Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell has significantly strengthened his offense through the December transfer portal by adding a noteworthy asset in both size and capability. Standing at 6’7” and weighing 240 pounds, tight end Tanner Koziol, who recently joined the Badgers from Ball State in the Mid-American Conference, provides a versatile option for the team’s playbook.
A two-star recruit from La Grange, Illinois, Koziol began his college journey at Ball State under head coach Mike Neu, recording 69 catches for 668 yards and 10 touchdowns during his first two seasons. In his junior year, Koziol emerged as one of the top tight ends nationwide, ranking fifth among all pass catchers and second among tight ends with 94 receptions, totaling 839 yards and 8 touchdowns. According to Pro Football Focus, he earned an impressive 89.2 player grade, making him the third-best tight end in the country for 2024.
In a conversation with 247Sports, Koziol described his transfer as a “dream,” noting that playing close to home helped it feel familiar:
“All the people really made it feel like home. It’s only two hours away from home. Growing up in the Midwest, the Big Ten has always been a dream. The coaches made it feel like a really good situation.”
In 2024, he was honored as a First-Team Group of Five All-American and was a semi-finalist for the John Mackey Award, presented annually to the top tight end in the nation. His departure from Ball State poses challenges for the program, particularly following the exits of starting quarterback Kadin Semonza and top receivers Cam Pickett and Justin Bowick, who together accounted for nearly 60% of the Cardinals’ receiving yards in 2024.
Koziol’s commitment is part of a larger trend, as Wisconsin’s recent 5-7 season led to a substantial 25 players entering the transfer portal. In December alone, 16 new players have joined the Badgers.
Key additions from the portal for Wisconsin include quarterback Braedyn Locke, who had a 3-7 starting record this season, running back Tawee Walker (864 yards, 10 touchdowns), and wide receiver Will Pauling (42 receptions, 407 yards, 3 touchdowns).
**QUARTERBACK CONTROVERSY**
A primary concern for the Badgers is the quarterback situation. Braedyn Locke, who started 10 games after taking over the position in mid-September, has chosen to transfer to Arizona. Additionally, three other quarterbacks—Tyler Van Dyke, Cole LaCrue, and Mabrey Mettauer—have also expressed their intent to leave, though none have yet found new schools.
Despite these departures, the quarterback roster in Madison is becoming increasingly crowded. Milos Spasojevic is confirmed to return, two quarterbacks—Danny O’Neil from San Diego State and Billy Edwards Jr. from Maryland—have signed from the transfer portal, and two incoming freshmen, Carter Smith and Landyn Locke, will arrive in the spring. This busy spring will see Coach Fickell working to determine which quarterback will lead the Badgers come August.
