Wisconsin Football Cornerback Leaving, Headed to Transfer Portal

Mack joined the Wisconsin football team last offseason as a late portal addition to bolster the Badgers secondary. Initially, he planned to come in and contribute to a cornerback room led by Ricardo Hallman, Nyzier Fourqurean, Jason Maitre, and Alexander Smith. 

However, the NCAA denied Mack’s waiver for immediate eligibility, and Mack spent the year developing under Wisconsin Badgers position coach Paul Haynes instead. 

The 6-foot-1, 198-pound cornerback was formerly a pre-season All-Mountain West pick and has played 20 career games for the Air Force Academy. During his career, Mack has registered 69 tackles, four pass deflections, 2.5 TFLs, and an INT.

According to Pro Football Focus, Mack finished the 2022 season with a 64.3 grade (slightly above average) but is known for his physical style of play and being a sure tackler (78.2-high quality). 

Mack — a Maryland native — will have two years of eligibility remaining at his next stop.

How Michael Mack Leaving Impacts the Wisconsin Football Cornerback Room

While having more depth is always good, Michael Mack’s departure doesn’t change the Wisconsin football team’s cornerback plans for 2024. 

It was already a crowded room, with Ricardo Hallman and Nyzier Fourqurean back, plus the addition of RJ Delancy in the transfer portal. By all accounts, those will be the top three corners for the Badgers. 

Then consider that safety Austin Brown has been holding down the starting nickel role throughout the spring. Max Lofy also looks poised to play a role, so the route to snaps became murky at best. Jonus Duclona is also someone the Wisconsin football coaching staff is high on and is a candidate to see the field in some capacity.

The Badgers were carrying a large number of scholarship cornerbacks as it was, so Mack’s departure gives Luke Fickell and company some added flexibility to add to this roster in the portal at greater positions of need.