Dec 29, 2022; Bronx, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange linebacker Leon Lowery (16) celebrates a defensive stop during the first half of the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
The Wisconsin Badgers have landed a highly coveted player from the transfer portal. With the ongoing debate of how best to build a roster, whether through mostly recruiting, or focusing on transfers, Wisconsin has elected to fill another roster spot with a transfer player from a power five school who had multiple offers.
Wisconsin Badgers Win Over Linebacker Recruit
The former Syracuse player, having recently entered the transfer portal with the firing of former head coach Dino Babers, did not take long to announce the Wisconsin Badgers as his new landing destination. Sunday evening, Leon Lowery Jr. announced his decision on X in a post.
Badgers fans stand up!!!!!!! #committed @BadgerFootball
Oct 15, 2022; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange linebacker Leon Lowery (right) sacks North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback MJ Morris (16) in the second quarter at JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
This announcement came despite having interest and offers from an impressive list of schools. Some of the interested programs included; Oregon State, Baylor, California, Georgia Tech, and Houston. Despite having visits to other programs, after a weekend visit to Madison, the coaching staff had done enough for Lowery to be convinced to call Wisconsin home for the remainder of his college career.
The hard hitting, versatile defender, with a huge motor will be a nice asset for Luke Fickell to utilize on defense in the new Big Ten next year for the Wisconsin Badgers.
Prior To Joining The Wisconsin Badgers
From Elizabeth, New Jersey, Lowery has been a member of the Syracuse football program for four years. As a true freshman, he played limited snaps during the Covid year. This followed with a second limited year that allowed him to redshirt, preserving a year of eligibility.
As a redshirt freshman, his third year, he played more. As a redshirt freshman he saw a significant uptick in snaps in a reserve roll. But it was during this offseason, prior to the 2023 season that he had showed great improvement and then played as the starting weakside linebacker for the Syracuse Orange defense. It is the time and dedication spent in the offseason that allowed Lowery to earn a starting position on a power five defense. This showing also enabled him to be as highly sought after as he was in the transfer portal.
Sep 23, 2023; Syracuse, New York, USA; Army Black Knights quarterback Bryson Daily (13) runs between Syracuse Orange defensive lineman Caleb Okechukwu (4) and linebacker Leon Lowery (16) in the second quarter at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King (10) is tackled by Syracuse Orange linebacker Leon Lowery (9) and defensive lineman Kevon Darton (0) in the second half at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Dino Babers rewarded Lowery with a single digit jersey number midway through the season, an honor reserved normally just for hardworking starters in the program. With someone with Leroys’ skillset, approach, and attitude, it was a no brainer for the Wisconsin badgers to pursue him once he was made available in the transfer portal.
Dino Babers, the head coach for Syracuse football, earns a reported annual salary of 3.5 million, following a contract extension signed in 2018 which boosted his earnings from 2.1 million.
Dino Babers' football coaching record at Syracuse University stands at 41 wins and 55 losses overall. Within ACC conference play, Babers' record was 20-45 during his eight-season tenure with the Orange.
Dino Babers attended college at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where he played football before eventually embarking on a coaching career. This educational background laid the foundation for his successful tenure as a head coach at various universities.
Gabriel S Esparza graduated from Syracuse University with a Masters in Education. Currently living in upstate New York, he is originally from El Paso, Texas and is a follower of all things related to football, basketball, soccer, and combat sports.