Wisconsin football adds Tulane DL Parker Petersen from the transfer portal
Former Tulane defensive end Parker Petersen has committed to the Wisconsin Badgers football program after a visit.
Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin Badgers football program stayed busy in the transfer portal, making their third offseason addition in as many days.
The Badgers have landed a commitment from Tulane transfer defensive lineman Parker Petersen after wrapping up an official recruiting visit to Madison.
"Badger takes what he wants 🦡," Petersen wrote in an Instagram post.
Petersen, a 6-foot-4, 301-pound defensive end, is coming off a 2024 campaign in which he emerged as a key rotational piece for the Green Wave, logging 276 snaps after playing just 55 combined in his first two seasons for coach John Sumrall.
After appearing in just seven games for Tulane during his first three seasons, the Nashville, Tennessee, native played in all 13 games as a redshirt junior, recording 21 total tackles (14 solo), 13 stops, 12 pressures, five tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, and 2.5 sacks.
According to Pro Football Focus, Petersen was among the top interior defensive linemen in the American Athletic Conference, earning a 70.6 overall defensive grade. His pass-rushing ability stood out, earning him a 72.3 grade, which was fourth best in the AAC for defensive linemen, while his 66.2 mark against the run was also considered above average.
PFF stable metrics show that Petersen ranked in the 77th percentile for pass-rushing in true pass-rush situations and posted a win rate in the 55th percentile.
Petersen, a three-star recruit in the 2021 class, initially committed to Tulane out of high school. He chose the Green Wave over offers from Central Michigan, Navy, Illinois State, Bucknell, and Army, among others. His performance this past season drew attention from several Power Five programs in the transfer portal, with schools like USC, Auburn, Indiana, and Rutgers reportedly expressing interest.
For the Badgers, Petersen provides some much-needed size and experience along a defensive line that has lost multiple contributors this offseason, including James Thompson Jr. and Curt Neal to the portal, as well as Elijah Hills to graduation. Petersen's ability to step in and play snaps on day one makes him a valuable addition to E.J. Whitlow's room.
Along with Petersen, the Badgers are also set to bring back Dillan Johnson, Brandon Lane, and Jamel Howard. Fifth-year senior Ben Barten, who played in a rotational role this past season, also has the option to return for one final season.
In the 2025 recruiting class, the Badgers added in-state product Torin Pettaway, plus Drayden Pavey and Xavier Ukponu, who will add depth.
With Petersen's commitment, Wisconsin football has now added three players from the transfer portal this offseason, joining Louisville edge rusher Mason Reiger and Ball State tight end Tanner Koziol.
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