Wisconsin Badgers running backs coach Devon Spalding joins rival B1G staff 1 Oct 11, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell leads his team out of the tunnel at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ross Harried-Imagn Images

Wisconsin Badgers land final transfer wide receiver in Zion Kearney

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics
By Jarrett Guerrera | Last updated Jan 19, 2026 9:49 PM ET

The Wisconsin Badgers staff added another commitment at wide receiver who will likely be the final addition to the room ahead of the 2026 season.

Oklahoma Sooners’ wide receiver Zion Kearney announced his commitment to the Badgers out of the transfer portal. Kearney spent two seasons with the Sooners before ultimately entering the portal in search of an expanded role with a different program.

Kearney was a four-star wide receiver prospect coming out of Fort Bend Hightower (TX) in the 2024 class. The recruit earned the 91st overall ranking in the class. Programs like Auburn, Arkansas, Indiana, LSU, TCU, and Texas A&M offered the wide receiver out of high school before Kearney put pen to paper with Oklahoma.

As a true freshman in 2024 the 6-foot-1, 207-pound wide receiver played in 11 games for the Sooners while recording eight receptions for 128 yards and one touchdown. Kearney recorded his first career touchdown against Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl to end the season.

The 2025 season promised a potentially larger role within the offense for Kearney early, but the season did not play out in favor of the wide receiver. Kearney recorded two receptions for 31 yards while playing in five games for the Sooners. The offense struggled at times and the receiving room suffered injuries, but Kearney did not manage to see much of the field.

The wide receiver took a step away from the action during the 2025 season, and ultimately entered the transfer portal in search of an expanded role.

Wisconsin Badgers Add Oklahoma Transfer Wide Receiver Zion Kearney

Wisconsin Badgers' Prominent Class of 2028 Target JJ Chapman Thinks He Had Impressive Stint in Front of Coaches, Says He Will Be Back 4 Wisconsin wide receivers coach Kenny Guiton is shown during the second quarter of their game Saturday, October 5, 2024 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat Purdue 52-6.

After entering the transfer portal, a familiar face helped recruit Kearney once again and the wide receiver settled on joining the Badgers. Wisconsin quarterbacks coach Kenny Guiton previously spent time as the wide receivers coach and held the same role with Arkansas. Guiton was the primary connection between the Razorbacks and Kearney when recruiting the athlete out of high school.

Kearney will join the Badgers with two years of eligibility remaining alongside fellow transfer receivers Jaylon Domingeaux (SE Louisiana), Shamar Rigby (Oklahoma State), and Malachi Coleman (Minnesota). The Badgers will notably return rising sophomore Eugene Hilton Jr. next season as well who should receive an increased amount of snaps.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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