Luke Fickell adds an under the radar TE as part of a chaotic weekend

Luke Fickell has come out firing as the transfer portal opened. He's adding all sorts of dynamic players and even was able to lure in the best quarterback he's ever had at Wisconsin, Colton Joseph. He's also added quality players around him. To add to the craziness, but not to be lost in it, he added an under-the-radar tight end from SIU, Ryan Schwendeman.

Luke Fickell always needs a few players that you've never heard of out of the portal. He can't help himself, and the first of that bunch is a senior out of SIU. Schwendeman may end up with two years of eligibility, even though he's a senior, because he was injured in 2024 and played only four games.

Ryan Schwendeman has committed to the Wisconsin Badgers as part of a busy transfer weekend

Related: 3 incredible reasons Colton Joseph fits Wisconsin like a glove

Schwendeman had his breakout year as a junior at SIU. He played in only nine games but was explosive in those games, recording 15 receptions for 191 yards and two touchdowns. He's also a big body at 6'5 and 245 pounds. Making him another ideal fit for Jeff Grimes in the offense.

Grimes loves having multiple tight ends out on every play and needs lots of depth there, with each of those players having the ability to get a catch and haul in a touchdown if called upon. However, mostly they will be used in options, blocking, and movement on the line.

Schwendeman is a great addition. He may end up being depth, but with Luke Fickell needing to replace nearly 30 players on the roster, he needs both top-tier and lots of depth behind them.

Schwendeman is the seventh addition this weekend out of the transfer portal. Here's everyone that has come so far for the Badgers:

S - Carson Van Dinter - Iowa State
TE - Jacob Harris - Bowling Green
RB - Abu Sama III - Iowa State
CB - Eric Fletcher - Oklahoma State
QB - Colton Joseph - Old Dominion
TE - Ryan Schwendeman - SIU