Wisconsin Badgers scheduled to host one of the nation's top defensive freshmen

Wisconsin Badgers have added 16 players from the transfer portal but are still looking for help in the front seven.

Oklahoma State's Wendell Gregory (4) celebrates a defensive play in the second half of the college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Baylor Bears at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. | SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

MADISON, Wis. - An elite college football team can never have enough edge rushers. It's part of the reason why Wisconsin isn't content with its early haul from the transfer portal.

With open spots filling up in Wisconsin's transfer class, the Badgers are hosting former Oklahoma State freshman edge rusher Wendell Gregory on campus today, per On3's Pete Nakos.

Oklahoma State LB/EDGE Wendell Gregory is visiting Wisconsin on Wednesday, his agent @ed_waz tells @On3sports.

Coming off a trip to Texas Tech.https://t.co/jGGvpoeeYl https://t.co/lhbJbobDne

— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) January 7, 2026

Gregory was one of the few bright spots for the Cowboys defense last season. Playing all 12 games with three starts, Gregory recorded 27 tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass breakup. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound Gregory was named the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year and to the All-Big 12 third team.

Gregory earned a 68.4 run defense grade and a 77.2 pass rushing grade from Pro Football Focus, being credited with generating 32 quarterback pressures.

A transfer from South Carolina, Gregory was a four-star linebacker coming out of Marietta, Georgia, but began the transition to edge rusher while redshirting at South Carolina in 2024.

He is ranked as the No. 21 overall player and No. 4 edge in the transfer portal by On3. According to 247Sports, Gregory is considered the No. 40 overall player in the transfer portal and No. 6 edge defender.

He has three more seasons of eligibility.

Wisconsin #Badgers continue to stay active in the transfer portal. Keep up to date with info and stories on all the new transfers here ⬇️ https://t.co/F0Cp64Jxq1

— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) January 7, 2026

Head coach Luke Fickell headlined edge players as being second behind quarterbacks when he spoke about where the team’s money is prioritized, suggesting UW is looking to add multiple prospects.

Sebastian Cheeks played as much as outgoing starter Darryl Peterson last season (Cheeks played 368 snaps, Peterson 385) but didn't have the same level of production. UW coaches are equally high on Nick Clayton, who played every game last season.

Thus far, Wisconsin has landed edge rusher Justus Boone from Arkansas, where he tallied 28 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one pass breakup and three quarterback hurries in 12 games last season.

Wisconsin has been an attractive option for some of Gregory's former teammates, as cornerback Eric Fletcher, center Austin Kawecki, and receiver Shamar Rigby have all transferred to the Badgers from Oklahoma State.

More Wisconsin Badgers News:

• A look at the incoming transfer portal commits for the Wisconsin Badgers

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

• Abu Sama's biggest skill was a missing piece of Wisconsin Badgers' 2025 offense

• Social media reacts to Colton Joseph committing to the Wisconsin Badgers