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Latest Wisconsin Badgers starter entering transfer portal leaves another big hole on offense

Luke Fickell is going to have to overhaul yet another position on the Wisconsin Badgers' offense after the returning starter opted for the transfer portal instead.
Lorin Cox|
Wisconsin Badgers tight ends Lance Mason (86), Tucker Ashcraft and Jackson Acker (34) leave the field after their game Saturday, September 6, 2025 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat Middle Tennessee 42-10.
Wisconsin Badgers tight ends Lance Mason (86), Tucker Ashcraft and Jackson Acker (34) leave the field after their game Saturday, September 6, 2025 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat Middle Tennessee 42-10. | Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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The Wisconsin Badgers are going to need a whole new set of pass catchers in the transfer portal this winter.

After four different wide receivers announced their intentions to enter the portal in recent weeks, the Badgers' top returning tight end came to the same decision on Friday.

Instead of sticking around to be the No. 1 TE in 2026, Tucker Ashcraft will seek playing opportunities elsewhere.

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Ashcraft was supposed to start this past season atop the depth chart at Wisconsin, but an injury in fall camp kept him sidelined for the first five weeks.

He battled injuries throughout the season and only appeared in four games, which could allow him to claim a redshirt and keep another year of eligibility.

With seniors Lance Mason and Jackson Acker graduating, Ashcraft was set to be the team's featured tight end next fall.

His departure leaves redshirt freshman Grant Stec as their most experienced tight end returning for the fall.

Related: Luke Fickell's request for 'blind faith' not keeping Wisconsin Badgers WRs out of transfer portal

He played 200 snaps this year, according to PFF, used primarily as a blocker. He caught five passes for 52 yards.

Redshirt sophomore Jackson McGowan is also set to return, but he has played just 52 snaps of offense in two seasons with the Badgers.

Offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes features tight ends regularly in his system, so Luke Fickell will likely be forced to add some additional play-makers through the portal.

The offense is going to look a lot different next fall, with new faces coming at every skill position.

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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.

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