Wisconsin’s season came to an end with an underwhelming effort in a loss to Minnesota on Black Friday. With no bowl practice or game to prepare for, the focus will shift quickly to building a better team in Year 3 for Luke Fickell and the Badgers. That will mean additions from the portal, while others will leave Madison looking for a fresh start. We will keep track of the comings and goings here over the next month or so.

** The transfer portal officially opened Dec. 9 and will stay open until Dec. 28. Players that take part in bowl or playoff games will have an additional five days after their final game to enter the portal even after Dec. 28. Those in the portal do not need to pick a new school before the portal closes.

UPDATED: Dec. 22 at 3 p.m.

Joining the program

OLB Tyreese Fearbry (2 years of eligibility)
Former school: Kentucky
2024 stats: 14 tackles

New beginnings #OnWisconsin @BadgerFootball @_Drew_55 @210ths pic.twitter.com/JXewQ8jUT9

— R2K (@FearbryTyreese) December 22, 2024

DL Michael Garner (3 years of eligibility)
Former school: Grambling State
2024 stats: 11 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 2 sacks

318–>608…✞ #badgerdown pic.twitter.com/WF1QVtA1CB

— Micheal Garner (@TheRealGMikey) December 22, 2024

WR Mark Hamper (3 years of eligibility)
Former school: Idaho
2024 stats: 48 catches, 966 yards, 6 TDs

https://twitter.com/mark_hamper/status/1870113926312317131

LB Antarron Turner (2 years of eligibility)
Former school: Western Carolina (FCS)
2024 stats: 61 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 3 sacks

GO BADGERS 🦡🦡@BadgerFootball pic.twitter.com/N0qIfXk3YM

— Antarron Turner (@AntarronTurner) December 19, 2024

WR Jayden Ballard (1 year of eligibility)
Former school: Ohio State
Career stats: 11 catches, 177 yards, 1 TD

BREAKING: Ohio State transfer WR Jayden Ballard has Committed to Wisconsin, @on3sports has learned

The 6’3 200 WR will have 1 year of eligibility remaining

Was ranked as a Top 70 Recruit (No. 10 WR) in ‘21 per On3https://t.co/JLENYWX4gS pic.twitter.com/yAG7fAkcue

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 18, 2024

S Matthew Traynor (3 years of eligibility)
Former school: Richmond (FCS)
Career stats: 74 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 2 INTs

Thank you GOD, let’s get to work🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/UUxbC5G0w4

— Matthew Traynor (@matthewdtraynor) December 17, 2024

QB Billy Edwards Jr. (1 year of eligibility)
Former school: Maryland
Career stats: 3,322 yards, 19 TDs, 10 INTs

Time to Jump Around 🦡 pic.twitter.com/ItFzXvfgqJ

— Billy Edwards Jr (@Billy_Edwards4) December 17, 2024

LS Eli Stein (1 year of eligibility)
Former school: Arkansas
Note: From Cambridge, Wis.

Blessed to be home! On Wisconsin! pic.twitter.com/UO3AEnIkVj

— Eli Stein (@EliStein10) December 17, 2024

DL Charles Perkins (2 years of eligibility)
Former school: UT-Martin (FCS)
2024 stats: 40 tackles, 9 TFLs, 2.5 sacks

LETS WORK🤝 @BHZKID23 @Coach_CJ15 @CoachWhit_UW @BadgerFootball pic.twitter.com/BRNCpE2Vlb

— Charles Perkins (@charleperkins15) December 16, 2024

QB Danny O’Neil (3 years of eligibility)
Former school: San Diego State
2024 stats: 2,151 yards, 12 TDs, 6 INTs

Jump🔴⚪️ @BadgerFootball @coachgrimey @CoachFick pic.twitter.com/R4rN8jXevP

— Danny O’Neil (@_dannyoneil) December 16, 2024

OLB Mason Reiger (1 year of eligibility)
Former school: Louisville (missed 2024 with injury)
Career stats: 49 tackles, 17 TFLs, 8 sacks

Go Badgers 🟥🦡⬜️@BadgerFootball pic.twitter.com/Kny8CRHms1

— Mason Reiger (@reiger_mason) December 13, 2024

TE Tanner Koziol (1 year of eligibility)
Former school: Ball State
2024 stats: 94 catches, 839 yards, 8 TDs

pic.twitter.com/HrLQmS2w8e

— Tanner Koziol (@tannerkoziol88) December 14, 2024

DL Parker Petersen (1 year of eligibility)
Former school: Tulane
2024 stats: 21 tackles, 5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks

Seeing Red @BadgerFootball @CoachWhit_UW pic.twitter.com/E4a0RrFFV5

— Parker Petersen (@ParkerPeterse11) December 15, 2024

DL Corey Walker (1 year of eligibility)
Former school: Western Michigan
2024 stats: 38 tackles, 7 TFLs, 5.5 sacks

#OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/7FkklElRT4

— Corey Walker (@Corey_Walker_) December 16, 2024

Leaving the program

QB Mabrey Mettauer (4 years of eligibility)
As a recruit: 4-star recruit (247Sports Composite)
Staff recruited by: Fickell
New school: TBA

Wisconsin true freshman QB Mabrey Mettauer is expected to enter the transfer portal, a source tells @CBSSports/@247Sports.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Texas native was a Class of 2024 four-star recruit.https://t.co/cnD2r3SyU2 pic.twitter.com/zWxQhXneVG

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 22, 2024

DL Jamel Howard (3 years of eligibility)
As a recruit: 3-star recruit (247Sports Composite)
Staff recruited by: Chryst/Fickell
New school: TBA

After meaningful talks with my family and staff, I’m grateful to the University of Wisconsin for helping me grow as a player and person. With that, I’m entering the transfer portal with three years of eligibility. pic.twitter.com/AxhmTL3HPs

— Jamel howard Jr (@HJ_Jr58) December 21, 2024

CB Xavier Lucas (3 years of eligibility)
As a recruit: 4-star recruit (247Sports Composite)
2024 stats: 12 tackles, 1 INT, 2 PBU
Staff recruited by: Fickell
New school: TBA

Thank you Wisconsin for everything! I’m officially in the transfer portal.

— Xavier Lucas (@XavierL_25) December 19, 2024

K Nate Van Zelst (1 year of eligibility)
Career stats: 11-14 on FGs
Staff recruited by: Chryst
New school: TBA

EDGE Anelu Lafaele (4 years of eligibility)
As a recruit: 3-star in 2024 class (247Sports Composite)
Staff recruited by: Fickell
New school: TBA

Wisconsin freshman edge Anelu Lafaele intends to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. Hawaii native was a four-star signee for the Badgers in the class of 2024.https://t.co/3R13VHX1Ye pic.twitter.com/EartW0G2FZ

— Brandon Huffman (@BrandonHuffman) December 19, 2024

WR Will Pauling (1 year of eligibility)
2024 stats: 42 catches, 407 yards, 3 TDs
Staff recruited by: Fickell
New school: TBA

Forever Grateful! #GodsPlan pic.twitter.com/CNiCtiqfSU

— Will Pauling⚡️ (@Will_Paul6) December 18, 2024

WR CJ Williams (1 year of eligibility)
2024 stats: 16 catches, 248 yards, 2 TDs
Staff recruited by: Fickell
New school: TBA

Blessings On The Journey! 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/brhZGUUgdC

— CJ Williams (@CJWilliams_03) December 18, 2024

DB Max Lofy (1 year of eligibility)
2024 stats: 10 tackles, 1 PBU
Staff recruited by: Chryst
New school: TBA

DM’s are open pic.twitter.com/JKIxXiA8Q0

— Max Lofy (@Mclofy) December 16, 2024

QB Braedyn Locke (2 years of eligibility)
2024 stats: 1,936 yards, 13 TDs, 10 INTs (started final 10 games)
Staff recruited by: Fickell
New school: TBA

Thank you Wisconsin! pic.twitter.com/gPoRYqXeCz

— Braedyn Locke (@Braedyn_Locke3) December 11, 2024

TE Riley Nowakowski (1 year of eligibility)
2024 stats: 11 catches, 74 yards
Staff recruited by: Chryst
New team: Indiana

#committed @IndianaFootball pic.twitter.com/BAPgUh2wXd

— riley nowakowski (@rnowakowski14) December 18, 2024

QB Tyler Van Dyke (1 year of eligibility)
2024 stats: 422 yards, 1 TD (Started 3 games, tore ACL)
Staff recruited by: Fickell
New school: TBA

Source: Wisconsin quarterback Tyler Van Dyke is entering the NCAA transfer portal. He'll have one year of eligibility remaining. He has 7,891 career passing yards and 55 career touchdown passes in his time at Miami and Wisconsin. pic.twitter.com/mRuxbzuAnW

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 9, 2024

S Kamo’i Latu (1 year of eligibility)
Career stats (at UW): 75 tackles, 4 TFLs, 2 INTs, 7 PBUs
Staff recruited by: Chryst
New school:

Thank you wisco for an amazing 3 years! Officially in the portal ready for it all💯 #BetOnYourself 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/jzYf7uZlhg

— KaMō’ī LaTu (@15Latu) December 11, 2024

OL James Durand (3 years of eligibility)
2024 stats: Did not play
As a recruit: 3-star in 2024 class (247Sports Composite)
Staff recruited by: Chryst
New school: TBA

Wisconsin offensive lineman James Durand announced on his Instagram account that he intends on entering the transfer portal.

That leaves Wisconsin with four players remaining from its 2023 class: DL Jamel Howard, TE Tucker Ashcraft, ILB Tyler Jansey and OLB Christian Alliegro.

— Jesse Temple (@jessetemple) December 6, 2024

DL Hank Weber (4 years of eligibility)
2024 stats: Did not play
As a recruit: 3-star in 2024 class (247Sports Composite)
Staff recruited by: Fickell
New school: Samford

.@hankweber8 is officially a Bulldog!#HatchAttack | #AllForSAMford pic.twitter.com/Lg5XFsrqPs

— Samford Football (@SamfordFootball) December 17, 2024

DL James Thompson Jr (1 year of eligibility)
2024 stats: Missed all but one game with torn pec
Career stats: 59 tackles, 13 TFLs, 5 sacks
New school: TBA

Thank You for everything Wisconsin pic.twitter.com/wPHFR3bXbY

— James Thompson (@james_jr56) December 5, 2024

RB/WR Nate White (3 years of eligibility)
2024 stats: Did not play
As a recruit: 3-star in 2023 class (247Sports Composite)
Staff recruited by: Chryst
New school: TBA

Wisconsin redshirt freshman running back/wide receiver Nate White plans to enter the transfer portal per a source.#Badgers pic.twitter.com/5ICvFYvJlO

— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) December 4, 2024

S Braedyn Moore (3 years of eligibility)
2024 stats: 2 tackles
As a recruit: 4-star in 2023 class (247Sports Composite)
Staff recruited by: Fickell
New school: Toledo

Wisconsin redshirt freshman safety Braedyn Moore is expected to enter the transfer portal, a source tells @CBSSports/@247Sports.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Moore was a Class of 2023 four-star recruit.https://t.co/wHZ3oBMV7V pic.twitter.com/kQFUahTwRy

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 4, 2024

CB Jace Arnold (3 years of eligibility)
2024 stats: 1 tackle
As a recruit: 3-star in 2023 class (247Sports Composite)
Staff recruited by: Chryst
New school: TBA

All love Wisc❤️ pic.twitter.com/dVxASJ2ONZ

— Jace Arnold (@Jacearn21) December 3, 2024

DT Curt Neal (2 years of eligibility)
2024 stats: 29 tackles, 3 TFLs, .5 sacks
As a recruit: 3-star in 2022 class (247Sports Composite)
Staff recruited by: Chryst
New school: Illinois

After much thought and reflection, I’ve decided I’ll be entering my name in the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining. This has not been an easy decision, as my time here at Wisconsin has been nothing short of incredible. Thank you Badger Nation!

— Curtis Neal (@CurtisNeal97) December 3, 2024

DB Justin Taylor (3 years of eligibility)
2024 stats: Did not play
As a recruit: 3-star in 2023 class (247Sports Composite)
Staff recruited by: Chryst
New school: Wyoming

Looks like former Wisconsin DB Justin Taylor is headed to Wyoming https://t.co/NXbCHNnAhs pic.twitter.com/WuH39jUxKo

— Jon McNamara (@McNamaraRivals) December 18, 2024

CB Jonas Duclona (3 years of eligibility)
2024 stats: 2 tackles
As a recruit: 3-star in 2023 class (247Sports Composite)
Staff recruited by: Fickell
New school: South Florida

Home💚 @Coach_DVD @CoachKHelton_ pic.twitter.com/WuYSw0pL6l

— Jonas Duclona 🇭🇹 (@DuclonaJonas) December 17, 2024

CB Amare Snowden (3 years of eligibility)
2024 stats: 1 tackle
As a recruit: 4-star in 2023 class (247Sports Composite)
Staff recruited by: Fickell
New school: Toledo (to play football and baseball)

pic.twitter.com/lvqY24KFKt

— Amare Snowden (@amare_snowden) December 13, 2024

LB Leon Lowery (1 year of eligibility)
2024 stats: 29 tackles, 1 sack
Staff recruited by: Fickell
New school: Illinois

I’ll be planning to enter the transfer portal with 1 year of eligibility left. Thank you wisconsin for everything.

— Leon Lowery Jr (@leonlowery5) December 1, 2024

QB Cole LaCrue (3 years of eligibility)
2024 stats: Did not play
As a recruit: 3-star (247Sports Composite)
Staff recruited by: Chryst
New school: TBA

Wisconsin redshirt freshman quarterback Cole LaCrue is expected to enter the transfer portal, @On3sports has learned.

The former three-star recruit will enter the portal with four years of eligibility remaining.

More: https://t.co/FuTbzIQ0Tf pic.twitter.com/kCWCYfavET

— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) November 21, 2024

Heading to the NFL

N/A

Staying for another year

S Preston Zachman (1 year of eligibility)
2024 stats: 58 tackles, 3 TFLs, 2 INTs, 4 PBUs

Jobs not finished pic.twitter.com/3daKxVcq3L

— Preston Zachman (@ZachmanPreston) December 17, 2024

WR Trech Kekahuna (3 years of eligibility)
2024 stats: 25 catches, 339 yards, 2 TDs

Trech Kekahuna isn’t transferring after all. pic.twitter.com/NTXgFnhgDU

— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) December 12, 2024

OLB Darryl Peterson (1 year of eligibility)
Career: 104 tackles, 13 TFLs, 7.5 sacks

Finishing what I started! 1 Last Ride in Camp Randall #OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/JlOiV9z5mj

— Darryl Peterson (@_DPETERSON10) December 9, 2024

RT Riley Mahlman (1 year of eligibility)
Career: Started the last 25 games at RT

Not done yet! See everybody back in Camp Randall for the 2025 season. pic.twitter.com/sMXurLlcq6

— Riley Mahlman (@riley_mahlman) December 7, 2024

C Jake Renfro (1 year of eligibility)
Career: Started all 12 games in 2024 at center

One last ride in Camp Randall‼️ LET’S GO!!! pic.twitter.com/ork5yjji2f

— Jake Renfro 5️⃣7️⃣ (@JakeRenfro_) December 7, 2024