The Wisconsin football team will not shy away from a substantial roster overhaul this offseason. This season, Wisconsin went 5-7, failing to earn bowl eligibility for the first time since 2001, snapping a 23-year long streak. Offensively, the Wisconsin Badgers finished in the bottom half of the Big Ten regarding points and yards. Conversely, they surrendered 23 points per game, their most since the 2008 season. However, with one of the best FCS defensive backs entering the transfer portal on Monday, many Wisconsin football fans have set their sights on a quick upgrade in the secondary.
North Dakota State Bison All-American safety Cole Wisniewski entered the transfer portal on Monday. The Wisconsin Badgers faithfully jumped to social media, calling for the Big Ten program to offer Wisniewski immediately.
Wisconsin Football Fans Clamor For FCS Star Safety
According to Hayes Fawcett on Twitter:
North Dakota State All-American safety Cole Wisniewski has entered the transfer portal, @chris_hummer, and I have learned for @cbssports/ @247Sports.
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Wisniewski has 194 career tackles, including 92 tackles, along with eight interceptions in 2023.
A two-star recruit from Sparta, Wisconsin, Cole Wisniewski committed to play for FCS power North Dakota State in 2020. He also held offers from South Dakota State, Wyoming, Air Force, Navy, and Northern Illinois. Wisniewski missed this season after undergoing foot surgery last summer. In 2023, the safety recorded 88 total tackles, eight interceptions, five passes defended, a forced fumble, and a touchdown. He has 194 career tackles.
A former linebacker, Wisniewski earned consensus first-team All-American honors in 2023. He has also played in two FCS national titles with NDSU, winning one. Meanwhile, Wisconsin football fans are eying the Wisco native as a potential addition to the secondary next season:
Go Badgers!
— Wisconsin Golf Guy (@pqgolf) December 2, 2024
BADGER
— Will Siegel (@willseagull_) December 2, 2024
#OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/1v4XziQBVp
— Scoobie227 (@Scoobie_227) December 2, 2024
Badger
— nathandodge (@Badgerfan26) December 2, 2024
Yktm 👀 pic.twitter.com/xFBIAwSLqv
— Max Klesmits Arm Sleeve (@klesmits_sleeve) December 2, 2024
Would replace Wohler well
— Clarno (@clarnowisconsin) December 2, 2024
#OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/ZvddFPamGM
— Donte Hadler (@DonteHadler) December 2, 2024
Time to come home pic.twitter.com/8BwfFvWc9F
— Jay (@GreenBay_Jay) December 2, 2024
White safety https://t.co/T565J0YidK pic.twitter.com/f2rcfYVYyT
— tweater (@JacobyTweets) December 2, 2024
https://t.co/TekmYn6atN pic.twitter.com/OeIXV5lrEw
— Darnell (@Tomthegoat51) December 2, 2024
(THIS IS) Sparta native https://t.co/g9NceTVkIo
— Jake Kocorowski (@JakeKoco) December 2, 2024
Wisniewski Would Add Much-Needed Secondary Help
Last season, their second under head coach Luke Fickell and defensive coordinator Mike Tressel, Wisconsin football, allowed opposing passers to complete 63% of their passes. They struggled against top-tier competition to begin the season, with Alabama Crimson Tide signal-caller going 12-for-17 for 196 yards and three touchdowns in a mid-September tilt. The following week, USC’s Miller Moss went 30-of-45 for 308 yards and three touchdowns. However, they did keep Oregon superstar quarterback Dillon Gabriel scoreless in a near late-season upset.
The safety duo of Hunter Wohler (the team’s leading tackler) and Preston Zachman have just finished their senior seasons, opening the door for Wisconsin football to pursue Cole Wisniewski in the transfer portal.
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