Wisconsin's Investment in Football Baffles Amid Fickell's Transfer Portal Struggles

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Chris McIntosh’s recent public letter to Wisconsin Badgers fans has really stirred up debate and criticism. The team has struggled, sitting at 2-5 and failing to score in back-to-back games.

Still, McIntosh stands firmly behind head coach Luke Fickell. He’s promised more investment in the program, hoping that’ll help Wisconsin compete at the highest level.

But does this strategy actually work, especially when it comes to keeping and landing players through the transfer portal? It’s hard to say for sure.

Table of Contents

The State of Wisconsin Badgers Football

The Badgers have had a rough season. A string of losses and back-to-back scoreless games have left fans and analysts frustrated.

Even with these setbacks, Athletic Director Chris McIntosh has publicly backed head coach Luke Fickell. He says the coaches need more resources, especially when it comes to keeping and bringing in players through the transfer portal.

Transfer Portal Successes and Failures

Since taking over, Luke Fickell and his staff have brought in 39 transfers. But honestly, the misses seem to outnumber the hits, especially if you don’t count the guys Fickell brought from Cincinnati.

Some transfers have worked out pretty well, though:

Reiger: Missed the 2024 season with a leg injury, but in 2025 he’s become one of the Big Ten’s top pass rushers.
Hills: Came over from Albany for 2024 and quickly became Wisconsin’s best interior defensive lineman.
Walker: Took over as the main offensive weapon after Chez Mellusi left, putting up solid numbers even when defenses dared Wisconsin to throw.
Cheeks: Emerged as a top edge rusher in 2025, averaging close to 30 snaps a game.
Fourqurean: Despite some eligibility drama with the NCAA, he made a real impact after transferring from Division II Grand Valley State.

Notable Misses

Of course, not every transfer has worked out. Here are some that just didn’t pan out:

Heinzen: Asked to replace Kevin Heywood at left tackle but lasted just a week in the role.
O’Neil: Got early playing time but was benched for Southern Illinois transfer Hunter Simmons.
Lowery: Was solid at Syracuse, but struggled on Wisconsin’s defensive line in 2024 and then transferred to Illinois.
Delancy: Had a great junior year at Toledo but didn’t make much noise for Wisconsin.
Evers: Came in to compete for a backup spot but never saw the field and ended up at Connecticut.
Locke: Couldn’t get it going as a backup and left after Phil Longo was fired.
Varner: Dominated at Temple in 2022 but barely played at Wisconsin before moving on.
Pietrowski: Came from Michigan State after an injury-shortened season but didn’t record a sack in 2023.
Koziol: Was supposed to be a big get in the 2025 transfer class, but he jumped back into the portal during spring.
Hamper: Left just months after joining out of the winter portal. That one felt abrupt.

The Impact of NIL Money

McIntosh has promised more investment in the program, including a boost in NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) money. That should help attract better talent, at least in theory.

But is money alone enough to fix Wisconsin football? The team’s issues aren’t just about resources—player development and game strategy matter just as much, maybe more.

Quarterback Woes

The quarterback spot has been a real headache for the Badgers. In 2024, they started 2-0, then Tyler Van Dyke tore his ACL and everything went sideways.

Since then, Billy Edwards hasn’t managed to finish a game in 2025. The Badgers picked Edwards over Beau Pribula, who left Penn State for Missouri and now has them ranked 15th with a 6-1 record.

That decision hasn’t exactly made things easier for Fickell. People are definitely questioning it.

Conclusion

More NIL money and resources seem like a step forward for the Wisconsin Badgers. But honestly, they’re not some magic fix for the team’s struggles.

The transfer portal has given the team mixed results. The quarterback position still feels like a big question mark.

People are going to watch closely to see if these investments actually pay off as the season goes on. If you want to dig deeper, check out the full article on the state of the Wisconsin Badgers football program here.

Joe Hughes is the founder of CollegeNetWorth.com, a comprehensive resource on college athletes' earnings potential in the NIL era. Combining his passion for sports with expertise in collegiate athletics, Joe provides valuable insights for athletes, fans, and institutions navigating this new landscape.

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