The spring transfer portal has been mostly without drama for the Wisconsin Badgers. The losses, while strange, came as no surprise. Take TE Tanner Koziol, for example; reports were surfacing long before the spring portal opened that he was no longer with the team. Mark Hamper also was a double-transfer that was a bit ho-hum. Even Quincy Burroughs was a bit of a bummer but not overly surprising.
That all being said, the three listed above are all pass catchers. Two of them being wide-receivers and one being a big time pass catching tight end. This is a setback to the original plan that head coach Luke Fickell had in mind coming into spring. While the wide receiver room is still pretty loaded, it's not as deep as anticipated.
Which has had Fickell digging into the spring portal to see if he can land a new receiver to add. One name has popped up for Wisconsin, Xavier Loyd.
Since entering the portal, Illinois State WR Xavier Loyd has heard from Missouri, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Louisville and others.
— Allen Trieu (@AllenTrieu) April 16, 2025
66 receptions for 912 yards and six touchdowns in the fall.https://t.co/R60q2cFp4Q pic.twitter.com/RhIPiNtSZ2
Wisconsin is targeting Illinois State WR Xavier Loyd in the transfer portal
Xavier Loyd started his college career at Kansas State but struggled to rise the depth chart after his freshman year. He decided to restart his career and showcase his talents a Illinois State. That choice seemed to have helped him tremondously. He was able to get a starters role and maximize his opportunities. Now that he has re-entered the portal he is drawing interest from multiple schools including Louisville, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin.
Last season Loyd caught 66 passes for 912 yards and 6 touchdowns. He had two games over 100 yards receiving. He has the ability to take a short gain and turn it into an explosive gain and can also stretch the defense out on a go route.
Loyd would add depth and versatility to the receivers room. Now that it is short two players who should have opened up on the fall depth chart, it is even more necessary for Luke Fickell to find another player to not only fill a spot but also create an impact for the team. Loyd may be the perfect candidate for that job.