Former Four-Star Cornerback is Leaving Wisconsin For the Portal

Coming out of Roseville (MI) High School, Amare Snowden was considered a special recruit for the Wisconsin Badgers. The three-star defensive back recruit was on the 247Sports' 2023 Freaks List at 6' 4'' and 210 pounds. In addition, he was also a star baseball player who considered Cincinnati, where Luke Fickell was still the head football coach, so he could play both sports before ultimately choosing Wisconsin. 

In two years at Wisconsin, Amare Snowden got few opportunities behind defensive backs such as Ricardo Hallman, Xavier Lucas, and Nyzier Fourqurean. Given the limited playing opportunities, Snowden entered the transfer portal with three years of eligibility left and posted his announcement on X.

So, what happened with Snowden in Wisconsin? In a phone interview with Colten Bartholomew at BadgerExtra, Snowden discussed how he never got on the same page with cornerbacks coach Paul Haynes, stating that he "didn't have a relationship with him" and that he would have stayed in Madison if Haynes was not the cornerbacks' coach. 

Snowden also mentions how he felt consistently critiqued by Haynes on his technique, but on film, he was getting praised for the same technique. Despite not seeing eye-to-eye with Haynes, Snowden praised Fickell and the Wisconsin football program. He believes Fickell will turn the program around, and fans must believe in the coach's message and vision for Wisconsin football.

"I have nothing bad to say about Fick, Wisconsin, it’s a phenomenal program. Coach Fick, the fans need to trust him. (Wisconsin athletic director Chris) McIntosh need to trust him. He’s got a phenomenal vision, he’s just got to get people to buy into his vision."

Snowden

It's hard not to read into this, but it's curious that Snowden mentioned how McIntosh and "people" needed to trust Luke Fickell. These comments make one wonder if something might be brewing in the locker room or the athletics department.

Amare Snowden is the third player to enter the transfer portal behind linebacker Leon Lowery Jr. and quarterback Cole LaCrue.