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Wisconsin Football Transfer Target Commits to Big Ten Program

The Badgers missed on a former in-state defensive lineman.

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Wisconsin Badgers defensive line coach E.J. Whitlow
Wisconsin defensive line coach E.J. Whitelow works with Ben Barten (68) and Curt Neal (92) before the team's intrasquad scrimmage on the field north of Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.

A Wisconsin football transfer portal target revealed his transfer destination on Wednesday morning. 

Gavin Meyer, a former in-state standout, announced that he will play his final year of eligibility with Lincoln Riley and USC. 


Meyer chose the Trojans over UW, Illinois, and Cal, who all expressed interest after the former Wyoming standout entered the portal. The Badgers will now face Meyer on September 28th in Los Angeles for the first matchup in conference play.

The Franklin, Wisconsin native, did not receive an offer from UW during his initial high school recruitment. He chose Wyoming over offers from Buffalo, Eastern Michigan, Navy, Air Force, South Dakota, Illinois State, and several others. 

Over the last two seasons at Wyoming, Meyer recorded 66 tackles, 49 pressures, 8.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, and a forced fumble. He was rated as the No. 165 defensive lineman available in the portal. 

Wisconsin pursued several defensive line options in the portal to fill up the last of their scholarship spots, but after walk-on wide receiver Haakon Anderson was placed on scholarship, the defensive line portal search was all but wrapped up. 

UW has experienced significant changes in its defensive line since the end of the 2023 season. They lost defensive linemen Rodas Johnson, Gio Paez, Darian Varner, TJ Bollers, and Mike Jarvis to the transfer portal, but they still have some experienced options. The Badgers will enter 2024 with James Thompson Jr., Curt Neal, Ben Barten, and Elijah Hills leading the top group on the defensive line. Badgers DL coach E.J. Whitlow will also have other younger options, with Jamel Howard, Ernest Willor Jr., and Hank Weber in the mix.

The Badgers are looking to bounce back from a season where the defensive line produced just 59 pressures and 4.5 sacks. With a thin room, E.J. Whitlow’s group will be one of the most interesting positions to watch in 2024.

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Jake Maier is the managing editor and publisher at BadgerNotes.com. He has provided coaching and editorial support to numerous writers in his role, contributing significantly to the platform's growth. His expertise extends to Wisconsin Badgers football, basketball, and recruiting coverage. Jake's previous bylines can be found at Fansided and Wisconsin Sports Heroics.

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