3 players Wisconsin football should already be thinking about in the transfer portal

It's hard to believe that we've already reached Week 10 of the NCAA football season. Things have been a bit up and down for Wisconsin Badgers football, with the team sitting at 5-3 on the year leading up to the upcoming showdown with Iowa.

Luke Fickell and Co. are looking for one more win to get to bowl eligibility and it could come as early as Saturday. With that said, it's also not too early to start thinking about the future. The Early Signing Period is set to arrive in early December, which fans are fired up about.

However, don't forget that the transfer portal is set to open up on Dec. 9 and things will be open until Dec. 28. This will be a great time for Fickell and his staff to try and land some playmakers with college experience under their belt. From our chair, here are three guys the staff should already have on their radar:

3. QB Matthew Sluka

Unfortunately in September, quarterback Tyler Van Dyke went down with a torn ACL. He underwent successful surgery and the plan is for him to be back in Madison next year. However, coming off a serious knee injury, it's up in the air if he'll apply for a medical redshirt. Fickell said Van Dyke is in the team's plans for the future, but again, who knows what will happen there.

Braedyn Locke has proven he isn't the answer at the position. While he can show some flashes at times, he's far too inconsistent. Matthew Sluka is going to be a top option on the market in early December. While there's some negativity surrounding him over his NIL lawsuit, the fact of the matter is he can change an offense. He's someone for UW to consider.

2. QB Cameron Edge

Another option at signal-caller would be Cameron Edge, who recently announced his intentions to leave Maryland. Say Van Dyke does return as your starter for 2025. In that case, you could still bring in a new QB to serve as a quality No. 2 option, but also be ready to go in case Van Dyke doesn't return. Edge was a touted prospect coming out of high school. Things didn't work out for him at Maryland, but a new home could help get his career back on track. Again, this is someone for Fickell to consider.

1. DL Tyson Ford

Over on defense, it's been made clear that the Badgers need some help up front. The pass-rush hasn't delivered in key spots and stopping the run game could improve. That's where someone like Tyson Ford can come in. Ford signed with Notre Dame in 2022 as a four-star prospect. He had a boatload of offers and was the No. 24 DL prospect for his class. Get him to Madison and let him remind people why he was such a popular recruit not long ago.