Wisconsin football received a surprising commitment from transfer portal defensive tackle Brandon Lane on Friday.
It had appeared as if the Badgers’ quest for defensive line help was over after Lane committed to Louisville on May 20. Things must have changed quickly, as the former Stephen F. Austin defensive tackle was a Badger by the afternoon of Friday, May 24.
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The veteran brings four years of college experience to the table. He was originally a member of South Dakota State’s class of 2020, though played sparingly for the Jackrabbits before transferring to Stephen F. Austin ahead of the 2022 season. The highly-touted defensive tackle then played a big role on the Lumberjacks’ defense in 2023, recording 45 total tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Lane is a critical addition to a Wisconsin defensive line that was razor-thin before his addition. James Thompson Jr., Curt Neal, Ben Barten and Elijah Hills (transfer) represented the team’s only experienced players at the position. With Lane, the group is much better equipped for what will be a gauntlet 2024 schedule.
Here is Luke Fickell and Mike Tressel’s updated defensive depth chart after the surprising transfer commitment:
(Here is a link to the offensive side)
Wisconsin defensive line coach E.J. Whitlow talks with Curt Neal during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wisconsin on Tuesday April 2, 2024. Mark Stewart / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
Starters: James Thompson Jr, Brandon Lane (transfer), Curt Neal
Backup: Ben Barten, Cade McDonald, Elijah Hills (transfer), Jamel Howard
Wisconsin’s defensive line looks different after the addition of lane. It now has a formidable starting trio and newfound depth. Lane and Hills remain questions given they’re transferring from smaller schools (Lane from Stephen F. Austin, Hills from Albany). But Wisconsin needed a last-minute…
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