The Wisconsin Badgers lost their starting running back to the portal in Dilin Jones, but have rebounded in an incredible way by adding three potential bell-cows to the backfield. The transfer portal has been great for Luke Fickell and Wisconsin, especially in the running back department. In so many ways, they've upgraded the room as a whole.
The latest addition is Nate Palmer from TCU. He's headed into his redshirt sophomore year, and he has the potential to be one of the main contributors next season. A former 3-star RB out of Texas who was listed as the 33rd best running back in his recruiting class, sat out his freshman year to preserve his redshirt. Then last season, he rushed 30 times for 139 yards.
BREAKING: TCU transfer RB Nate Palmer has Committed to Wisconsin, he tells @On3Sportshttps://t.co/RlUbB6EMhS pic.twitter.com/DcPYnZLajQ
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 8, 2026
Wisconsin adds Nate Palmer to the backfield out of TCU
Related: Wisconsin football transfer portal tracker: Who's out, in, and the speculation
Palmer is a 6'0 190 190-pound running back who is known for his speed and quickness. Ran track in high school, and his best events were the 100m and 200m sprints. He will add another layer to a crowded but talented running back room.
In the portal, Wisconsin has added potential starter Abu Sama III from Iowa State, Bryan Jackson from USC, and now Palmer. Those three are set to join Darion Dupree and Gideon Ituka, who both were featured in the running back rotation last season for Wisconsin.
It will be interesting to see how that room shakes out because it's full of talent. Sama has proven to be a capable starting back at Iowa State. Jackson is a former 3-star recruit who is known for being a bruiser-style back, and now Palmer, who's known for his quickness.
It's a room that clearly has intention behind it, and it's also a position group that often features injuries, but Wisconsin is making a case for being one of the deepest running back rooms in the Big Ten.