All Badgers

Badgers transfer portal addition flips to Kansas 2 days after committing to Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Badgers thought they landed a boost to their defensive line in the transfer portal. Two days later, he flipped his commitment to Kansas, before Luke Fickell's staff ever had the chance to sign him.
Lorin Cox|
Nov 8, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell looks on during the third quarter against the Washington Huskies at Camp Randall Stadium.
Nov 8, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell looks on during the third quarter against the Washington Huskies at Camp Randall Stadium. | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

In this story:

Wisconsin Badgers

The Wisconsin Badgers thought they landed a boost to their defensive line in the transfer portal with Jibriel Conde from Grand Valley State.

Two days later, he flipped his commitment to Kansas, before Luke Fickell's staff ever had the chance to sign him.

Conde visited Wisconsin last week and announced his commitment to the Badgers on Saturday.

Then Monday night, he changed his mind and decided to go to Kansas instead.

Sign Up For the Wisconsin Daily Digest - OnSI’s Free Wisconsin Badgers Newsletter

He also visited the Jayhawks last week after his visit to Madison, but he still decided at the time to commit to Wisconsin.

Evidently Conde wasn't as sure as he thought he was.

The Badgers were a shoe-in to land him from the moment he entered the portal.

Related: Wisconsin Badgers add in-state LB in transfer portal who dominated at JUCO level

Wisconsin defensive lineman Jay'Viar Suggs was his teammate at Grand Valley State in 2023, and the Badgers have a few former GVSU coaches and players on their staff to provide strong connections.

That didn't prove to be enough for Conde.

He would have provided some added experience (albeit at the Division-II level) to the Wisconsin defensive line that is set to graduate the top four players in its rotation.

The Badgers are set to sign two defensive line recruits in the 2026 class that should provide some youth at the position, but Fickell and his staff will have to look elsewhere in the transfer portal for more help up front.

More Wisconsin Badgers News:

Published
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.

Home/Recruiting