The transfer portal is back open, and the Wisconsin football coaches now have a better idea of the Badgers’ needs heading into the 2024 season after the initial spring practice sessions.
The Badgers’ first known transfer portal offer of the spring window went to former Kent State defensive lineman CJ West. Within hours of entering the portal, West also picked up scholarship offers from Arkansas, Rutgers Colorado, Kansas State, Miami, LSU, and Indiana.
West, a 6-foot-2, 315-pound defensive lineman, played the last four seasons for Kent State. As a senior, registering 40 tackles, 14 pressures, 7.0 TFLs, two sacks, and a forced fumble.
According to Pro Football Focus, West finished with an 85.9 overall grade, which is considered elite by their metric, while playing 484 snaps.
Although West hasn’t been in the transfer portal for very long, he shared with Badgernotes that he intends to visit the Wisconsin football coaches and the city of Madison in the near future.
Badgers defensive line coach EJ Whitlow has his work cut out for him in his first season with the Wisconsin football team. His room returns one proven starter in James Thompson Jr., plus some rotational guys like Curt Neal and Ben Barten.
“Toughness, physicality, grit, and just that relentless violent effort,” Whitlow said of what he’ll bring to the Badgers. “That’s one thing we’re going to hang our hat on. We’re going to be tough and nasty up front and hunt the ball.”
The staff also added Albany transfer Elijah Hills in the last portal window. Still, it’s clear the Wisconsin Badgers need another impact player at the position, so younger options like Jamel Howard and Ernest Willor don’t need to be counted on for heavy snaps early in their careers.
This is far from the last defensive lineman the Wisconsin football coaching staff will monitor in the coming weeks, but it’s easy to see the fit.
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