The Wisconsin Badgers continue with what appears to be a complete overhaul of their 2025 roster. As the NCAA transfer portal becomes a major player in college sports, the Badgers aren’t the only school undergoing significant changes from year to year, even if it’s necessary this time around. This time, according to multiple reports, including X’s own statement, the Wisconsin Badgers have acquired a commitment from Grambling State defensive lineman Micheal Garner.
318–>608…✞ #badgerdown pic.twitter.com/WF1QVtA1CB
— Micheal Garner (@TheRealGMikey) December 22, 2024
Micheal Garner will join the Wisconsin Badgers, continuing a busy offseason
Garner, a 6-foot-1, 280-pound lineman, brings size and potential to a defense that is undergoing a major overhaul. He is the fifth player the Wisconsin Badgers have added through the transfer portal this cycle. This came after the additions of Tulane’s Parker Petersen, Western Michigan’s Corey Walker, Louisville’s Mason Reiger and UT-Martin’s Charles Perkins.
After a impoverished performance in 2024, Luke Fickell wants to completely change the trajectory of the program. Garner will be the 14th member of the Wisconsin Badgers’ 2025 roster, and there’s definitely more to come.
Garner has attracted interest from several programs, including Colorado, Coastal Carolina and UAB. However, the Wisconsin Badgers performed well enough, and Garner’s official visit sealed his addition to a program that needs a forceful 2025 after several years of downward trends and experimentation, especially on the offensive side.
What Michael Garner brings to the Badgers
Garner gives the Badgers the credentials and plenty of athleticism that also comes with being a high-level basketball prospect. Combined with the strength they want on the defensive line, Garner makes a ton of sense for the Wisconsin Badgers. He is versatile enough to potentially play as a stand-up striker if the coaching staff decides to push him in that direction.
Garner redshirted in 2023 and saw constrained playing time last season as a freshman. He had 11 tackles, including six solo, with two sacks and a forced fumble. He has three years of eligibility remaining.
Garner was a three-star recruit out of Bloom High School in Chicago Heights, IL. Before joining Grambling, he had offers from Eastern Illinois, Central Michigan, Miami (OH), Navy and Tennessee State. Now, after a year of constrained playing time, he has the opportunity to step onto the Big Ten scene.
The Badgers also acquired a key player at the quarterback position, including Billy Edwards Jr. from Maryland and Danny O’Neil from San Diego State. With the firing of offensive coordinator Phil Longo and the addition of his replacement in Jeff Grimes, the Wisconsin Badgers are facing a complete rebuild after fans demanded that Luke Fickell lose his job last season.
While the Badgers head coach is likely sheltered after signing a contract extension in January 2024 that is expected to run through 2031, fans can be excited about this version of Wisconsin football.
According to 247Sports, this Wisconsin Badgers transfer class ranks 10th in the nation and there is still work to be done to round out the roster.
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