Wisconsin Football Offers FCS Defensive Lineman in Transfer Portal

Improving the quality and depth of the Badgers defensive line will be paramount for the Wisconsin football program in order to take the next step as a defense in 2024.

The Badgers have already been connected to a handful of defensive linemen since the transfer portal officially opened, and now Wisconsin has a new scholarship offer out to Youngstown State DT Anthony Johnson.

Standing at 6-foot-3, 300 pounds, Johnson is a grad transfer with one year of eligibility and has already picked up offers from UAB, UMASS, Michigan State, and now the University of Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Offered!! pic.twitter.com/35zFAJQ53T

— Ant (@anttt88) December 5, 2023

Wisconsin Football Offers Youngstown State Defensive Lineman in Transfer Portal 

The Wisconsin football team’s defensive line play this past season was “meh” at best in Luke Fickell’s first year as head coach. In the spirit of fairness, it was a personnel grouping with skill sets that differed from what he’s traditionally asked his d-lineman to do (rush the passer).

With James Thompson Jr, Ben Barten, Darian Varner, and Cade McDonald as the only known Badgers contributors returning next season, adding multiple experienced bodies in Coach Greg Scruggs’ DL room is a must.

Anthony Johnson redshirted at Bowling Green his freshman year, then transferred to Youngstown State, where he appeared in 36 games across the next four seasons. He finished his career with the Penguins totaling 45 tackles, 38 pressures, 9.0 TFLs, 5.0 sacks, and a fumble recovery.

Wisconsin football coaches have been selective about their offers thus far, but Johnson is a name worth monitoring because the Badgers have a clear need on the interior defensive line.

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