Quarterback Billy Edwards and safety Preston Zachman are among the former UW football players who entered the transfer portal and found new homes.
MADISON - As Wisconsin football fans turn their attention to the players the Badgers have signed out of the transfer portal, let’s not forget about the ones who left the program.
Twenty Badgers entered the portal. Some have already found news homes.
Here is where everyone stands. Be sure to check back for updates.
These former Wisconsin Badgers have found new homes
Linebacker Tackett Curtis (Central Florida)
By signing with the Knights, Curtis reunited with Alex Grinch, who was the defensive coordinator at USC when Curtis (6-2, 235) played there in 2023 and the co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Wisconsin in 2024. The Knights will need to replace linebacker Cole Kozlowski, who ranked second on the team in tackles and tackles for a loss. Overall three of Central Florida's top four players in the linebacker two-deep completed their eligibility.
Quarterback Billy Edwards (North Carolina)
Committing to the Tar Heels almost brings Edwards’ college career full circle. He spent his freshman year in Winston-Salem, N.C., at Wake Forest and will finish 80 miles away Chapel Hill where he will play for NFL legend Bill Belichick.
Edwards (6-3, 228) played just 34 snaps for Wisconsin due to a left knee injury that is expected be healed by the time spring practice begins. The path to starting appears clear. The Athletic reported Jan. 5 that the Tar Heels’ 2025 starter, Gio Lopez, will enter the transfer portal.
Edwards has career totals of 3,455 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. His pass efficiency rating is 126.8.
Receiver Trech Kekahuna (North Carolina)
Kekahuna, who will be a redshirt junior in 2026, joins a team that is looking to add some pop to an offense that ranked 129th out of 134 teams in FBS and has 109th in passing offense. The 5-10, 185-pound slot receiver has big play potential, but it wasn’t unlocked at Wisconsin where he caught 55 passes for 614 yards, an 11.2-yard average, and two touchdowns.
Defensive back Geimere Latimer (West Virginia)
It’s no surprise the Badgers' starting nickel corner landed in Morgantown. That is where his younger brother, prized freshman running back Amari Latimer signed during the early signing period after giving the Badgers an oral commitment in June. The Mountaineers have a need at cornerback and Latimer (5-10, 191) is coming off a solid season. He played in every game and finished with 28 tackles, 17 solos, with one forced fumble. He has one year of eligibility remaining.
Center Jake Renfro (Illinois)
The 6-4, 313-pounder's move to Champaign for his seventh season makes sense. His hometown is Mokena, Ill., which is just outside of Chicago and the Fighting Illini have a need at the position as the team’s starter this season, Josh Kreutz, completed his eligibility. Renfro played in just four games this season due to injury and is expected to receive a medical redshirt.
Safety Preston Zachman (Indiana)
A lot of former Badgers have found success with the Hoosiers. Don’t be surprised if Zachman adds to that list. The 6-1, 212-pound safety missed the final nine games of this season due to a lower leg injury. He’ll bring 34 games of experience to Bloomington where he could be a replacement for Louis Moore, a first-team all-Big Ten selection who completes his eligibility this season.
Wisconsin Badgers looking for a new home
Christian Alliegro, linebacker
Tucker Ashcraft, tight end
Kyan Berry-Johnson, receiver
Atticus Bertrams, punter
Joseph Griffin, receiver
Eugene Hilton Jr., receiver
Jamel Howard, defensive line
Dilin Jones, running back
Remington Moss, safety
Cody Raymond, outside linebacker
Angel Toombs, outside linebacker
Antarron Turner, linebacker
Ernest Willor, outside linebacker
Cade Yacamelli, running back
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Where the Wisconsin Badgers in the transfer portal landed
Category: General Sports