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Transfer Portal 2026: Incoming Wisconsin Badgers commits

Keep up to date with all the players who have committed to the Wisconsin Badgers in the transfer portal
Benjamin Worgull|
Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell is shown during the third quarter of the game against Middle Tennessee Saturday, September 6, 2025 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell is shown during the third quarter of the game against Middle Tennessee Saturday, September 6, 2025 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. | Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Wisconsin Badgers

MADISON, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin watched as 20 of its players announced they were leaving the program in search of more playing time, better opportunities, or better NIL deals.

This weekend, it was finally the Badgers turn, and Luke Fickell and his staff got to work.

With the opening of the transfer portal on Friday and hosting multiple official visitors, the Badgers landed commitments from 10 players from the transfer portal on the weekend, added two cornerbacks on Monday, and got a familiar face to new Wisconsin offensive line coach Eric Mateos on Tuesday, still having multiple more spots available.

It's still early in the process (the portal closes on Jan.16), but Wisconsin has already put together a transfer portal class that ranks in the top five.

If you missed any of the news over the weekend, the team at Badgers on SI has you covered.

Last update: 1/6/26 at 12 p.m. CT

Cornerback Cai Bates

Measurables: 6-4/190
Previous School: Florida State
Eligibility Remaining: Three
Notable Stats: Appeared in seven games as reserve defense back and on special teams

Story: Wisconsin Badgers continue rebuilding secondary, adding former 4-star CB from Florida State in transfer portal

Edge Rusher Justus Boone

Measurables: 6-4/278
Previous School: Florida/Arkansas
Eligibility Remaining: One
Notable Stats: Saw action in 12 games with three starts last season, tallying 28 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one pass breakup and three quarterback hurries

Story: Wisconsin Badgers sign former 4-star SEC edge rusher in transfer portal

Offensive lineman Blake Cherry

Measurables: 6-5/316
Previous School: Arkansas
Eligibility Remaining: Three
Notable Stats: Appeared in all 12 games

Story: Wisconsin offensive line coach Eric Mateos lands a familiar face in the transfer portal

Cornerback Eric Fletcher

Measurables: 6-1/180
Previous School: East Carolina/Oklahoma State
Eligibility Remaining: Three
Notable Stats: Fletcher didn't miss a tackle on the season and finished with a 68.3 defensive grade, per PFF. He made 11 tackles and broke up three passes.

Story: New Wisconsin Badgers cornerbacks coach picks up intriguing young transfer CB

Related: Wisconsin Badgers makes top three for former Big 12 cornerback

Tight End Jacob Harris

Measurables: 6-4/255
Previous School: Bowling Green
Eligibility Remaining: Two
Notable Stats: Appeared in all 12 games, starting in three of them last season. He finished with 19 catches, 182 yards and five touchdowns on the year.

Story: Wisconsin Badgers land transfer tight end who fits perfectly in Jeff Grimes' system

Quarterback Colton Joseph

Measurables: 6-2/200
Previous School: Old Dominion
Eligibility Remaining: Two
Notable Stats: Joseph was named the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year, completed 60 percent of his passes for 2,624 yards and 21 touchdowns to 10 interceptions while running for 1,007 yards and 13 scores.

Stories

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How Colton Joseph compares to other recent Wisconsin Badgers transfer portal QBs

Social media reacts to Colton Joseph committing to the Wisconsin Badgers


Four things to know about new Wisconsin Badgers transfer quarterback Colton Joseph

Four returning Wisconsin Badgers who will be impacted by Colton Joseph's commitment

Inside Linebacker Jon Jon Kamara

Measurables: 6-4/230
Previous School: Kansas
Eligibility Remaining: Three
Notable Stats: Played in all 12 games, starting three at linebacker. He totaled 13 tackles (5 solo, 8 assisted) on the season, along with 1.5 tackles-for-loss, and an assisted sack.

Story: Wisconsin Badgers land rising Big 12 linebacker in the transfer portal

Center Austin Kawecki

Measurables: 6-4/300
Previous School: Oklahoma State
Eligibility Remaining: One
Notable Stats: Kawecki started 10 games at center (658 snaps) and one at right guard (52 snaps) this past season.

Story: Wisconsin Badgers land new center from Big 12 for transfer QB Colton Joseph

Wide receiver Shamar Rigby

Measurables: 6-3/190
Previous School: Purdue/Oklahoma State
Eligibility Remaining: Two
Notable Stats: Rigby finished with 25 catches for 351 yards and a touchdown in 2025, including three games with 50 or more receiving yards. He didn't register a drop on 42 targets.

Story: Wisconsin Badgers add big-bodied wide receiver for new QB Colton Joseph in transfer portal

Cornerback Javan Robinson


Measurables: 5-11/180
Previous School: Washington State/Arizona State
Eligibility Remaining: One
Notable Stats: Robinson had 42 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and eight pass breakups in 2025.

Story: Wisconsin Badgers add productive Big 12 cornerback with two years starting experience

Running back Abu Sama

Measurables: 5-11/210
Previous School: Iowa State
Eligibility Remaining: One
Notable Stats: Sama rushed 140 times for 732 yards and five touchdowns during the 2025 season. Over his three seasons with Iowa State, he accumulated 1,933 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns while averaging 5.6 yards per carry.

Story: Wisconsin Badgers earn commitment from elite transfer portal running back

Tight end Ryan Schwendeman

Measurables: 6-5/245
Previous School: Southern Illinois
Eligibility Remaining: Two
Notable Stats: 15 receptions for 191 yards and two touchdowns in 2025.

Story: Wisconsin Badgers fill out tight end room with highly touted transfer

Safety Carson Van Dinter

Measurables: 6-3/210
Previous School: Iowa State
Eligibility Remaining: Three
Notable Stats: Saw action in 11 games. Registered 18 tackles, one pass breakup and a half tackle for loss.

Story: Wisconsin Badgers first transfer portal addition of 2026 is former in-state safety from Iowa State

Cornerback Bryce West

Measurables: 5-11/200
Previous School: Ohio State
Eligibility Remaining: Three
Notable Stats: He logged 91 defensive snaps, with 58 of those coming at the nickel position. He played 13 games and had nine tackles.

Story: Wisconsin Badgers steal cornerback transfer from one of the Big Ten's best

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Benjamin Worgull
BENJAMIN WORGULL

Benjamin Worgull has covered Wisconsin men's basketball since 2004, having previously written for Rivals, USA Today, 247sports, Fox Sports, the Associated Press, the Janesville Gazette, and the Wisconsin State Journal.

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