Wisconsin lands Ohio State CB who Ryan Day will regret losing in the portal

Luke Fickell dipped into his alma mater and grabbed one of their highest ceiling cornerbacks, Bryce West, out of the transfer portal. This is an elite pickup for so many reasons, and Ryan Day had high hopes for West going forward, which hopefully Wisconsin makes him pay for not investing in West and keeping him in Columbus.

West was a former 4-star recruit out of Cleveland, Ohio, and was a top-75 recruit in the 2024 class. He used his redshirt the first season and played this year for Ohio State. He will have three years left.

Bryce West has transferred from Ohio State to Wisconsin in a major pickup for Luke Fickell

Related: Wisconsin football transfer portal tracker: Who's out, in, and the speculation

The Badgers needed a major upgrade at defensive back, not just because they struggled in that aspect last season, but because they lost three after the season: Ricardo Hallman, Nyzier Fourqurean (actually before the season), and Geimere Latimer. They've now added four players via the portal, and all of them show amazing potential. The new defensive back coach, Robert Steeples, is on an insane run in this portal season.

He's added Bryce West, who may end up being the top cornerback on the roster. There's also Javan Robinson from Arizona State who could fight for that spot. There's also Cai Bates from Florida State, another young former 4-star recruit, oh, and there's high ceiling Eric Fletcher from Oklahoma State.

That's a great haul for the defensive back room, and Wisconsin may end up having not only an elite unit but a young unit that can grow together, for you can't forget about some of the other young defensive backs already on the roster, like Omillio Agard.

West may be the last CB added in the portal, but Luke Fickell still needs a couple of safeties unless one of these ends up being a safety. However, that feels unlikely, he will continue to dig and pull out talent.