The Badger tight end depth took a big hit on Friday, losing their most experienced player to the transfer portal.
According to On3, tight end Tucker Ashcraft has entered his name into the transfer portal. He appeared in just four games this season, catching two passes for 10 yards. Right now, he's just planning to leave as the transfer portal doesn't officially open until January 2nd. Ashcraft intends to submit his name as soon as that day begins.
Tucker battled injuries for most of the year, and frankly, even when he was healthy, just wasn't on the same level as Lance Mason. He'll now look to get a fresh start elsewhere.
Wisconsin tight end room just got a lot younger
Related: Wisconsin football transfer portal tracker: Who's out, in, and the speculation
After losing Tucker to the portal, and starter Lance Mason to graduation, the Badgers tight end room is now very inexperienced. The are now left with Grant Stec, who has just five career receptions, Jackson McGohan, who has four career receptions, and no one else with a catch to their name yet. It's safe to say Luke Fickell will go portaling once again for a tight end.
As for Ashcraft, he'll look to latch on somewhere he can get some more action in the pass game. He had just 22 catches in three seasons with the Badgers, and never was able to fully unlock his full potential in Madison. Still, his departure leaves Fickell and company without any experience at the position.
While losing Tucker to the portal is not a huge loss offensively, it does leave the Badgers in the precarious position of needing to find a starter —or two. Wisconsin had success last year though, finding Lance Mason after another transfer left just days into fall camp.