The Wisconsin Badgers are going to be one of the most aggressive teams in the portal this offseason. Hopefully in both quality and quantity, but assuredly the latter. They need nearly a starter at every single position, for many more than one, and they need to replace about 35 roster spots. The roster overhaul begins today as it's the first day of the portal.
Here's a list of players with reported and/or confirmed visits to the Badgers. Each player will have a link back to where it's being reported, so you can read more about it.
1. Iverson Hooks - WR - UAB
Hooks is one of the most coveted receivers in the portal. He's lined up visits to a slew of top programs. Wisconsin, Indiana, Oklahoma State, LSU, Auburn, Oregon, and Louisville. The Badgers get the first crack at him this weekend, according to On3.com.
2. Colton Joseph - QB - Old Dominion
Update: Colton Joseph has signed with the Badgers to be the next quarterback. Joseph is one of the top quarterbacks in the transfer portal and a player who fits the Jeff Grimes system perfectly. Multiple outlets are reporting that Joseph is starting his visit today, but Greg Biggins of On3.com may have been first.
3. Carson Van Dinter - S - Iowa State
Update: He committed to Wisconsin on his visit. Van Dinter is a Wisconsin native, but ended up at Iowa State. With the coaching change from Matt Campbell (as he left for Penn State), the Cyclones have lost nearly 50 players. Wisconsin is hoping to bring this native home to be a Badger. Credit to Evan Flood of On3.com.
4. Will LeBlanc - DL - UTPB
Update: He has committed to West Virginia before visiting Wisconsin. LeBlanc is a big defensive lineman, at 6'5 and 290. He is a run stuffer and may not fill up the statsheet, but he knows his role and fills it. He had five tackles for loss and two sacks. One of the sports agents posted on X that he's visiting Wisconsin.
5. Dorian Thomas - TE - New Mexico
Thomas is listed as the second-best tight end in the portal, and he's one of Luke Fickell's top targets. He will be game-changing for the Badgers. Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports was the first on his visit to Wisconsin. He also plans to visit Florida, UCLA, and Cal. In a contrary report (from his agent), it looks like he may be skipping the Wisconsin visit.
6. Bryan Jackson - RB - USC
Jackson is going into his junior year, and he played rotational snaps for the Trojans. He would be a great mix into the stable for the Badgers. Evan Flood from On3.com is the one reporting on his visit to Wisconsin.
6. Anthony Hawkins - S - Villanova
This is one of the most listed reported visitor for Wisconsin, which means that the Badgers are probably pretty high on him, or he's really high on the Badgers or maybe both. He played in 7 games last season for the Wildcats as a sophomore. He's visiting on January 6th.
7. Joe Hjelle - DL - Tulsa
Hjelle played for Tulsa last season, and the 6'3, 300-pound defensive lineman was a running-stuffing big boy up front. He's got another visit lined up to Penn State, but Evan Flood has reported he's coming this weekend for the Badgers.
8. Kam Davis - RB - Florida State
Davis didn't play a ton last season for the Seminoles, but he did receive 8 carries for 51 yards and a touchdown. He's more excited for his potential and his change of pace compared to what Wisconsin has this season than anything. Evan Flood is on this one.
9. Jaylon Domingeaux - WR - SELU
Wisconsin loves these types of wide receivers in this portal this season. The ones that have proven they can dominate at a lower level and now have a chip on their shoulders to prove they are ready to explode at the Power 4. Domingeaux had 52 receptions, 857 yards, and 11 touchdowns last season. Jamarcus Fitzpatrick of a local TV channel near SELU is reporting this visit.
10. Lucas Simmons - OT - Florida State
Simmons is a former top 100 recruit and is still an exceptional offensive lineman. He has visits set up for Mississippi State, Georgia Tech, Georgia, JMU, and Wisconsin. Chris Hummer is the first to report this.
11. Eric Fletcher - CB - Oklahoma State
Update: Eric Fletcher has committed to Wisconsin. Wisconsin needs cornerbacks bad, this is the first reported visitor in this cycle. Evan Flood reported it first.
12. Ryan Schwendeman - TE - Southern Illinois
Updated: Schwendeman has committed to Wisconsin. Would come to Wisconsin as a senior but has two years of eligibility. Not necessarily a big passing presence, but did haul in 15 receptions for 191 yards and two touchdowns. His agent is the one who listed him as visiting Wisconsin.
13. Jacob Harris - TE - Bowling Green
Updated: Jacob Harris has committed to Wisconsin. Wisconsin is in heavy need for tight ends as they need a lot of help at the position, both in blocking and receiving. Chris Hummer is reporting this visit.
14. Tana Alo-Tupuola - OL/C - Georgia Tech
He actually reported this one himself on his X account and the visit is schedule for January 8.
15. Adam Trick - OLB - Miami (OH)
Trick is considered one of the best edge players in the portal. He had 59 tackles, 8.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and even an interception last season. He had two of those sacks against Wisconsin in the opening game of the season. He's planning to visit Tennessee, Florida, Texas Tech, and Wisconsin. Hayes Fawcett is reporting his visits.
16. Ethan Day - DL - North Texas
Day was one of the best defensive players for North Texas, who went 12-2 on the season. He had 53 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and four sacks. Allen Trieu of 24/7 Sports posted this one.
17. Lamont Lester - DL - Monmouth
Was a true freshman this last year and only appeared in one game. He's listed at 6'2 and 230. His sports agent posted his visit schedule here.
18. Braden Pegan - WR - Utah State
Pegan nearly had 1,000 last year, and he is listed as 16th 16th-best receiver in the portal by 24/7 Sports. Greg Biggins is the first to report his visit to Wisconsin publicly.
19. Abu Sama III - RB - Iowa State
Update: Wisconsin has picked up a commitment from Sama.
Other players rumored but unconfirmed or at least unpublished yet are RB Abu Sama from Iowa State, OL Blake Cherry from Arkansas, C/G Austin Kawecki from Oklahoma State, OL LJ Prudhomme from Arkansas, TE Luke Dehnicke from Minnesota-Duluth,