Wisconsin Football Transfer Portal Target Announces Top Schools

The Wisconsin football program is among the top options for a key defensive target in the transfer portal.

Grand Valley State transfer Jay’Viar Suggs took to social media on Tuesday to announce his top six schools, listing Wisconsin alongside Michigan, Florida State, Kentucky, USC, and Arkansas. 

Suggs is rated as a three-star transfer, ranked as the No. 703 overall player in the portal, and the No. 71 defensive lineman per the composite rankings. He will have two seasons of eligibility remaining at his next stop.

The Michigan native stopped by UW for a visit just over a week ago and picked up an offer from defensive line coach EJ Whitlow. During the visit, Suggs was able to reconnect with former Grand Valley State teammate Nyzier Fourqurean, who played with Suggs from 2021-2022. 

Another thing UW has going for them is Suggs’ connection to outside linebackers coach Matt Mitchell, who oversaw Suggs during his time as head coach at Grand Valley State before he came to UW. 

In his junior season at GVSU, Suggs posted 21 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 5.0 sacks, four pass deflections, and a forced fumble. 

The Wisconsin football program currently has James Thompson Jr. and Curt Neal heading the defensive line room, with other contributors including Elijah Hills, Ben Barten, Cade McDonald, Jamel Howard, and Ernest Willor Jr all in the mix pushing for playing time. 

The defensive line room is a bit thin due to the departure of some key contributors, including Rodas Johnson, Gio Paez, Darian Varner, and TJ Bollers. Some added insurance on the defensive front is among the top priorities for the Badgers as they continue to look for help in the portal after spring practices have wrapped up. 

Wisconsin has added two transfers in the spring window, landing commitments from Vanderbilt transfer Leyton Nelson and Illinois transfer Joey Okla.