It was announced yesterday that star cornerback Ricardo Hallman would return to Wisconsin for his final year of eligibility. There were rumblings that he might consider jumping into the NFL, but he decided to play for the Badgers one more season. After having a huge 2023 season with seven interceptions but none in 2024, he seems to want a prove-it season in 2025. Today, Hallman sent an emotional and grateful social media message out.
Jesus if you never did another thing you did enough!! Eternally Grateful ❤️🙏🏾
— Rico (@ricardohallman6) January 9, 2025
Let’s do it Madison! #Onwisconsin ❤️
Ricardo Hallman is grateful for another year at Wisconsin.
There are a few layers at work here in this announcement. The first is that he's a star cornerback who cannot be replaced in the portal or in recruiting without some significant development. Imagine if Wisconsin added a cornerback with 60 tackles and eight interceptions in the portal. That would be huge news and by retaining Hallman, that's exactly what the Badgers did.
The second layer is that Hallman adds validity to a coaching staff that is looking to turn things around. When a star decides to stick around instead of head off to a more immediate winning program, there's some credence to the fact that Hallman trusts Fickell can get things right next season. There is hope from the administration, the athletic office, and the fanbase for that future, too.
The final layer is that Hallman helps make a case for Wisconsin, whether he realizes it or not, for the standoff with Xavier Lucas. You can read the latest here if you aren't familiar with the Lucas situation. Hallman is a teammate of Lucas and is from South Florida, like Lucas, and his decision to stay means there is more to the story on Wisconsin's side than is being reported. That Wisconsin has a legitimate case to block the transfer of Lucas, as it seems no other teammates are rallying around him.
All that to say, it's so good to have Hallman back in the fold, and he seems excited and grateful about it, too.