Wisconsin football lands Central Michigan transfer OL Davis Heinzen
Central Michigan offensive line transfer Davis Heinzen has committed to the Wisconsin Badgers football program.
The Wisconsin football program didn’t have to look far to find another piece for its offensive line room. And they just landed one in the transfer portal that fits what they need at this stage.
Central Michigan transfer Davis Heinzen announced his commitment to Wisconsin after an official visit to Madison.
"Thank you, CMU, for helping shape me into the person and player I am today," Heinzen wrote. "I’m grateful for everyone who’s been part of the journey. I’m excited to take the next step coming back to my home state to continue the offensive line tradition at the University of Wisconsin!"
The move gives the Badgers a veteran addition up front—and one who could factor into the competition taking place on the offensive line this fall.
Heinzen, a Manitowoc, Wisconsin native, brings toughness, decent athleticism, and some experience to the offensive line.
Originally recruited out of high school as a three-star tight end, Heinzen made the transition to offensive tackle and never looked back—starting 36 consecutive football games for Central Michigan.
According to Pro Football Focus, Heinzen posted a 56.0 offensive grade last season, including a 45.3 mark as a pass blocker and a 59.3 grade as a run blocker.
In 744 snaps—366 of which came in pass protection, Heinzen allowed 27 total pressures and four sacks with five penalties. Of his 2,336 career snaps, 1,905 have come at left tackle and another 420 at left guard—with a few one-offs sprinkled in. That experience matters.
But it’s also worth noting: while Heinzen’s background gives him a chance to compete for a spot in the two-deep right away, it doesn’t guarantee Heinzen's a plug-and-play answer. There’s still a massive jump coming from the MAC to the Big Ten, and Heinzen endured his share of struggles even at a lower level of competition, so temper expectations.
The timing of the addition couldn’t be more critical for Wisconsin.
Following a season-ending injury to projected starter Kevin Heywood during spring practices, the Badgers needed to bolster their depth and add competition at tackle. Heinzen's arrival gives offensive line coach AJ Blazek a seasoned option who’s battle-tested at the college level.
Listed at 6-foot-5, 310 pounds, Heinzen brings a solid athletic profile and a worker's mentality that fits the style Wisconsin wants to get back to. His experience helps, no question. But Heinzen's not a finished product—and he's also stepping up a level. Still, for a Badgers team that needed to add a warm body to the offensive line room, Heinzen represents a worthwhile addition who should at least help provide another option to the competition up front.
With just one year of eligibility remaining, Heinzen is fulfilling a dream opportunity to finish his career where it all started. The need is definitely there at left tackle after Heywood’s injury. But Joe Brunner—who started at left guard last season—feels like Wisconsin’s best internal option to kick outside, rather than Leyton Nelson, who’s filled in sparingly since the injury.
That likely puts Heinzen in the mix to provide depth across multiple spots and compete for a role on the interior offensive line, battling with players like Emerson Mandell, Kerry Kodanko, and JP Benzschawel when fall camp rolls around.
After turning on the tape, though, it’s hard to realistically project Heinzen as a true option to fill Heywood’s shoes at left tackle. I just don’t see it—not at this level. His best shot at carving out a role would likely come on the interior, where his toughness and experience give him a better chance to hold up against Big Ten defensive lines rather than out in space.
For Wisconsin, this wasn’t just about adding another body—it was about finding someone to help a position group that needed reinforcements. Landing an in-state product like Heinzen, who’s played a ton of college football in the MAC, gives the Badgers a senior presence to push for snaps and add valuable depth up front. It’s another savvy move by Luke Fickell and his staff as they continue to plug gaps.
Wisconsin has now added four players during the spring portal window: Heinzen, quarterback Hunter Simmons (Southern Illinois), tight end Lance Mason (Missouri State), and Purdue long snapper Nick Levy.
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