The spring transfer portal window officially opened today, April 16. Wisconsin is sure to be active as it makes a final push to bolster its roster entering the 2025 season.

Most notably, the Badgers enter the period with significant needs on the offensive side of the football. While the team seemingly aced the winter portal window, just in the last few days it lost starting left tackle Kevin Heywood to a torn ACL, and starting tight end Tanner Koziol (reportedly) and top depth wide receiver Mark Hamper to the portal.

Both Koziol and Hamper were headliners of Wisconsin’s winter transfer class. As is the case in the current era of college football, winter commitments are nowhere close to guaranteed to be on the roster in Week 1.

With those departures and Heywood’s long-term injury, the Badgers would do well to find a fill-in at left tackle and a dynamic starting tight end. Replacing those projected starters may be easier said than done, however, as the two projected to be among the offensive unit’s top three or four players.

The spring portal window will remain open until April 25. Players have until that date to enter, while those in the portal have unlimited time to commit to a new program.

As the transfer window continues, here is an up-to-date tracker on all of Wisconsin’s incoming and outgoing movement:

(Last update: April 16, 7:50 a.m ET)

OUT: Wide receiver Quincy Burroughs

Burroughs was one of Wisconsin’s first transfer additions of the Luke Fickell era back in 2023, as he followed the head coach from Cincinnati. The veteran played sparingly during his two years with the program, totaling just five catches, 43 receiving yards and five special teams tackles. He was again projected as a depth option at wide receiver entering 2025, with significant talent and competition ahead of him in the room.

Here is more on Burroughs’ departure.

OUT: Wide receiver Mark Hamper

Hamper joined Wisconsin this winter with significant fanfare. The rising sophomore was a Freshman All-American at the Football Championship Subdivision level in 2024, totaling 48 catches, 966 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Fellow winter transfer wide receiver Jayden Ballard has reportedly been a spring session standout, meaning Hamper was likely to enter the season as a primary depth option. That may have instigated his transfer decision.

Here is more on Hamper’s departure.

OUT: Tight end Tanner Koziol (not yet official)

Koziol transferred in this winter after several standout seasons at Ball State, including a 94-catch, 839-yard, 8-touchdown 2024 campaign. He projected to be one of Wisconsin’s top receiving threats as new coordinator Jeff Grimes transitioned the program back to a pro-style offense. After just four months with the program, Koziol is reportedly off to a new destination.

Tucker Ashcraft is the next up at tight end. The position should rise near the top of Wisconsin’s transfer pursuits, as Ashcraft has just 20 total catches, 168 yards and two touchdowns over the last two seasons. Due to the lack of a top-end backup option, Koziol was one player Wisconsin couldn’t afford to lose.

Here is more on Koziol’s departure.

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MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin offensive tackle Kevin Heywood is expected to miss all of the upcoming season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in spring practice.

Heywood, the Badgers’ projected starter at left tackle, hurt his knee in practice Thursday. Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell revealed the severity of the injury on Tuesday.

“That was one that’s going to be really difficult and tough, but it’s also part of the game,” Fickell said. “We’ve been fortunate up front in the last two seasons to have those guys prepared and be able to last through the season. Now we’re going to have to figure out how we’re going to manage some of that and move some other guys around and expect some other guys to step up, whether it’s Leyton Nelson, an Emerson Mandell, guys like that have got to step in.”

Wisconsin had benefited from remarkable stability on its offensive line during the first two years of Fickell’s tenure.

The Badgers had the same starting offensive line for each of its 12 games last year, with Jack Nelson at left tackle, Joe Brunner at left guard, Jake Renfro at center, Joe Huber at right guard and Riley Mahlman at right tackle. Brunner, Renfro and Mahlman are back this year.

Wisconsin also had the same starting offensive line for all 12 of its regular-season games in 2023, with Nelson at left tackle, Huber at left guard, Tanor Bortolini at center, Michael Furtney at right guard and Mahlman at right tackle. The only change that season came in the ReliaQuest Bowl loss to LSU, with Renfro getting to start after missing the entire regular season with an injury to his lower left leg.

Heywood was expected to take over this season for Nelson, who had started at left tackle each of the last three years. Heywood had participated in all 12 games for Wisconsin last year while playing special teams and making occasional appearances on offense.

His injury represents a setback for a Wisconsin team seeking to bounce back after its streak of 22 consecutive winning seasons and bowl appearances ended last year. The Badgers finished 5-7 last season and lost their final five games.

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – Governor Tony Evers, along with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), announced on Monday that 19 organizations will receive more than $3.2 million in Small Business Development Grants.

The money will be used to uplift small business development in local communities across the state.

“Wisconsin’s small businesses are the hearts of our communities and are important and powerful drivers of our state’s economy,” Gov. Evers said. “Now more than ever, it is critical that we do all we can to support the success of our state’s small businesses across our state. These investments we’re announcing today send a message that, here in Wisconsin, if you have a great business idea and the willingness to work hard to make it happen, our administration is here to support you and your good work. It’s that simple.”

WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes said this money will make a big difference for these communities.

“Small businesses play a vital role in creating the communities we live, work, and play in,” said Hughes. “But sometimes they need a little boost. With the help of our community partners, small businesses will be able to continue to thrive and contribute to our communities.”

Seven counties across southern Wisconsin received this grant. Below is a list of several of these areas:

• City of Beaver Dam: $50,000
  • The city will use these funds to expand their existing Downtown New Business Recruitment Grant and will provide $5,000 to brick-and-mortar businesses in the city.
• Villages of DeForest and Windsor | $250,000
  • These villages will partner to create a small business grant program to provide grants to businesses for repairs or upgrades.
• Green County Development Corporation | $60,000
  • The county will use the money to establish a two-pronged project, which will encourage entrepreneurship and create long-term small business support.

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