The expectation this offseason is that Wisconsin will leak players left and right until the portal officially opens in January, and then Luke Fickell will be reloading like crazy. That's exactly what is happening so far, as the fourth Badger has jumped in the portal, this time it's veteran running back Cade Yacamelli.
A savvy player who knows how to make the flashy play, but struggled to consistently be the go-to guy even with a 5.3 yards per carry average.
Wisconsin RB Cade Yacamelli is entering the transfer portal, his rep @glose_matt tells @PeteNakos.
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal) December 9, 2025
The 6-foot, 215-pound RB has rushed for 571 career yards, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. https://t.co/kSYG7dYADj pic.twitter.com/GLGxRGJkjE
Cade Yacamelli has announced his intention to enter the transfer portal
Related: Wisconsin player jumps in the portal fixing a future offseason battle
Yacamelli is known for explosive runs and has the ability to hit the second level and then take off for the touchdown. Last season, that was his calling card: in 2024, he rushed 33 times for 274 yards and two touchdowns, with a long of 45 yards, averaging 8.3 yards per carry.
However, this season it wasn't the same; in 2025, he couldn't find that explosive play, as he did in 2024, and his longest run of the season was 12 yards. While in his career, he still had an impressive 5.3 yards per carry; in 2025, it was only 3.4.
That doesn't mean he doesn't still have that insane ability; the Wisconsin Badgers did no favors to any of their running backs. It was a thrown-together offensive line that didn't really find its footing until the end of the season, and even then, it wasn't amazing. And sure enough, as soon as that line started to have some semblance of push for the running backs, Yacamelli rushed three times against Oregon for 16 yards, a 5.3 yards per carry, which is his career average.
He's now off to greener pastures as Luke Fickell, who still only imagined Yacamelli as a change of pace back for the Badgers. Yacamelli should be able to find a starting role somewhere across the FBS.