Badgers football player tracker: Who's new, who's gone and who's still here?

With the closure of the transfer portal window April 30, we now have a clearer picture of the Wisconsin Badgers' football roster heading into the 2023 season.

Bear in mind that the deadline is merely for an athlete to declare his intention to enter the portal, not to choose a new school, so additions to the roster could still be forthcoming throughout May.

We'll keep this updated as news breaks about players arriving and leaving Madison.

Newcomer transfers to Wisconsin

• Tanner Mordecai, quarterback (Southern Methodist University). 6-3, 214. Easily the most buzzed-about addition to the program has one year of eligibility and was the clear-cut No. 1 quarterback during the team's 15 spring practices. Last year, he completed 65% of his passes for 3,524 yards with 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

• Braedyn Locke, quarterback (Mississippi State). 6-1, 195. Locke did not play as a freshman in 2022 but working in Mike Leach's Air Raid system made the transition to UW's offense under Phil Longo seamless. He worked with the No. 2 offense all spring.

• Nick Evers, quarterback (Oklahoma). 6-3, 185. The former Texas high school standout is a dual-threat quarterback who played in one game as a freshman at Oklahoma. Evers has a strong arm and is mobile but he struggled to grasp the offense and generally was the fifth quarterback during the spring.

• CJ Williams, wide receiver (USC). 6-2, 190. One of the top wide receivers in the 2022 class, the California native played in 10 games as a freshman last year and caught four passes for 34 yards. During spring ball Williams displayed the ability to make spectacular catches but must be more consistent. He has three seasons of eligibility remaining.

• Bryson Green, wide receiver (Oklahoma State). 6-1, 205. Green has two seasons of eligibility left. He caught 36 passes for 584 yards, the No. 2 mark on the team, and five touchdowns last season. Green was held out for much of the spring because he was recovering from off-season shoulder surgery.

• Will Pauling, wide receiver (Cincinnati). 5-10, 180. Pauling was the most impressive of the transfer wide receivers on the team and closed the spring working with the No. 1 offense in the slot. Pauling missed four games last season because of a knee injury but finished with 12 catches for 122 yards.

• Quincy Burroughs, wide receiver (Cincinnati). 6-2, 202. The native of Jacksonville, Florida, redshirted last season. He had a solid spring with UW and appears to have a spot to open the season on the No. 2 unit.

• Jake Renfro, center (Cincinnati). 6-3, 308. Renfro was a first-team all-conference center in 2021 and gives the Badgers a big-time option to replace center Joe Tippmann, who was selected in the second round of the NFL draft by the New York Jets. Renfro started 13 games in 2021 but missed last season with a knee injury and missed most of spring ball after suffering a stress fracture in his left foot. He has three seasons of eligibility remaining if he chooses.

• Joe Huber, offensive line (Cincinnati). The Ohio native was named honorable mention all-conference this past season after starting all 13 games at right tackle for Cincinnati last year. Huber worked at left guard and center in the spring but could also play tackle if needed.

• Jeff Pietrowski, defensive end (Michigan State). 6-2, 250. He missed the final nine games of his sophomore season (leg) and missed the early part of spring ball while recovering from mononucleosis. However, after he got on the field this spring he was stout at the point of attack against the run and showed the ability to pressure quarterbacks on passing plays. UW needs a consistent threat at outside linebacker.

• Darian Varner, defensive line (Temple). 6-2, 260. Varner recorded 7½ sacks and 12½ tackles for loss last season and was named a first-team all-conference choice in the American Athletic Conference. He missed spring ball with a left-foot injury but is expected to vie for a spot in the two-deep in camp. UW needs playmakers on the line.

• Manny Mullens, defensive line (Lake Erie College). 6-3, 285. The younger brother of Badgers defensive lineman Isaiah Mullens is transferring from an NCAA Division II program as a walk-on.

• Nyzier Fourqurean, defensive back (Grand Valley State). 6-1, 185. After committing as a transfer from the Division II program to Vanderbilt, he flipped his pledge to Wisconsin on May 16, helping a Badgers program in dire need for cornerback depth. He had four interceptions in 2022 as a sophomore and was named to the Don Hansen Division II All-America team (first team).

• Michael Mack, defensive back (Air Force). 6-1, 190. Mack started two of his three seasons at Air Force and was a third-team preseason All-Mountain West pick on Phil Steele's team before entering the transfer portal in June. He'll need to apply for a waiver for eligibility in 2023.

• Jason Maitre, safety (Boston College). 5-10, 188. The Badgers knew they needed to add some new faces in the defensive backfield and Maitre, who played safety and cornerback at Boston College, appears to be a perfect fit. He started 11 of 12 games last season and recorded 42 tackles, six passes broken up and one interception. Maitre was UW's No. 1 slot corner all spring and consistently made plays against the run and pass. Terrific addition.

• Nathanial Vakos, kicker (Ohio). 6-1, 188. Vakos made 22 of 27 field-goal attempts as a freshman last season. Perhaps most impressive is that he hit 17 of 18 attempts from 20 to 39 yards and also hit 5 of 9 from 40 yards to 50-plus. His 46-yarder with four seconds left forced overtime in the Arizona Bowl and the Bobcats went on to defeat Wyoming, 30-27.

• Atticus Bertrams, punter (USC). 6-3, 215. The Australian never suited up at USC and announced his commitment May 26, shoring up a position of need.

20 returnees who saw significant time last year

• Braelon Allen, running back (junior). 6-2, 240. Standout running back over the past two years rushed for 1,242 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.

• Chez Mellusi, running back (graduate senior). 5-11, 208. Bounced back from a knee injury in 2021 to play in nine games last season, posting 473 rushing yards on 112 carries.

• Chimere Dike, wide receiver (senior). 6-1, 198. Leading receiver last year caught 47 passes for 689 yards and six scores. Could return kickoffs in 2023.

• Keontez Lewis, wide receiver (junior). 6-2, 187. UCLA transfer caught 20 passes for 313 yards and three scores last year.

• Skyler Bell, wide receiver (redshirt sophomore). 6-0, 195. Second-leading receiver last year caught 30 passes and five touchdown passes.

• Tanor Bortolini, offensive line (redshirt junior). 6-4, 310. Versatile lineman was honorable mention all-Big Ten last year and started UW's final 10 games (playing four positions in the process). Likely will open at left guard this season.

• Riley Mahlman, offensive line (redshirt sophomore). 6-8, 318. Made six starts at right tackle last year but missed six games after an injury in the season opener.

• Michael Furtney, offensive line (graduate senior). 6-5, 314. He removed his name from the transfer portal Dec. 12. He played in every game in 2022, starting eight in his fourth season with the program. Worked as the No. 1 right guard all spring.

• Trey Wedig, offensive line (redshirt junior). 6-7, 322. Made eight starts last year, including five at right tackle, two at right guard and one at left guard. Likely will be the No. 2 right tackle in 2023.

• Jack Nelson, offensive line (redshirt junior). 6-7, 305. Made 12 starts last year at left tackle after starting all 13 games at right guard in 2021.

• Rodas Johnson, defensive end (redshirt senior). 6-2, 299. Made 10 starts and posted 23 tackles, including six for loss.

• James Thompson Jr., defensive end (redshirt junior). 6-5, 290. Made seven starts to close the season and finished with 22 tackles, 6½ tackles for loss, two sacks and a fumble recovery.

• C.J. Goetz, linebacker (graduate senior). 6-3, 235. Started all 13 games at outside linebacker last year, making 62 tackles, eight for loss and two sacks. Could be pushed by Pietrowski in 2023.

• Jake Chaney, linebacker (junior). 5-11, 233. Played in 12 games last year and racked up 38 tackles (four for loss), a sack and an interception.

• Jordan Turner, linebacker (redshirt junior). 6-1, 235. Honorable mention all-Big Ten was the defensive MVP of the Guaranteed Rate Bowl. Made 11 starts and finished second on the team with 65 tackles, including five for loss. He has, however, been suspended indefinitely for violating UW's student-athlete discipline policy.

• Maema Njongmeta, linebacker (redshirt senior). 6-0, 240. Third-team all-Big Ten choice after leading the Badgers with 95 tackles, including 12½ for loss, and sacks in four straight games to close the season. Njongmeta and Turner appear to be set as UW's top two inside linebackers again.

• Ricardo Hallman, cornerback (redshirt sophomore). 5-10, 180. Lost his starting job after seven games last season but bounced back this spring. Worked on the No. 1 unit and was solid from Day 1. Is one of only three experienced corners on the roster.

• Alexander Smith, cornerback (graduate senior). 5-11, 190. Limited to seven games, including six starts, because of a hamstring injury suffered late in camp. Emerged as the team's best cornerback and was the leader of that unit in the spring.

• Kamo'i Latu, safety (senior). 6-0, 196. Utah transfer played in all 13 games and finished with 38 solo tackles, two interceptions and two sacks.

• Hunter Wohler, safety (junior). 6-2, 211. Suffered a broken leg in the opener and played in only six games. Wohler's versatility should be important this season. He can line up on the line of scrimmage like an edge rusher, off the ball like a linebacker or deep in the secondary like a roaming centerfielder.

Specialists and other returning contributors

• Jackson Acker, fullback (redshirt sophomore). 6-1, 240. Started nine games last year at fullback but could get work at running back or H-back in the new offense.

• Riley Nowakowski, tight end (redshirt junior). 6-1, 241. Former walk-on played in 12 games last year on special teams but figures to see more time on the field at tight end this season.

• Hayden Rucci, tight end (redshirt senior). 6-4, 253. Made eight starts last year and caught six passes for 75 yards and a touchdown in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.

• Jack Eschenbach, tight end (graduate senior). 6-6, 240. Played in 13 games and caught 14 passes for 120 yards last year. He was not on the team's practice roster when camp began Aug. 2.

• Gio Paez, nose tackle (redshirt senior). 6-3, 319. Played in 10 games and made 12 tackles last year, including one for loss.

• Isaiah Mullens, defensive end (graduate senior). 6-4, 295. Played in seven games last year, making three starts, and has been on the field since 2019.

• Tatum Grass, inside linebacker (redshirt senior). 6-2, 234. Played in every game last year and started two at linebacker, with 20 tackles.

• Kaden Johnson, outside linebacker (redshirt junior). 6-2, 248. Made 21 tackles last year and appeared in every game.

• Darryl Peterson, outside linebacker (redshirt sophomore). 6-1, 247. Registered two sacks and 27 tackles last year while playing in all 13 games.

• Gavin Lahm, kicker (sophomore). 6-0, 223. Recorded 17 touchbacks on 47 kickoffs last season.

• Jack Van Dyke, kicker/punter (senior). 6-5, 218. Missed eight games because of injury, which led to Lahm taking over on kickoffs. Van Dyke recorded 15 touchbacks on 21 kickoffs last season. He should handle kickoffs in 2023 if healthy.

• Nate Van Zelst, kicker (redshirt sophomore). 5-11, 204. He made all 35 of his extra-point tries last year and 11 of 14 field goals. He should open 2023 as the No. 2 kicker.

• Peter Bowden, long snapper (redshirt senior). 6-2, 245. Has been the team's long snapper the past two seasons.

Players looking to make a comeback

• Clay Cundiff, tight end (redshirt junior). 6-3, 240. Cundiff might be UW's best all-around tight end but has suffered a season-ending leg injury in each of the last two years. He was not on the team's practice roster when camp began Aug. 2.

• Aaron Witt, linebacker (redshirt junior). 6-6, 265. Showed promise as a freshman in 2020 when he played in five games but suffered a foot injury in the opening week of spring practice in 2021 and hasn't been able to return to the field.

• Travian Blaylock, safety (graduate student). 5-11, 208. Working his way back from a torn ACL and now in his sixth year with the program.

Rising players to know

• Myles Burkett, quarterback (redshirt freshman). 6-0, 202.

• Cade Yacamelli, running back (redshirt freshman). 6-0, 210.

• Tommy McIntosh, wide receiver (redshirt freshman). 6-5, 200.

• Vinny Anthony II, wide receiver (sophomore). 6-0, 177.

• Chris Brooks Jr., wide receiver (redshirt freshman). 6-2, 225.

• J.T. Seagreaves, tight end (redshirt freshman). 6-6, 224.

• Cole Dakovich, tight end (redshirt junior). 6-5, 250.

• Jack Pugh, tight end (redshirt sophomore). 6-5, 252.

• Joe Brunner, offensive line (redshirt freshman). 6-5, 315.

• Nolan Rucci, offensive line (redshirt sophomore). 6-8, 302.

• JP Benzschawel, offensive line (redshirt sophomore). 6-6, 305.

• Barrett Nelson, offensive line (redshirt freshman). 6-6, 284.

• Ben Barten, defensive line (redshirt junior). 6-5, 305.

• Curt Neal, nose tackle (redshirt freshman). 6-0, 297.

• Cade McDonald, defensive end (redshirt junior). 6-6, 285.

• T.J. Bollers, linebacker (redshirt sophomore). 6-2, 268.

• Bryan Sanborn, linebacker (redshirt sophomore). 6-1, 228.

• Max Lofy, cornerback (redshirt junior). 5-10, 190.

• Amaun Williams, cornerback (redshirt junior). 5-10, 187.

• Preston Zachman, safety (redshirt sophomore), 6-1, 209.

• Austin Brown, safety (sophomore). 6-1, 207.

• Gavin Meyers, punter (redshirt junior). 6-1, 202.

Incoming members of 2023 UW recruiting class

* Indicates player was an early enrollee and appeared in spring camp.

• Christian Alliegro, linebacker (Darien, Connecticut). 6-3, 220. Three-star linebacker previously committed to playing lacrosse at Navy before opting for football.

• *Jace Arnold, defensive back (Marietta, Georgia). 5-10, 168. Speedster regarded as a four-star prospect by 247 Sports.

• Tucker Ashcraft, tight end (Seattle, Washington). 6-5, 235. Three-star prospect was committed to Colorado before reopening his recruitment amid the program's coaching change.

• *Jonas Duclona, defensive back (Naples, Florida). 6-0, 175. Three-star cornerback had committed to Cincinnati but followed Luke Fickell to Wisconsin.

• James Durand, offensive line (Chandler, Arizona). 6-4, 280. Lineman had offers from Arizona, California, Colorado and more before committing to the Badgers last May. Given a three-star rating by two recruiting services and four stars by ESPN.

• Jamel Howard, defensive line (Chicago Illinois). 6-3, 320. Three-star prospect committed to Wisconsin initially but backed out in November after the program's coaching change, then re-committed to UW on Feb. 1. Held offers from LSU, Michigan, Miami and more.

• *Tyler Jansey, linebacker (Batavia, Illinois). 6-1, 215. Three-star recruit kept his commitment to UW through coaching changes; he was the first committed player in the 2023 class.

• Trech Kekahuna, wide receiver (Las Vegas, Nevada). 5-11, 180. The surprise of signing day, the three-star recruit had de-committed from Wisconsin and pledged to Arizona State mere days before he was announced as part of the UW class.

• *Cole LaCrue, quarterback (Broomfield, Colorado). 6-2, 190. Three-star quarterback won a state championship in his senior year; was sidelined by injury in spring.

• *Jordan Meyer, defensive end (Jefferson Hills, Pennsylvania). 6-4, 235. Three-star edge rusher initially committed to Boston College before re-opening his commitment and kept his pledge to Wisconsin through the coaching change.

• *Braedyn Moore, safety (Hamilton, Ohio). 6-1, 190. Four-star safety (also an elite receiver in high school) had committed to Cincinnati before Fickell's departure and followed him to Wisconsin.

• Amare Snowden, cornerback (Roseville, Michigan). 6-3, 187. Four-star cornerback changed his plan to attend Cincinnati after the coaching switch and initially intended to play both football and baseball for the Bearcats.

• Justin Taylor, defensive back (LaGrange Park, Illinois). 6-1, 185. Three-star prospect committed last May and kept his pledge through coaching changes.

• A.J. Tisdell, defensive back (College Station, Texas). 5-10, 180. Three-star prospect chose UW over Baylor, Cal and Texas Tech in June. Played as a receiver, cornerback and return man as a senior for his high school team.

• Nate White, running back (Milwaukee). 6-0, 175. The lone Wisconsinite in the class received four stars from one recruiting service and committed last May over offers from Iowa State, Kansas and Minnesota.

2022 players who left for NFL draft

• Joe Tippmann, center. Started all 12 games in 2022 and was drafted by the Jets with the No. 43 pick (second round).

• Keeanu Benton, defensive tackle. Third-team all-Big Ten choice from Janesville Craig was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 49th pick (second round).

• Nick Herbig, linebacker. First-team all-Big Ten choice had 11 sacks last year and was selected with the 132nd pick (fourth round) by the Pittsburgh Steelers, where his older brother Nate already plays (not to mention several former Badgers).

2022 contributors who completed eligibility

• Brady Schipper, running back. Stoughton native played in 33 games over five years and carried the ball 40 times.

• Tyler Beach, offensive line. Third-team all-Big Ten choice in 2021 played in 57 games over his career. A graduate of Port Washington high school, Beach signed as an undrafted free agent with the Houston Texans.

• Jay Shaw, cornerback. UCLA transfer made 12 starts last year in his lone season with UW and had two interceptions.

• Cedrick Dort, cornerback. Kentucky transfer made six starts last year in his lone season with the program and had an interception.

• Justin Clark, cornerback. Toledo transfer played in nine games for UW in his lone season. He's going to get a chance with the New York Giants.

• Andy Vujnovich, punter. Native of Columbus, Wisconsin, played three years with the Badgers and was honorable mention all-conference in 2020.

• John Torchio, safety. First-team all-Big Ten choice last year has worked his way up from walk-on to regular, playing in 13 games each of the past two seasons. Had nine career interceptions, including five last year. He has a couple tryouts lined up in the NFL.

2022 players who transferred or left program (new school in parentheses if known)

• Graham Mertz, quarterback (Florida). Four-star recruit came to campus with much fanfare but became a lightning rod for fans after he struggled to maintain consistency. He saw the field over four seasons, passing for 5,405 yards and 38 touchdowns with 26 interceptions. He'll have two years of eligibility remaining.

• Chase Wolf, quarterback. Led the Badgers to victory in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl but found himself in a crowded quarterback room with three incoming transfers.

• Deacon Hill, quarterback (Iowa). Known for his arm strength, Hill fell behind Myles Burkett on the depth chart and entered the transfer portal after Paul Chryst was fired.

• Marshall Howe, quarterback (Yale). Walk-on who closed spring ball behind Mordecai and Locke. Decided to transfer because he hopes to win a starting job.

• Isaac Guerendo, running back (Louisville). Was part of the program since 2018 and endured injuries throughout his career, but his breakout speed was evident in touchdown runs of 82 and 89 yards in 2022, when he played in all 12 games and ran for five touchdowns. Coincidentally, UW is still looking for a No. 3 tailback, a role Guerendo could have easily filled.

• Julius Davis, running back (Montana State). Had been part of the program since 2019 and saw action in three games in 2022.

• Markus Allen, wide receiver. He played in eight games over the past two seasons and, after announcing he planned to transfer to Minnesota, withdrew his name from the portal. But after a bout of legal trouble, his status became murky, and it was unclear if he would see the field with the Badgers' revamped wide-receiver room. On June 23, he re-entered the portal.

• Stephan Bracey, wide receiver and return specialist (Central Michigan). He returned the opening kickoff against Nebraska for a touchdown in 2021 and spent three seasons with UW.

• Dean Engram, wide receiver/defensive back. He caught 13 passes last year after converting from defense, and he has two years of eligibility left. His father, Bobby Engram, was not retained after one year as the program's offensive coordinator.

• Logan Brown, offensive line (Kansas). The five-star offensive line recruit was with the program for four years and earned the starting right tackle spot before losing the job. He was dismissed from the team after a practice altercation.

• Jaylan Franklin, tight end (Michigan State). Came to Wisconsin as a linebacker in 2020 but didn't consistently see the field outside of special teams even after switch to offense.

• Tristan Monday, defensive line (Arizona). The freshman from Arizona did not see the field in 2022.

• Semar Melvin, defensive back (Michigan State). The junior cornerback from Florida still has two years of eligibility left and played in eight games last year.

• Al Ashford III, defensive back (Utah State). Redshirt freshman played in four games on special teams in 2022 before suffering an injury.

• A'Khoury Lyde, defensive back (Delaware) The redshirt freshman didn't see the field in 2022 while recovering from an ACL injury.

• Avyonne Jones, defensive back (Coastal Carolina). Freshman from Texas played in two games last year for the Badgers.

• Spencer Lytle, linebacker (Stanford). Had been with the program since 2019 and appeared in 16 games over the past three seasons.

• Titus Toler, safety (Boise State). He missed all of 2021 with an injury but appeared in five games last year and has three years of eligibility remaining.

• Vito Calvaruso, kicker. Brought in as a transfer from Arkansas but played in only two games last year (making 7 of 7 extra-points and 1 of 3 field goals). Transferred after it became clear he wasn't going to be given the opportunity to battle for handling kickoffs or placements.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin Badgers football player tracker: Who's new and who left?