2025 Badger Football Thread

Latimer HS coach and the WI coach recruiting him have some ties is why, UGA and Tenn have the inside track. Georgia HS FB is complicated and does take turns but it would be a HUGE upset if UW pulled this off.
 
So it appears that Wisconsin was getting decimated in the Spring Portal.

But, were we really?

We lost (see below):
  • An Offensive Lineman from Wisconsin who redshirted, didn't play, and left. He might have been Wisconsin's highet rated in state recruit last year. But, what does that mean? He was the best from Wisconsin, who couldn't crack a Sieve of a line.
    • Is this really a loss?
    • He probably didn't break the starting line up over the winter or going into spring.
  • A 3 star Cornerback who redshirted, didn't play, and left. Also, couldn't crack the lineup of a defense that was no where near as dominant as our bragging right years.
    • Is this really a loss?
    • He probably didn't break the starting line up over the winter or going into spring.
  • An Idaho Wide Receiver. Good numbers but against Idaho competition
    • Is this really a loss?
    • He probably didn't break the starting line up over the winter or going into spring.
  • A Tight End. Good numbers but against Ball State competition.
    • Is this really a loss?
    • He probably didn't break the starting line up over the winter or going into spring.
  • A long snapper.
    • We had another long snapper transfer in.
    • He was probably beat out -
    • Or, he was afraid of the competition.
We gained (see below):
  • A long snapper
  • Quarterback depth
I as many had a Holy Cow what's going on, but did Bucky really get hurt in the Spring Transfer? I don't think so. Somebody mentioned they heard rumors the transferring Tight End didn't get it at spring practice [And, quite honestly, I suspect Houston offered him more in NIL. He should get everything he can while he can - because he's not Paul Coffman, Chewey, Keith Jackson, Finley, Kraft, Musgraves, Kittle, Mr. Swift, Bavaro, that other Sharpe, Moose, Jake Ferguson, and certainly not Ditka. He's Ball State. He may prove me wrong, but I think he'll be just a guy, maybe good but not great.] The receiver was from Idaho - I'm not saying he couldn't be good, but he wasn't burning cornerbacks from Ohio State, Michigan, Iowa, Nebraska, and Michigan State. I think we'll have guys step up on the receiving end.

So, I think, we won't know until next fall. I don't like the transfer portal at all, but we have to learn to live with it. And, I don't think these Spring Transfers are a as dire as we thought. I think the injured left tackle hurts more.

I'm glad I'm not Coach Fickell. You just have to grin and bear it with the portal and these kids. Hopefully, he is building some inner toughness and togetherness that will overcome some quality and talent issues - I know, but it can happen.

Go Bucky.

Departing Transfers​

Cornerback Jay Harper: Harper was a three-star recruit in the class of 2024. He did not see the field as a true freshman, and now enters the portal with four years of eligibility remaining. He has yet to announce a transfer destination.

Long-snapper Eli Stein: Stein is another winter transfer addition to exit during spring practice. Wisconsin recently added former Purdue long snapper Nick Levy, hinting that Stein no longer firmly held the starting job. The former Arkansas Razorback has yet to announce a transfer commitment.

Offensive lineman Derek Jensen: Jensen is another class of 2024 commit to depart. He was Wisconsin's highest-rated in-state commit of the class, signaling the program's lack of success in recruiting its state. The redshirt freshman lineman has since committed to Iowa State.

Wide receiver Quincy Burroughs: Burroughs departs a crowded wide receiver room where he again projected as a depth option. The former Cincinnati Bearcat joined the Badgers before the 2023 season, following head coach Luke Fickell. The receiver, who entered with two years of eligibility remaining, has yet to announce a landing spot.

Wide receiver Mark Hamper: Hamper is one of the more notable spring transfer departures. He joined the Badgers as one of their top additions in the winter window, projected to compete for a starting job at wide receiver. Fellow transfer Jayden Ballard appears to have a hold on that position, which may have prompted Hamper's brisk departure. The former FCS Freshman All-American has visits scheduled to New Mexico, Arizona State and Cal.

Tight end Tanner Koziol: Koziol projected as one of Wisconsin's leading receiving options after joining during the winter window. He then departed after just four months with the program and quickly committed to Houston.

Incoming Transfers​

Purdue long snapper Nick Levy: Levy is a write-in at starting long snapper after Stein's departure. The former Purdue Boilermaker started all 12 games of the 2024 season, after compiling 24 total starts over two years at William & Mary.

Southern Illinois quarterback Hunter Simmons: The FCS transfer joins a crowded Wisconsin quarterback room. He likely slots in as the third-string option, behind backup Danny O'Neil. The Badgers are looking to avoid a repeat of the last two seasons, when their depth at the position became a major issue after major injuries to the starter.

(https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ot...TS&cvid=012d5d5cc83f4803a70d5ab72692f9d3&ei=8 )
 
Mark87 said:
Homer article.... none of his take is reality.
Click to expand...
What do you think about my thoughts - the front part before the transferring players are identified? Is Bucky really hurt that bad? Isn't it just mediocre leaving mediocre? It's not like we stole or lost any of these guys from or to Ohio State, Michigan, Georgia, Bama, or Texas.
 
Keg Man said:
What do you think about my thoughts - the front part before the transferring players are identified? Is Bucky really hurt that bad? Isn't it just mediocre leaving mediocre? It's not like we stole or lost any of these guys from or to Ohio State, Michigan, Georgia, Bama, or Texas.
Click to expand...
Couple things... You have to add the people we lost before the spring portal, and add that to the sum. We weren't very deep and talented before that; our record last year speaks to that. Billy Edwards was just okay at QB in the spring so don't expect

Right now, it's a 4-5 win football team. We don't have a lot depth in key spots...injuries could derail us even more. If Fickell wins 6 or more games with this roster, he's a genius, and you keep him long term. Maybe, just mayb,e a few freshies step up and prove me wrong
hope(
 
Mark87 said:
Couple things... You have to add the people we lost before the spring portal, and add that to the sum. We weren't very deep and talented before that; our record last year speaks to that. Billy Edwards was just okay at QB in the spring so don't expect

Right now, it's a 4-5 win football team. We don't have a lot depth in key spots...injuries could derail us even more. If Fickell wins 6 or more games with this roster, he's a genius, and you keep him long term. Maybe, just mayb,e a few freshies step up and prove me wrong
hope(
Click to expand...
I kept my analysis to the recent the Sky Is Falling Transfers Out Of Wisconsin.

I agree and if I get some time, I'll look at the entire transfer picture of who we lost and who we gained. I think we lost more important players earlier. I haven't done a cartwheel over anybody that transferred in - especially including Edwards and O'Neil at Quarterback.

And, if Coach Fick pulls a rabbit out of his hat and gets Buck back into a Bowl Game - HOLY COW in a great way.
 
BREAKING: Missouri State transfer TE Lance Mason has Committed to Wisconsin,
@on3sports
has learnedHe was a 23 game starter and led all of FCS in TE receiving yards last season1 year of eligibility remaining
 
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