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Wisconsin Badgers steal cornerback transfer from Big Ten rival

The Badgers are stockpiling talent at the cornerback position after losing its top to CBs from 2025
Cam Wilhorn|
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Garrett Stover (23) celebrates a tackle by cornerback Bryce West (12) on a kickoff during the NCAA football game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign on Oct. 11, 2025. Ohio State won 34-16.
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Garrett Stover (23) celebrates a tackle by cornerback Bryce West (12) on a kickoff during the NCAA football game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign on Oct. 11, 2025. Ohio State won 34-16. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Wisconsin Badgers

Wisconsin announced Robert Steeples as its new cornerbacks coach 10 days before the transfer portal opened.

With the way he's attacked the portal so far, it feels like he's been at Wisconsin for years.

The former Iowa State and LSU assistant has wasted no time showing his recruiting chops, having brought in a mixture of promising young CBs and immediate-impact players.

He received his fourth commitment in as many days on Tuesday morning, landing a pledge from Ohio State transfer Bryce West.

Wisconsin Badgers land Ohio State CB Bryce West

West, after redshirting the 2024 season, played a minor role in the Buckeyes' secondary during the 2025 campaign. He logged 91 defensive snaps, with 58 of those coming at the nickel position.

In his limited playing time last season, West made nine tackles, six of which were solo tackles. He had two pass breakups in 2024.

While he's Wisconsin's fourth commit at the position, West's experience in the slot gives him a leg up on the competition for the Badgers starting nickelback spot in 2026.

Wisconsin had three players with significant experience at nickel last season: Geimer Latimer, Austin Brown and Owen Arnett. Latimer has transferred to West Virginia, and both Brown and Arnett graduated.

As the only new cornerback with experience at nickel, it's not a stretch to call West the frontrunner for the starting gig in 2026. There's plenty of time left in the transfer portal window and Wisconsin will have to try new players out in the slot for depth purposes, but West is the first and most obvious answer currently.

West is now one of five Badgers corners with three years of eligibility remaining, joining returners Omillio Agard and Cairo Skanes, as well as transfer Eric Fletcher (Oklahoma State) and Cai Bates (Florida State).

Senior Arizona State transfer Javan Robinson is the only upper classman in the cornerback room.

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Cam Wilhorn
CAM WILHORN

Cam Wilhorn is a University of Wisconsin School of Journalism Graduate and Wisconsin native. He's been covering Wisconsin sports since 2023 for outlets like BadgerBlitz.com, Badger of Honor and The Badger Herald.

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