All Badgers

Wisconsin Badgers LB Mason Posa says Fernando Mendoza tried to 'poach' him to Indiana after they played

After the Wisconsin played Indiana, Heisman quarterback Fernando Mendoza tried to sway Badgers freshman linebacker Mason Posa to join the Hoosiers.
Lorin Cox|
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) is sacked by Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Darryl Peterson (17) during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium.
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) is sacked by Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Darryl Peterson (17) during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. | Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

In this story:

Wisconsin BadgersIndiana Hoosiers

Game recognize game, and Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Mason Posa experienced that first hand when he faced Indiana and quarterback Fernando Mendoza this season.

The breakout freshman sacked the Heisman Trophy winner when the two teams played in Week 12, and Posa said he earned a lot of respect from Mendoza with his performance.

The Badgers linebacker told ESPN Madison that after the game, the opposing quarterback tried to recruit him to join the Hoosiers in the transfer portal.

Sign Up For the Wisconsin Daily Digest - OnSI’s Free Wisconsin Badgers Newsletter

"He came up to me after the game, talking to me about how much of a great linebacker I am," Posa said. "A little poaching, and I was like, yeah dude, 'No.' I don't need any of that right now. I'm a Badger."

Posa has been steadfast in his commitment and loyalty to Wisconsin throughout the season, despite their struggles.

He has repeatedly reaffirmed his love for the program and desire to stick around, despite efforts like those from Mendoza.

Other Badgers have been more easily swayed this winter.

Related: New Wisconsin QB Colton Joseph wants to be Badgers version of Fernando Mendoza at Indiana

Veteran safety Preston Zachman received another year of college eligibility after missing most of this season with an injury, and he committed to Indiana in the transfer portal.

Wisconsin left guard Joe Brunner has also received strong interest from the Hoosiers in the transfer portal but is still weighing his options as of Monday afternoon.

UW lost two other starting linebackers in the portal, with both Christian Alliegro and Tackett Curtis departing after the emergence of Posa as the future of the position in Madison.

The Badgers have brought in 25 outside transfers so far in addition to retaining wide receiver Eugene Hilton and defensive tackle Charles Perkins, who both announced intentionts to enter the portal.

More Wisconsin Badgers News:

Published
Lorin Cox
LORIN COX

Lorin Cox is the managing editor of Wisconsin Badgers on SI. He has been covering Badgers sports since 2014, when he was an undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin. He previously wrote for the Wisconsin State Journal, NBC Sports Chicago and USA Today Sports Media Group, and he is a former analyst for Pro Football Focus.

Home/Football