Latest news with #JoeCotton
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wisconsin top transfer target, potential left tackle replacement commits elsewhere
Wisconsin transfer portal target Joe Cotton committed to Cincinnati on Friday. The former South Dakota left tackle was one of the portal's top available players at his position. Just three days ago, the Badgers, Cincinnati Bearcats and Oklahoma Sooners were listed as the three teams with a visit scheduled. They emerged from a large pack of top programs to express interest in the experienced offensive tackle. Advertisement Cotton commits to Cincinnati as a four-star transfer prospect, ranked specifically as the portal's No. 114 overall player and the No. 16 offensive tackle, those rankings including transfers from the winter window. He so with two years of eligibility remaining. Wisconsin is in search of both a starting option and depth at left tackle after projected starter Kevin Heywood went down with a season-ending ACL injury. Cotton figured to be a perfect fill-in at the position, as he started 27 consecutive games at left tackle over the last two seasons at South Dakota. His strong play earned a Football Championship Subdivision Freshman All-American selection in 2023, then a second-team All-Missouri Valley Conference honor this past season. The Badgers will now likely return to the drawing board, in search of much-needed stability at one of the most important positions on the field. The team still has time to do so, with the spring transfer window still in its early stages. Advertisement For more on Wisconsin's spring transfer additions and departures, bookmark out our 2025 spring window tracker. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football transfer portal target Joe Cotton Cincinnati commit
USA Today
19-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin top transfer target, potential left tackle replacement commits elsewhere
Wisconsin top transfer target, potential left tackle replacement commits elsewhere Wisconsin transfer portal target Joe Cotton committed to Cincinnati on Friday. The former South Dakota left tackle was one of the portal's top available players at his position. Just three days ago, the Badgers, Cincinnati Bearcats and Oklahoma Sooners were listed as the three teams with a visit scheduled. They emerged from a large pack of top programs to express interest in the experienced offensive tackle. Cotton commits to Cincinnati as a four-star transfer prospect, ranked specifically as the portal's No. 114 overall player and the No. 16 offensive tackle, those rankings including transfers from the winter window. He so with two years of eligibility remaining. Wisconsin is in search of both a starting option and depth at left tackle after projected starter Kevin Heywood went down with a season-ending ACL injury. Cotton figured to be a perfect fill-in at the position, as he started 27 consecutive games at left tackle over the last two seasons at South Dakota. His strong play earned a Football Championship Subdivision Freshman All-American selection in 2023, then a second-team All-Missouri Valley Conference honor this past season. The Badgers will now likely return to the drawing board, in search of much-needed stability at one of the most important positions on the field. The team still has time to do so, with the spring transfer window still in its early stages. For more on Wisconsin's spring transfer additions and departures, bookmark out our 2025 spring window tracker. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
USA Today
16-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin football reportedly in heavy pursuit of top transfer left tackle
Wisconsin football reportedly in heavy pursuit of top transfer left tackle South Dakota OT Joe Cotton has emerged as one of the most popular names in the transfer portal. His agency @QCSports tells @mzenitz and I he's set Cincinnati and Wisconsin visits. But many teams are reaching out to the portal's top available — Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) April 16, 2025 Wisconsin appears to be honing in on a potential replacement for injured starting left tackle Kevin Heywood. The program is among a large group to show interest in South Dakota transfer offensive tackle Joe Cotton, according to 247Sports' Chris Hummer. It is also one of two with an official visit scheduled, along with Cincinnati. Wisconsin is on Cotton's interest list with Alabama, Baylor, Cal, Cincinnati, Colorado, Florida, Georgia Tech, Iowa, Kansas, Kansas State, Louisville, Michigan, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Penn State, Purdue, Syracuse, Maryland, South Carolina, UCF, USC, Missouri, Vanderbilt and West Virginia. The former 2023 Football Championship Subdivision Freshman All-American and 2024 All-Missouri Valley Conference offensive tackle is one of the top players of the spring transfer window and the No. 1 uncommitted player at his position. His interest from top programs is no surprise, as players of his caliber at left tackle are rarely on the move at this stage of the offseason. Cotton originally committed to South Dakota as an unranked recruit in the class of 2022. He then redshirted as a true freshman before starting all 13 games at left tackle for the Coyotes in 2023, a season that finished with a FCS Freshman All-American honor. The 6-foot-7, 315-pound tackle continued that strong form in 2024, starting all 14 games at left tackle for South Dakota, including its Week 2 loss at Wisconsin. If he commits, Cotton would be a write-in starter for the Badgers at left tackle in 2025. The team recently saw projected starter and rising star sophomore Kevin Heywood go down with a season-ending ACL injury in spring practice. It is in the portal searching for his replacement, or at least looking to bolster a position that has suddenly become a major question. The Badgers are in a strong position to land the South Dakota transfer, given they are one of two teams already with a visit scheduled. With several high-profile offensive starters reportedly gone to the transfer portal, Luke Fickell and his staff would do well to close his recruitment with a commitment. The team needs positive roster momentum after a recent string of movement on the offensive side of the football. For more on Wisconsin's transfer additions and departures, check out our 2025 spring window tracker. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Big Ten Spotlight: Biggest portal needs in the spring transfer window
© Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The spring transfer window opens on Wednesday and college coaches, GMs and player personnel departments have already been scouring rosters, circling players they'd recruit if they decide to enter the transfer portal. Advertisement Beginning today with the Big Ten, Rivals will break down the portal priorities for each Power Four team. MORE BIG TEN: Panic meter for programs lagging behind in 2026 recruiting PORTAL PREDICTIONS: Hot positions, top programs, Joe Cotton MORE TRANSFER PORTAL: Latest news | Transfer search | Transfer Team Ranking | Football Player Ranking ILLINOIS Illinois was one of the better rushing offenses in the Big Ten last season and expect that style to carry over to this season. To help in that area, look for the Illini to work on adding at least one offensive lineman from the transfer portal. Also on offense, keep an eye on Illinois as a potential landing spot for a tight end. Defensive back will also likely be an area in which Illinois tries to add depth. Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH ILLINOIS FANS AT INDIANA Indiana won't sneak up on the college football world this season but it has a lot of work to do to field the same caliber of team as it did last year. The Hoosiers had a strong transfer portal class coming out of the winter window and they'll look to bring in more help this spring. Finding an edge rusher has been a top priority for Indiana and it'll continue to look for additional help at the receiver position this spring now that Tyler Morris, who just transferred in from Michigan, went down with a season-ending knee injury. Advertisement Giving former Cal star quarterback Fernando Mendoza more weapons remains top of mind for Indiana. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH INDIANA FANS AT IOWA The Hawkeyes made a big move earlier this transfer cycle by signing FCS star quarterback Mark Gronowski out of South Dakota State. Iowa also brought in quarterback Hank Brown, receiver Sam Phillips and defensive linemen Bryce Hawthorne and Jonah Pace. With just five transfers in this class, Iowa is likely to add a few more before all is said and done. Cornerback and at least one offensive lineman seem to be the likeliest positions Iowa's staff will address this spring. Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH IOWA FANS AT MARYLAND The Terps and head coach Mike Locksley are looking to bounce back from a four-win season and the transfer portal is supposed to help them take a big step in the right direction. This spring the Terps are expected to focus on adding help in the trenches. Adding experienced offensive and defensive linemen are priorities 1A and 1B for Maryland. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH MARYLAND FANS AT MICHIGAN Improving on offense will remain the focus for Michigan in the transfer portal. Adding offensive linemen who can protect star freshman Bryce Underwood is right at the top of the priority list but he also needs a more well-rounded receiving corps than Michigan fielded last season. Advertisement Look for the Wolverines to be a big player for any high-end receiver that hits the portal. Tight end is also expected to be one position where Michigan tries to add help. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH MICHIGAN FANS AT MAIZE& MICHIGAN STATE After addressing most of its offensive needs during the winter transfer window, defense will primarily be the focus for Michigan State during the spring transfer window. According to Pro Football Focus, the Spartans had the lowest pass rush grade and second-lowest coverage grade in the Big Ten last season. Look for Michigan State to add at least one pass rusher and multiple defensive backs to try to reverse those trends. Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH MICHIGAN STATE FANS AT MINNESOTA The Golden Gophers have already signed a strong transfer class so this spring may be fairly quiet for them. The defensive line is one position Minnesota could pursue this spring. Adding depth up front is always a good idea but it is tight on roster spots right now so they must really think a transfer is a good fit. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH MINNESOTA FANS AT NEBRASKA The Cornhuskers have put together one of the best transfer portal classes of any team thus far in the 2025 cycle and they'll still be active this spring. Adding more help along the offensive line and at tight end are two of their top priorities. More depth at running back is also a need for Nebraska. Advertisement The Huskers did lose a lot on the defensive side of the ball during the winter transfer window but have already added a lot of help there. Still, expect the defensive line to be an area of focus for Nebraska. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH NEBRASKA FANS AT NORTHWESTERN Northwestern has already added north of 10 transfers this cycle but it'll still be active this spring. The Wildcats will look to improve at a number of positions but their No. 1 priority is going to be at receiver. Northwestern needs more help at the position as it looks to get more explosive on offense. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH NORTHWESTERN FANS AT OHIO STATE The reigning national champions have only added six players in the transfer portal thus far but they're tied for the second-highest average stars per commit. The No. 1 priority for Ohio State this spring will be adding players along the defensive line. The Buckeyes are replacing a number of starters and big-time contributors from last season and they need not only depth but experience as well. Advertisement Don't be surprised if Ohio State adds a quarterback also. With only Julian Sayin, Lincoln Kienholz and true freshman Tavien St. Clair on the roster, Ohio State needs more depth at the position just in case it loses one to the transfer portal. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH OHIO STATE FANS AT OREGON Unsurprisingly, Oregon did an excellent job addressing its top needs in the transfer portal already. The Ducks were able to add the top-ranked defensive back (Dillon Thieneman), the top two offensive line prospects (Isaiah World and Emmanuel Pregnon) and the No. 1 running back (Makhi Hughes) during the winter transfer window. Advertisement Look for Oregon to work on bringing in a linebacker during the spring and maybe another receiver depending on how things shake out. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH OREGON FANS AT PENN STATE It should come as no surprise that Penn State needs a game-breaking receiver out of the transfer portal. The Nittany Lions have championship aspirations this year and the last remaining hole on their roster is in their receiving corps. Penn State will also look to solidify the core of its defense by adding help at linebacker and along the defensive line. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH PENN STATE FANS AT PURDUE Purdue's roster was gutted during the winter transfer window but new head coach Barry Odom and his staff were active in the winter, adding a number of important pieces on both sides of the ball. Advertisement This spring the trenches are going to be a major focus for the Boilermakers. Adding experience and talent along the offensive and defensive lines will go a long way for Purdue this coming season. Receiver and defensive back are also going to be positions they target once the transfer portal opens. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH PURDUE FANS AT RUTGERS Rutgers is going to primarily focus on adding help in the trenches and at linebacker. The Scarlet Knights have their sights set on adding an offensive tackle but aren't limiting themselves to only tackles once the portal opens. Help on the interior of the defensive line is going to also be a priority as well. Linebacker, however, is likely their top priority. Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH RUTGERS FANS AT UCLA The Bruins are looking to regain their footing this season and their spring portal efforts will likely focus on the offensive line. Expect UCLA to sign multiple offensive linemen during the spring portal window. After ranking in the bottom half of the Big Ten in tackles for a loss and sacks last season, the Bruins are also likely going to target an edge defender who can make plays in the backfield. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH UCLA FANS AT USC The Trojans did a great job addressing their biggest need by signing a pair of coveted defensive tackles in Keeshawn Silver and Jamaal Jarrett early in this portal cycle. If USC is going to continue to be active in the portal, a linebacker is the most likely priority. Don't rule out a cornerback, receiver or offensive linemen if a quality prospect shows up in the portal. Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH USC FANS AT WASHINGTON Now entering his second season at the helm in Seattle, head coach Jedd Fisch and his staff landed some impressive defensive transfers earlier in the transfer cycle but this spring they'll likely turn their attention to the offensive side of the ball. Adding help on the offensive line and in the receiver room will likely be two positions Washington focuses on. The Huskies might also sign a defensive lineman this spring if they find one they think can contribute this season. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH WASHINGTON FANS AT WISCONSIN Wisconsin and head coach Luke Fickell aren't expected to add many transfers this spring. One position the Badgers will likely focus on is cornerback due to the somewhat controversial departure of Xavier Lucas. Wisconsin could pursue a running back or a quarterback that fits their scheme if one shows up in the portal. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH WISCONSIN FANS AT
