The Wisconsin Badgers took a big hit this spring when their starting sophomore left tackle Kevin Heywood went down with an ACL injury that requires surgery. He will miss the entirety of the 2025 football season which means that head coach Luke Fickell and offensive line coach AJ Blazek will need to figure out what to do with that position for the season.
For the Spring Showcase, they stuck Joe Brunner in the left tackle spot. He normally plays left guard but may end up being forced into the starting tackle role. Though, there are still a few options in the portal. Not many but a few.
1. Jordan Davis - South Alabama
Former South Alabama OT Jordan Davis has heard from the following programs since entering the transfer portal, sources tell @247Sports:
— Bryce Koon (@bryce_koon) April 22, 2025
UNC
Rutgers
UCF
West Virginia
Kansas
Wisconsin
Oklahoma State
Davis has one year of eligibility remaining.https://t.co/NPVydIE6JG pic.twitter.com/R5lDgAAi5T
The first option in the portal is one that Wisconsin is known to be involved with and is trying to bring to Madison. Jordan Davis is a 6'5" 306lb tackle that could slide in to the left tackle spot for the Badgers. He is a veteran but has limited experience as a starter. He was recruited by the South Carolina Gamecocks and the SEC, but failed to crack the depth chart, which is why he landed at South Alabama. He's a bit of a plug-and-play guy with a low-risk, high-reward approach.
2. Andre Roye - Maryland
Roye's recruitment has been very quiet, and reports haven't dropped on whether Wisconsin is even interested. However, Roye spent all last season protecting Billy Edwards Jr. who he could now do again in Wisconsin. He would be someone worth reaching out to and finding out if there's a way to get him to Wisconsin.
Maryland offensive tackle Andre Roye has entered the transfer portal, @chris_hummer and I have learned for @cbssports/@247Sports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) April 18, 2025
The 6-foot-6, 295-pound Roye was Maryland’s starting left tackle last season.https://t.co/10Sz3YwNKg pic.twitter.com/O9bNzHcxUK
3. Larry Johnson III - Tennessee
Tennessee offensive lineman Larry Johnson has entered the transfer portal, @On3sports has learned.
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) April 21, 2025
Was a top-ranked JUCO recruit. https://t.co/wMrfFrdlE6 pic.twitter.com/oM56ZyVEP7
Similarly, Larry Johnson III's recruitment from the portal has been relatively quiet. However, he was one of the top players to come out of JUCO last season and the Vols were able to land him. He played quality minutes for Tennessee and would be a home run grab for the Badgers.
Ultimately, it will be something to keep an eye on, they aren't forced to go to the portal and could go with in-house players but there are still a few players in the portal that would give the Badgers an upgrade at the left tackle position without Kevin Heywood.