Tight end Tanner Koziol decided to leave the Wisconsin Badgers without playing one game for them. The same is the case of wide receiver Mark Hamper.
Koziol entered his name in the transfer portal after the 2024 season wherein he had a productive season with Ball State. He joined the Badgers on December 15, becoming their second transferee.
Hamper, on the other hand, is a redshirt freshman from Idaho. He is a four-star transfer prospect predicted to play huge role under Fickell.
“Mark holds nothing but respect for the program, his coaches, and teammates at Wisconsin. As he now explores new opportunities to continue his development on and off the field, he does so with a deep sense of gratitude for his team in Madison,” his agent said.
Wisconsin Badgers’ woes pile up
Badgers head coach Luke Fickell, who is trying his best to bring back the team to its glory days, did not refer to them directly but his strong words about the latest departure of players have fans thinking it is his frustration talking.
“This isn’t for everybody, right?” Fickell said as quoted by Dillon Graff of Badger Notes.
“This is a grown-ass man’s league, and this is a grown man’s game. And if guys don’t understand that and this isn’t the right thing for them, it is what it is.”
Aside from Koziol and Hamper, Fickell and the rest of the Badgers coaching staff are dealt another major blow.
Kevin Heywood, the expected starting left tackle this season, suffered an ACL tear and is confirmed to be out for the rest of the season that hasn’t even started.
“That was one that’s going to be really difficult and tough, but it’s also part of the game,” Fickell said.
For more great Wisconsin sports content
Follow us @WiSportsHeroics for the latest and trending news about Packers, Brewers, Bucks, Marquette, and the rest of Wisconsin Sports. Stay updated by reading more of our Wisconsin Sports articles by clicking here and college basketball by clicking here!
