All Badgers

New Wisconsin Badgers cornerbacks coach is dominating transfer portal so far

No assistant coach in the country is having a better week in the transfer portal than new Wisconsin Badgers cornerbacks coach Robert Steeples.
Lorin Cox|
Arizona State cornerback Javan Robinson (12) is one of four transfer portal additions at CB for the Wisconsin Badgers
Arizona State cornerback Javan Robinson (12) is one of four transfer portal additions at CB for the Wisconsin Badgers | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

In this story:

Wisconsin Badgers

No assistant coach in the country is having a better week in the transfer portal than new Wisconsin Badgers cornerbacks coach Robert Steeples.

He was added to Luke Fickell's coaching less than two weeks before the transfer portal window opened, and he has already proven himself as a strong recruiter who has rebuilt his position group in only a handful of days.

It started on the second day of the transfer window opening with former Oklahoma State cornerback Eric Fletcher committing to the Badgers.

Then on Monday, Steeples added Cai Bates from Florida State, another young corner with length and plenty of untapped potential.

The highest-impact addition came Wednesday in Arizona State cornerback Javan Robinson, who instantly steps in as the most experienced player Wisconsin has at the position.

As if that wasn't enough, Steeples signed a fourth new corner in the portal Tuesday with Ohio State's Bryce West, who should fill a key role in the slot.

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

Four of Wisconsin's 14 transfer portal signings have come at Steeples' position, showcasing his ability to recruit multiple players who might not be guaranteed playing time in 2025.

All four of these new cornerbacks rank among the Top 65 CBs in 247 Sports transfer portal rankings. Robinson and Bates are both in the Top 35.

It's a strong first impression for Steeples, but acquiring talent is only the first step.

He needs to coach those players into quality play-makers on the back end of the Badgers defense to turn that position from a weakness to a strength in 2026.

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