Wisconsin football loses starting defensive lineman to the transfer portal
Wisconsin Badgers defensive lineman Curt Neal announced that he'll enter the transfer portal after three years in the football program.
The Wisconsin football program continues to see plenty of movement as it braces for an offseason full of changes following a disappointing 5-7 campaign.
The latest departure is redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Curt Neal, who announced his decision to enter the transfer portal on Tuesday.
"After much thought and reflection, I’ve decided I’ll be entering my name in the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining," Neal wrote. "This has not been an easy decision, as my time here at Wisconsin has been nothing short of incredible. Thank you, Badger Nation!"
Neal, a former three-star recruit from Cornelius, North Carolina, played in 29 games during his time in Madison, including two seasons under head coach Luke Fickell. In 2024, Neal emerged as a starter on the defensive line, recording 30 total tackles, 10 pressures, 3.5 tackles for loss, and one sack in 433 snaps.
Despite his contributions, the defensive line struggled as a unit, with the Badgers ranking last nationally in tackles for loss and 118th in sacks. At 6 feet tall and 291 pounds, Neal’s skill set and profile didn’t fully align with the disruptive style coach Fickell and defensive coordinator Mike Tressel are still striving to implement since coming over from Cincinnati.