Wisconsin Football Secures Visit With Key Transfer Portal Target

Wisconsin football coaches are on the lookout for defensive line reinforcements in the portal, and the Badgers may have found a promising option in Grand Valley State transfer Jay’Viar Suggs.

Suggs, a defensive tackle, is set to check out the Badgers first-hand next week on an official visit. He’s been gaining attention from several programs in the portal, including Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas State, Arkansas, Indiana, Colorado State, Houston, and many other schools. 

As a junior, Suggs put up impressive numbers at Grand Valley State, recording 21.0 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, four pass deflections and a forced fumble. With two years of eligibility remaining, he could provide valuable depth to the Wisconsin football defensive line.

What’s more, Suggs has connections to the Badgers. He was a teammate of Wisconsin football senior cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean at Grand Valley State, and he’s familiar with current outside linebackers coach Matt Mitchell, who coached him from 2019 to 2022. Mitchell likely has valuable insights into Suggs’ abilities and potential fit within the Badgers’ defense.

Suggs picked up a scholarship offer from Wisconsin’s coaching staff on Thursday. His potential addition would make a lot of sense as an addition to EJ Whitlow’s defensive line room. 

As it stands, the Wisconsin football team has had James Thompson Jr. and Curt Neal running with the first team throughout spring practice. Behind them has primarily been Albany transfer Elijah Hills, Ben Barten, and Cade McDonald. Promising young players, such as Ernest Willor Jr. and Jamel Howard, have also been pushing for snaps. 

Given the departure of TJ Bollers, who transferred to Cal Berkley, the Badgers staff appears motivated to add another player to this group.