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Wisconsin Football Commitment Watch: Impressive 2026 Safety Sets Announcement Date 1 Sep 10, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers fans cheer during the fourth quarter against the Washington State Cougars at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Wisconsin Badgers: Transfer Tight End Quickly Up to Speed Ahead of 2025 Season

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics
By Jarrett Guerrera | Last updated Aug 4, 2025 9:32 PM ET

The Wisconsin Badgers needed to desperately add to the tight end room after suddenly losing the projected starter to the transfer portal.

Previously, the Wisconsin staff landed top ranked tight end transfer Tanner Koziol, a former Ball State standout, but Koziol announced he would again transfer after 15 practices with the Badgers. Losing Koziol both hurt the program from a talent perspective and also left a major hole in the offense at a position of need that has struggled to produce in recent history.

Wisconsin threw for 2,360-yards a season ago and tight ends accounted for just 187-yards and one touchdown. The Badgers have not had a tight end break 200-yards receiving in a single season since Jake Ferguson did so in 2021 with the program, recording 46 receptions, 450-yards, and three touchdowns.

The Badgers had to act quickly to fill the void left by the exit of Koziol, who many analysts felt could have brought more production to the room. With limited talent left in the transfer portal, Wisconsin managed to find a replacement and now the new starter ready is to play for ahead of the upcoming season.

Wisconsin Badgers Tight End Lance Mason Adapting to Madison, New Offense Quickly

Impressive 2027 Wisconsin Football In-State Target Hints at First Program List 3 Nov 29, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers mascot Bucky Badger performs prior to the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

The man Wisconsin landed on ended up being Missouri State transfer Lance Mason, a talented vertical threat that should find similar success within the Badgers offense. Mason recorded 34 receptions, 590-yards, and six touchdowns a season ago before announcing his intentions of entering the transfer portal.

The tight end also scored a touchdown in each season prior to his breakout year with the Missouri State program, and will now finish off his final collegiate season with the Badgers. Mason previously played in a spread offense and will not serve the exact same role within the Wisconsin offense, but the receiving talent of the tight end will still be called upon.

Despite joining the program late, tight ends coach Nate Letton recently stated after practice that Mason has been surprisingly quick on and off the field since joining the program and the tight end is already up to speed. Letton and offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes will be leaning upon Mason during the upcoming season as the tight end is going to be a vital part of the new offense. Getting Mason up to speed had been a priority and now the talented athlete is on track to make an impact for the Wisconsin Badgers during the upcoming season.

Wisconsin Badgers Football: WR Trech Kekahuna Details Crazy Day He Almost Got A New Team For His 3rd Year - 'I Was Leaning Towards One School' 3 Wisconsin offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes is shown during spring football practice Wednesday, April 23, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin.Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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

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