Roster turnover in college football is wild right now, and the Wisconsin Badgers are no exception. Heading into the 2026 season, their roster looks pretty different from just a year or two ago.
Everyone loves to talk about flashy new transfers, but honestly, it’s just as interesting to see where outgoing players land. Sometimes, the ones who leave end up making the most noise somewhere else. So, here are ten former Wisconsin football players worth keeping tabs on this fall—maybe one or two will surprise us.
Griffin: Massachusetts’ Top Receiving Option
Griffin, standing at 6-foot-4, flashed his potential at Boston College in 2022 and 2023. Strangely, he only got 19 snaps with the Badgers, which never really made sense given his size and knack for winning jump balls.
Now, he’s set to be Massachusetts’ go-to receiver in 2026. If he gets the targets, he could have a huge year.
O’Neill: Slot Receiver for Sam Houston
O’Neill was basically invisible at Wisconsin—a walk-on who never played a down in Madison. But he followed former Badgers OC Phil Longo to Sam Houston, and things changed in a hurry.
Last season, he caught 38 passes for 392 yards and a touchdown. At 5-foot-10, he’s expected to start in the slot for the Bearkats, and with Longo calling plays? He’ll get plenty of looks.
Edwards: Battling for Starting QB at North Carolina
Edwards, who started out at Maryland, never got a shot in Madison. He’s been fighting through a knee injury but is now in the mix for North Carolina’s starting QB job, going up against Texas A&M transfer Miles O’Neill.
People seem to think Edwards will win the job. He was dynamic enough with the Terps, so maybe he finally gets his moment.
Kekahuna: Shifty Slot Receiver
Kekahuna was stuck on some of the worst Wisconsin offenses in recent memory, and it just didn’t work out. Still, he’s a crazy-talented slot guy, and you have to wonder if reconnecting with Edwards at North Carolina might spark something.
Jones: LSU’s Decisive One-Cut Runner
Jones came in as a four-star but never got rolling at Wisconsin. LSU plans to rotate its running backs this fall, and Jones will be right in the mix with Harlem Berry and Cade Durham.
His one-cut style should fit perfectly in Baton Rouge. Could be a fun one to watch.
Brunner: Starting Offensive Lineman for Indiana
Brunner was easily Wisconsin’s best O-lineman last year, which earned him a shot with the defending champs. He’ll be starting in Bloomington under Bob Bostad, who knows how to get the best out of his guys.
Zachman: Cerebral Defensive Back
Zachman barely played for Wisconsin last season—just three games—but his absence was obvious in the secondary. He’s a former high school quarterback who just seems to know where to be, making him a great fit for Indiana’s defense.
Renfro: Experienced Center for Illinois
Renfro is set to start at center for Illinois after injuries derailed most of his Wisconsin career. He’s had a rough run health-wise, but when he’s on the field, his experience is tough to beat.
McIntosh: Primed for a Breakout Season
McIntosh looked the part physically but never cracked the Wisconsin rotation. After transferring to Central Michigan in 2024, he finally found his groove last fall with 31 catches, 422 yards, and three touchdowns.
Now, heading into his senior year, McIntosh seems set up for his best season yet. Maybe this is the breakout we’ve been waiting for.
Alliegro: Talented Linebacker for Ohio State
Alliegro found himself in a tough spot last season. He broke his arm during a loss to Ohio State.
Even so, he played another 70 snaps over three games while healing. The rise of Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano, though, pretty much signaled the end of his time in Madison.
Still, Alliegro’s got a ton of talent. He’s expected to bring real value to Ohio State’s linebacker corps.
If you want a detailed look at these players and what they might do this fall, check out the original article on Yahoo Sports.
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