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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. - There should be no excuses now for Luke Fickell and the University of Wisconsin in 2026.

With an influx of resources and an urgency after a four-win season, the Badgers fully overhauled their roster during the open transfer portal window, adding 31 players to the roster who have the potential to have an immediate or long-term impact on the program.

UW added at least one player at every position (in more cases several power-conference players) to give Fickell more depth and more competition at key spots across the roster.

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

Last update: 1/19/26 at 1 p.m. CT

Louisville quarterback Deuce Adams

Measurables: 6-2/190
Previous School: Louisville
Eligibility Remaining: Three
Notable Stats: Adams appeared in six games in 2025, completing 15 of his 21 passes (71 percent) for 112 yards and added 14 rush attempts for 33 yards. Made his first collegiate start at SMU, finishing 12-of-17 for 94 yards along with seven rushes for 14 yards.

Defensive lineman Jake Anderson


Measurables: 6-5/295
Previous School: Illinois State
Eligibility Remaining: One
Notable Stats: Helping Illinois State reach the FCS championship game, Anderson played all 17 games and registered 52 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and four quarterback hurries.

Story: Wisconsin Badgers round out defensive line with starter who just played in FCS National Championship

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

Offensive lineman Stylz Blackmon

Measurables: 6-4/300
Previous School: Augustana
Eligibility Remaining: Two
Notable Stats: In his second full year as a starter, Blackmon was an all-conference left guard for the Vikings in 2025

Story: Wisconsin Badgers pick up all-conference offensive lineman from Division-II 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

Safety Marvin Burks Jr.

Measurables: 6-1/204
Previous School: Missouri
Eligibility Remaining: One
Notable Stats: Has started in 12 games while seeing action in all 13 this season, registering49 total tackles (27 solo), 1.5 TFL, a 28-yard interception return for a touchdown, a forced fumble and a recovery and one pass breakup.

Story: Wisconsin Badgers find Preston Zachman replacement at safety with SEC transfer Marvin Burks

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

Wide receiver Malachi Coleman

Measurables: 6-5/200
Previous School: Nebraska/Minnesota
Eligibility Remaining: Two
Notable Stats: Coleman had five catches on nine targets for 83 yards with the Gophers in 2025

Story: Wisconsin Badgers add a Gopher transfer to fill an important position of need

Defensive lineman DeNigel Cooper

Measurables: 6-3/260
Previous School: Appalachian State
Eligibility Remaining: Three
Notable Stats: Cooper finished with 23 tackles, one tackle for loss, 0.5 sacks, a pass breakup and two blocked kicks during the 2025 season.

Story: Wisconsin completes defensive line overhaul with App State rising freshman

Edge rusher Liam Danitz

Measurables: 6-5/227
Previous School: Hope College
Eligibility Remaining: One
Notable Stats: An AFCA first-team All-American, Danitz had 15 sacks, 21 tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries.

Story: Wisconsin Badgers add pass rushing track star who had 15 sacks at Division-III level

Wide receiver Jaylon Domingeaux

Measurables: 6-2/210
Previous School: SE Louisiana
Eligibility Remaining: One
Notable Stats: Domingeaux had 52 receptions for 857 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2025

Story: Wisconsin adds experience, reliable veteran to its wide receiver room

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

Running back Bryan Jackson


Measurables: 6-20/230
Previous School: USC
Eligibility Remaining: Two
Notable Stats: Jackson played in eight games last season, rushing for 123 yards and four touchdowns on 36 carries (3.4 ypc) with a long of 29. He also tallied two receptions for 17 yards.

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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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 Zion Kearney

Measurables: 6-1/207
Previous School: Oklahoma
Eligibility Remaining: Two
Notable Stats: Kearney appeared in five games on offense and special teams.

Story: Wisconsin Badgers sign 4th transfer portal wide receiver to retool weapons for Colton Joseph

Edge Jayden Loftin

Measurables: 6-4/215
Previous School: Tennessee
Eligibility Remaining: Four
Notable Stats: According to PFF, he played three snaps in one game this past season.

Story: Wisconsin Badgers land transfer portal edge rusher who ranked Top 25 in 2025 recruiting class

Running back Nate Palmer

Measurables: 6-0/190
Previous School: TCU
Eligibility Remaining: Three
Notable Stats: Palmer played in 10 games and rushed for 139 yards on 30 carries last season.

Story: Wisconsin doesn't miss a second chance to land tailback Nate Palmer

Defensive tackle Junior Poyser

Measurables: 6-1/310
Previous School: Buffalo
Eligibility Remaining: Two
Notable Stats: Appeared in all 12 games and seven starts at defensive tackle, finishing with 31 tackles, 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble on the season.

Story: Wisconsin adds high upside defensive tackle with pass rushing prowess

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

Long snapper James Roe

Measurables: 5-11/195
Previous School: Toledo
Eligibility Remaining: Two
Notable Stats: Roe has started 26 games over his collegiate career.

Story: Wisconsin Badgers land key special teams starter out of the transfer portal

Defensive lineman Hammond Russell IV

Measurables: 6-3/315
Previous School: West Virginia
Eligibility Remaining: One
Notable Stats: Russell appeared in nine games this past season for West Virginia, finishing with 13 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss and two sacks.

Story: Wisconsin adds another power-conference contributor to its remade defensive line

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

Offensive tackle Lucas Simmons

Measurables: 6-8/308
Previous School: Florida State
Eligibility Remaining: Two
Notable Stats: Simmons appeared in all 24 games the last two seasons, playing mostly on special teams in 2024 and adding work as a reserve offensive lineman last season. Simmons played on 81 offensive snaps for Florida State.).

Story: Wisconsin Badgers land coveted transfer portal left tackle with size and upside

Punter Ethan Tranel

Measurables: 6-2/200
Previous School: UW-La Crosse
Eligibility Remaining: Two
Notable Stats: Tranel averaged 41.84 yards on 51 punts, registering only four touchbacks, 18 inside the 20, and 12 over 50 yards.

Story: Wisconsin Badgers add standout in-state specialist from Division-III UW-La Crosse

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

Offensive lineman PJ Wilkins

Measurables: 6-5/340
Previous School: Charlotte/Ole Miss
Eligibility Remaining: Two
Notable Stats: Played in nine games for the Rebels, taking 185 of his 186 snaps at left guard.

Story: Veteran portal offensive lineman commits to Wisconsin Badgers from SEC school

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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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