Wisconsin Football Program’s Remaining Transfer Portal Needs

The Wisconsin football program has been aggressive since the transfer window opened, as the Badgers have added 13 players via the portal.

UW has filled several positions of need, but there are still some glaring holes on the roster that could still be addressed. 

Here are three of Wisconsin’s biggest remaining needs in the transfer portal.

Wisconsin Football Needs Additional Help on the Defensive Line

The Badgers added their first defensive lineman via the transfer portal on Tuesday, as former Albany DL Elijah Hills announced his commitment to the program. Despite his commitment, UW still needs some additional bodies in the trenches. 

Wisconsin has three returning contributors at defensive line in 2024, with James Thompson Jr, Cade McDonald, and Ben Barten set to come back to the Badgers. Darian Varner was also projected to return, but after playing a limited role in 2023, he elected to transfer out of the program, kicking up the need for defensive line help even more. 

Hills is a good depth piece, but adding even more defensive line help would be big for UW. They do have some young talent on the roster who could see some time, such as Jamel Howard and Curt Neal, but the need for a veteran on the defensive line remains the most prevalent need. 

Wisconsin Football Needs Another Body at Wide Receiver

The Badgers needed to replace the losses after Chimere Dike and Skyler Bell entered the transfer portal shortly after the window opened. UW did find some help in the slot receiver position, adding former Michigan State WR Tyrell Henry, but the need for a receiver on the boundary is still a big one. 

Wisconsin has missed out on a few WR transfer targets, including Elijah Sarratt, who committed to Indiana, and former Wake Forest receiver Jahmal Banks, who committed to Nebraska. There are still some other offers out there, but it’s been relatively quiet on that front. 

Receiver isn’t the biggest need for the Badgers, considering their two leading receivers, Will Pauling and Bryson Green, are coming back for another season alongside other contributors, including CJ Williams and Vinny Anthony. However, an extra body on the boundary, preferably with some good experience, would elevate this WR room.

The Badgers Could Use Another Defensive Back

UW has added just one defensive back through the transfer portal by bringing in former Toledo CB RJ Delancy, but they have dished out loads of offers looking for help in the secondary. 

With Travian Blaylock and Jason Maitre heading to the NFL Draft, UW could use another body with experience. Now, I wouldn’t necessarily say it is a necessity, considering Delancy has the versatility to play as a boundary corner or in the nickel. That said, getting some added insurance would be for the betterment of this group. 

Georgia Tech DB KJ Wallace will be some players to watch going forward, as he is the only defensive back offer that has not found a new home as of the time of this writing.

As it stands, the Wisconsin football program has the No. 13 transfer class in the nation, per the industry-generated composite rankings.

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