Wisconsin Football Redshirt Sophomore DL Enters the Transfer Portal

The Wisconsin football program has lost its third player to the transfer portal in the spring window. 

Redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Gabe Kirschke announced on social media that he will play elsewhere next season. 

“Over the last two years, I have grown as a person and a player and am thankful for the opportunities that Wisconsin has given me,” Kirschke wrote. “Thank you to the coaches and support staff for taking care and building me into the person I am today.” 

pic.twitter.com/mThPaBMmQR

— Gabe Kirschke (@KirschkeGabe) April 18, 2024

The Colorado native will have three years of eligibility remaining at his next stop. 

Wisconsin Football Loses Defensive Lineman to the Transfer Portal

Kirschke joined the Badgers as a walk-on as part of the 2022 recruiting class. He chose to walk on to UW over scholarship offers from New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, and Northern Colorado, as well as walk-on offers from Colorado, Wyoming, and Colorado State. 

The former walk-on played in one game during his freshman season, making an appearance against Iowa and logging one tackle. 

After appearing once in 2022, Kirschke did not see the field last season. 

Wisconsin’s defensive line room will now comprise of James Thompson Jr, Curt Neal, Elijah Hills, Ben Barten, Cade McDonald, Ernest Willor Jr, Dillan Johnson, and Hank Weber heading into the 2024 season. This group, under the direction of E.J. Whitlow, will have the task of rebounding from a season where the defensive line produced just 59 pressures and 4.5 sacks. 

Best of luck to Kirschke at his next stop.

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