Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell is shown during the third quarter of the game against Middle Tennessee Saturday, September 6, 2025 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Transfer Portal 2026: Incoming Wisconsin Badgers commits

Originally posted on Wisconsin Badgers on SI
By Benjamin Worgull | Last updated Jan 5, 2026 8:28 AM ET

MADISON, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin watched as 20 of its players announced they were leaving the program in search of more playing time, better opportunities, or better NIL deals.

This weekend, it was finally the Badgers turn, and Luke Fickell and his staff got to work.

With the opening of the transfer portal on Friday and hosting multiple official visitors, the Badgers landed commitments from nine players from the transfer portal with multiple more spots available.

It's still early in the process (the portal closes on Jan.16), but Wisconsin has already put together a transfer portal class that ranks in the top five.

If you missed any of the news over the weekend, the team at Badgers on SI has you covered.

Edge Rusher Justus Boone

Measurables: 6-4/278
Previous School: Florida/Arkansas
Eligibility Remaining: One
Notable Stats: Saw action in 12 games with three starts last season, tallying 28 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one pass breakup and three quarterback hurries

Story: Wisconsin Badgers sign former 4-star SEC edge rusher in transfer portal

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Tight End Jacob Harris

Measurables: 6-4/255
Previous School: Bowling Green
Eligibility Remaining: Two
Notable Stats: Appeared in all 12 games, starting in three of them last season. He finished with 19 catches, 182 yards and five touchdowns on the year.

Story: Wisconsin Badgers land transfer tight end who fits perfectly in Jeff Grimes' system

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Inside Linebacker Jon Jon Kamara

Measurables: 6-4/230
Previous School: Kansas
Eligibility Remaining: Three
Notable Stats: Played in all 12 games, starting three at linebacker. He totaled 13 tackles (5 solo, 8 assisted) on the season, along with 1.5 tackles-for-loss, and an assisted sack.

Story: Wisconsin Badgers land rising Big 12 linebacker in the transfer portal

Let’s do it! pic.twitter.com/47I4Ndx2dB
— Jon Jon Kamara (@JKamara_28) January 5, 2026

Center Austin Kawecki

Measurables: 6-4/300
Previous School: Oklahoma State
Eligibility Remaining: One
Notable Stats: Kawecki started 10 games at center (658 snaps) and one at right guard (52 snaps) this past season.

Story: Wisconsin Badgers land new center from Big 12 for transfer QB Colton Joseph

Jump around! pic.twitter.com/RnmVn9LTST
— Austin (@AustinKawecki) January 4, 2026

Wide receiver Shamar Rigby

Measurables: 6-3/190
Previous School: Purdue/Oklahoma State
Eligibility Remaining: Two
Notable Stats: Rigby finished with 25 catches for 351 yards and a touchdown in 2025, including three games with 50 or more receiving yards. He didn't register a drop on 42 targets.

Story: Wisconsin Badgers add big-bodied wide receiver for new QB Colton Joseph in transfer portal

Let’s work!@BadgerFootball pic.twitter.com/AKQ7Y5xlSQ
— Shamar (Mar) Rigby (@Shamarrigby1) January 4, 2026

Running back Abu Sama

Measurables: 5-11/210
Previous School: Iowa State
Eligibility Remaining: One
Notable Stats: Sama rushed 140 times for 732 yards and five touchdowns during the 2025 season. Over his three seasons with Iowa State, he accumulated 1,933 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns while averaging 5.6 yards per carry.

Story: Wisconsin Badgers earn commitment from elite transfer portal running back

Abu Sama if you can hear me. pic.twitter.com/8f0cWGYWOO
— (@IowaStateNation) December 24, 2025

Tight end Ryan Schwendeman

Measurables: 6-5/245
Previous School: Southern Illinois
Eligibility Remaining: Two
Notable Stats: 15 receptions for 191 yards and two touchdowns in 2025.

Story: Wisconsin Badgers fill out tight end room with highly touted transfer

Southern Illinois TE Ryan Schwendeman has signed with Wisconsin, his rep @AlecEaston of @nilsonsports tells @TomLoy247, @mzenitz and me.

The 6-foot-5, 245-pound TE had interest from over a dozen P4 programs. Huge get for the Badgers.https://t.co/Xy6dZ1K856 pic.twitter.com/GZb32vbGkF
— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) January 4, 2026

Safety Carson Van Dinter

Measurables: 6-3/210
Previous School: Iowa State
Eligibility Remaining: Three
Notable Stats: Saw action in 11 games. Registered 18 tackles, one pass breakup and a half tackle for loss.