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Wisconsin beat Deion Sanders for a DL commit while everyone was watching the CFP

Loads of potential here.

ByBraulio Perez|
Nov 29, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell looks on during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Nov 29, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell looks on during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

While you were watching all of the College Football Playoff action and getting over the fact that quarterback Mabrey Mettauer was entering the transfer portal, Luke Fickell was busy making moves to improve the team's defense for 2025.

Fickell and his coaching staff have been working overtime in adding transfer targets, with a new name being added to the list on Saturday night. That'd be Grambling State's Michael Garner, who announced for the Badgers. Garner becomes the fifth known defensive line commit for Fickell and Wisconsin via the portal.

Grambling State DL Michael Garner committed to Wisconsin on Saturday

Things moved pretty quickly here for Garner and Wisconsin. He took an official visit to Madison earlier in the week and shortly after his trip, he landed an offer from Fickell to join the program. After going home and taking some time to reflect, he shut his recruitment down and he'll be signing with UW.

This past campaign for Grambling State, the 6-6, 280-pounder finished with two sacks, 11 tackles and one forced fumble. Garner picked up offers from Colorado, UAB, Coastal Carolina and others throughout his recruitment this month. However, Fickell and the Badgers were able to come out on top. Garner took an official visit to Boulder to meet with Deion Sanders and Co. too.

Garner joins Corey Walker, Parker Petersen, Charles Perkins and Mason Reiger as the DL transfers who will be making plays for Mike Tressel come next campaign. In total, Wisconsin has added 14 players from the portal, which is pretty darn head-turning.

Fans had a feeling this would be the case, however, following the 5-7 season in '24. While Wisconsin turned down the opportunity to play in the Independence Bowl, it doesn't take away from the fact that the Badgers were rough to watch this fall. Fickell is ready for his new faces to make a big-time impact once Week 1 gets here next year, with Garner now expected to make a difference on defense for this squad.

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