Like many teams nationwide, Wisconsin football is experiencing a wave of transfers following a non-bowl-eligible finish to the regular season. Last Friday, the Wisconsin Badgers fell at home, 24-7, finishing the year 5-7 and snapping a 23-year bowl streak. In the wake of the disappointing campaign, Wisconsin has already seen many players entering the transfer portal. Four players jumped for the portal on Tuesday, concluding with cornerback Jace Arnold.
Arnold, a three-star transfer recruit per 247Sports, is the ninth Badger to enter the portal since mid-November and eighth since the start of December. After his departure, Arnold spoke to The Athletic about leaving the program.
Ex-Wisconsin Football DB Jace Arnold Discloses Reasons For Transfer
- Sep 28, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell reacts against the Southern California Trojans in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
According to Wisconsin Badgers beat writer Jesse Temple of The Athletic:
Posting a quick exit interview with Wisconsin cornerback Jace Arnold, who is entering the transfer portal. He’s the fourth defensive back in the 2023 class to enter the portal in the last couple of days. None of them were earning significant playing time.
In the interview shared by Temple, the now-former Wisconsin football corner said he had conversations with the coaching staff and that they “did not see eye-to-eye on a couple of things.” Arnold emphasized no tension between the two parties but felt the urge to transfer mid-season following the team’s 28-13 loss to Penn State. Instead, Arnold points towards not earning a chance to play despite what he called posting several standout practices.
Despite leaving Wisconsin, Arnold believes the program is going in the right direction. More importantly, Arnold said he loved his time with the Big Ten program. Unfortunately, he feels much of the team did not buy into head coach Luke Fickell’s direction for the program.
Four Wisconsin DBs Enter Portal
This week, Jace Arnold is not the only Wisconsin football defensive back to enter the portal. Instead, he is the fourth, joining corners Amare Snowden, Jonas Duclona, and safety Justin Taylor. Arnold played in ten games, recording just one tackle, while Snowden appeared in two games, recording just one tackle. Meanwhile, Duclona had two tackles, and Taylor did not record any defensive statistics.
Joining the quartet of defensive backs in the transfer portal are defensive lineman Curt Neal, edge rusher Leon Lowery Jr., and quarterback Cole LaCrue. Neal and Lowery are the most significant losses thus far, recording 29 tackles each while combining for four TFLs.
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