How many will we lose in the portal?

[Voyageur]

I don't remember ever seeing a tougher schedule for a Badger team. This is easily the hardest schedule in the conference, and almost certainly one of the most difficult in the country. They may end up with an even worse record than last year's.

Agreed! Simply horrendous!

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

This will be interesting see how it plays out. Maybe just a clerical error or maybe beyond that and including tampering?

It won't be the first TP "incident" that occurs.

https://athlonsports.com/college/wisconsin-badgers/wisconsin-football-blocking-cb-xavier-lucas-transfer-portal-entry

 

[Voyageur]

This will be interesting see how it plays out. Maybe just a clerical error or maybe beyond that and including tampering?

It won't be the first TP "incident" that occurs.

https://athlonsports.com/college/wisconsin-badgers/wisconsin-football-blocking-cb-xavier-lucas-transfer-portal-entry

The minute I read where he was originally recruited by Florida based schools, my mind went immediately to Florida, Florida State, and Miami, all of which wouldn't hesitate for a heartbeat to allow someone "not associated with the program" to suggest to someone like Xavier that there's a ton of cash waiting to be grabbed through NIL, if he should enter the portal, and go to one of their schools.

I have a hunch it did happen. Proving it is another thing all together. My guess is, it's a Florida based school, and my #1 pick would be Miami.

 

[Voyageur]

Considering we lost 25 players to the portal, and the program was in disarray, the Badgers have produced the 5th best results within the Big 10, in gaining quality players. Of course the teams that dominate the conference are ahead of them in most cases, but still it shows they're out there working to get these guys who want a change of scenery, and have some talent.

Even though the Badgers are 5th in the conference, they are only 23rd overall, and that's not enough to make an impact when it comes to moving up the ladder too far, but it is an improvement. Let's hope Fickell & company continue to work the portal and find some quality players straight out of high school, to bolster the program.

Something that's crossed my mind over the last couple of months. I remember someone asking Fickell about the scholarships they'd already given, and the offers that were out there, on the table. They exceeded the allowable 85, by double digits. He commented that it would all sort itself out. That makes me wonder as to how many of the 25 who have left Madison did so, after Fickell told them they were not going to get solid roles on the team in 2025. Maybe some of this attrition is what he actually wanted?

https://247sports.com/season/2024-football/transferteamrankings/

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

That makes me wonder as to how many of the 25 who have left Madison did so, after Fickell told them they were not going to get solid roles on the team in 2025. Maybe some of this attrition is what he actually wanted?

There is no doubt in my mind that the transfer portal has created friction when it comes to scholarships and spots on the roster. Pre-TP and NIL, you pretty much knew your future outgoing and incoming numbers, give or take a few. That's all changed and the people that are handing out scholarship funds are probably working overtime to keep up with not just keeping their books straight, but keeping the recruiters and coaches up to speed on where things stand. I can see why a lot of college coaches like Jeff Hafley walked away from college ball.

Another thing to throw into all of this and I could be wrong. However, does it seem to others that the number of High School recruits that originally committed to a program, are decommitting at a higher rate? Wouldn't surprise me with NIL, spots opening up at better programs, etc. Plus, maybe it is now considered socially "cool" to constantly change your jersey/mind and keep people waiting for your "big" news/decision.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

More info. on the Lucas Transfer holdup. Sounds almost like he signed some kind of NIL deal in Dec. and thus by transferring, he would be reneging on the contract? No real answers, but man if these players think they can take the money and run, I hope the courts put an end to that.

Transfer portal dispute between Wisconsin, 4-star cornerback: Here's what we know

Here's what sources said about a strange situation between the Badgers and their highest-graded defender, who was a freshman wanting to transfer.

badgerextra.com

 

[Voyageur]

More info. on the Lucas Transfer holdup. Sounds almost like he signed some kind of NIL deal in Dec. and thus by transferring, he would be reneging on the contract? No real answers, but man if these players think they can take the money and run, I hope the courts put an end to that.

Transfer portal dispute between Wisconsin, 4-star cornerback: Here's what we know

Here's what sources said about a strange situation between the Badgers and their highest-graded defender, who was a freshman wanting to transfer.

badgerextra.com

It sounds like they may have paid him money in advance, then he went home to Florida, and some deep pocketed alumni who is part of a NIL arrangement for one of the Florida schools approached him with an offer that dwarfed what Wisconsin's NIL was paying. So, he decided to jump ship for the bucks.

Problem is, did he already accept the money at Wisconsin, and is he trying to "double-dip" like a greedy little pig? I have to say, in all honesty, I don't think he should be playing in Madison under the circumstances. In fact, the NCAA should ban him from paying anywhere, and make him give back the money he accepted fraudulently. Now, if he signed an agreement, and just plain doesn't intend to honor it, I'd say the NCAA should tell him he's ineligible to play this coming year, and not allowed to even attend the school who was giving him the golden goose.

This whole pampering and tampering bit has gone too far.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I don't know if the transfer portal and NIL had anything to do with the lousy play since Fickell arrived. I'm sure there are a lot more people on this forum who have some idea. Fickell was/is a respected HC and I think he brought a lot of assistants from Cincinnati.

It's a mystery to me. I certainly miss having a competitive, D1 college football team in Madison.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I don't know if the transfer portal and NIL had anything to do with the lousy play since Fickell arrived. I'm sure there are a lot more people on this forum who have some idea. Fickell was/is a respected HC and I think he brought a lot of assistants from Cincinnati.

It's a mystery to me. I certainly miss having a competitive, D1 college football team in Madison.

I am not sure if it is really just 1 thing that you can point to as the #1 contributing factor of the Badgers slide. Something to keep in mind is the fact that many thought that Paul Chryst's recruiting had gone downhill. Which I think would have gotten even worse with the TP and NIL money taking off.

So yes, this was Fickell's 2nd year as HC, but when he took over in 2023, the recruiting for 2023 and for 2024 was well on its way or completed. So it will take some patience to see what he can do. Getting quality players into the program and keeping them, will be the key. Getting players that buy into what he is doing, critical.

I wouldn't doubt that a lot of the players that Chryst recruited and handed over to Fickell, may not have liked the change and maybe some were guys that didn't fit well into Fickell's plans either. I also think when you start losing, that makes players want to improve their lot, the TP now makes that easy.

Give it some time, unfortunately, as discussed, the upcoming schedule may test a ton of fans and players patience.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Update on the Portal.

So some are saying that the Badger class of Portal Transfers (into Wisconsin) as Top 10.

The Badgers' incoming transfer class currently has 17 commitments (16 scholarship, one walk-on). The group's headliners are Jacksonville State CB Geimere Latimer, Maryland QB Billy Edwards Jr., Ball State TE Tanner Koziol, Kentucky EDGE Tyreese Fearbry and Tulane DT Parker Petersen.

Wisconsin transfer portal class holds top-10 ranking after Geimere Latimer addition

Wisconsin 2025 transfer portal class holds top-10 ranking after Geimere Latimer addition

badgerswire.usatoday.com

 

[Voyageur]

Update on the Portal.

So some are saying that the Badger class of Portal Transfers (into Wisconsin) as Top 10.

The Badgers' incoming transfer class currently has 17 commitments (16 scholarship, one walk-on). The group's headliners are Jacksonville State CB Geimere Latimer, Maryland QB Billy Edwards Jr., Ball State TE Tanner Koziol, Kentucky EDGE Tyreese Fearbry and Tulane DT Parker Petersen.

Wisconsin transfer portal class holds top-10 ranking after Geimere Latimer addition

Wisconsin 2025 transfer portal class holds top-10 ranking after Geimere Latimer addition

badgerswire.usatoday.com

For some reason, even with this high of a grade in catches, the Badgers are looking like a push over in the conference. How bad could this roster have been?