Wisconsin has now added two edge rushers on back-to-back days. Yesterday, it was a freak athlete and an All-American D3 player, Liam Danitz. Today, Luke Fickell has brought in one of the top graded edge rushers in the Sun Belt, Denigel Cooper from App State. The defensive line continues to be upgraded as Fickell looks to ensure that getting to the quarterback is a key feature of the defense next season.
BREAKING: App State transfer EDGE Denigel Cooper has signed with Wisconsin, @PeteNakos reportshttps://t.co/SyRU2IEcjB pic.twitter.com/PafsJV2k7I
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal) January 17, 2026
Wisconsin has picked up an edge transfer from App State, Denigel Cooper
Related: Wisconsin football transfer portal tracker: Who's out, in, and the speculation
Cooper is listed as 6'3 and 260 pounds and was only a freshman this year at App State. He recorded 23 tackles last season and was graded as one of the best defensive linemen in his conference according to PFSN. He had a score of 73.3 as a true freshman. He now has three years left to play and will be looking to throw Big Ten quarterbacks out of sync.
He was rated a 3-star prospect out of high school with offers from ECU, App State, Indiana, Minnesota, and more. App State gave him the best chance to perform right away, and that he did, and now he's going to apply the skill and growth mindset to Wisconsin.
This is now the fourth edge rusher that Wisconsin has added in the transfer portal. The first was Justus Boone from Arkansas, another young edge with years to play. Then it was Jayden Loftin from Tennessee, who also has a high ceiling. Finally, Danitz (with only one year to play), and now Cooper.
It's a great haul for a position group that not only needed immediate impact but also depth with future prospects down the road. Luke Fickell has done a good job of getting both upgrades and more years of eligibility. Cooper is another great example of that.