Wisconsin Football Lands Transfer Portal Cornerback From Air Force

Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin football coaching staff came in and overhauled the Badgers cornerback room in a hurry. The final addition to that room for the 2023 season became official when Air Force cornerback Mike Mack II had his name listed on the fall camp roster. 

“Competition,” Mack told BadgerNotes regarding why he chose Wisconsin. “The staff has proven they know how to win, and I come from a winning program. The program itself has deep roots and the capabilities of challenging me in multi-dimensional aspects.”

Defensive backs coach Paul Haynes offered him a scholarship after he entered the transfer portal in June, and on paper, Mack’s strengths on the field mesh well with the new coaching staff’s vision at cornerback.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound cornerback was a pre-season All-Mountain West selection and has 20 career games under his belt for the Air Force Academy. For his career, Mack has tallied 69 tackles, four pass deflections, 2.5 TFLs, and an interception.

According to Pro Football Focus, Mack finished last season with a 64.3 grade (slightly above average) but is known for his physical style of play and being a sure tackler (78.2-high quality). He has played 773 career snaps during his collegiate career, with over 600 coming at cornerback and 160 coming in the box.

Mack has two years of starting experience and joins the Wisconsin football program with up to three additional years of eligibility remaining. The incoming transfer is still waiting for an NCAA waiver to become immediately eligible and not have to redshirt this season.

Wisconsin Football Cornerback Room Outlook Heading into the Season 

When spring practice ended, the Wisconsin football coaching staff felt good about their top three options, Alexander Smith, Ricardo Hallman, and slot corner Jason Maitre. But there were too many inexperienced players behind them in the two-deep if the Badgers were going to be contenders in the Big Ten. 

The coaching staff set out to fix this problem and added division two all-american Nyzier Fourqurean and Mike Mack II to give the Badgers a couple experienced players who can play on the boundary this fall. It’s also not coincidental that both players have plus size and length. 

These additions put less pressure on true freshmen Jonas Duclona, Jace Arnold, and Amare Snowden to play meaningful snaps from the jump and will allow them time to develop and learn the system properly before seeing game action. 

It’s hard not to feel good about how the Wisconsin football staff reshaped the Badgers cornerback room heading into the 2023 season.

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