced his intention to transfer on Dec. 2. He didn’t see any game action in two years. He has three years of eligibility remaining.