The Badgers have made their first addition from the transfer portal, and it’s an offensive lineman.
The Wisconsin Badgers have secured a commitment from Vanderbilt Commodores transfer offensive lineman Leyton Nelson, he announced on Monday.
#Badgers land a commitment from Vanderbilt transfer Leyton Nelson. https://t.co/F492fT720a
— Bucky’s 5th Quarter (@B5Q) April 22, 2024
Nelson, a three-star recruit in the Class of 2022, moved on from Vanderbilt after two seasons, and brings three years of eligibility with him to Wisconsin.
The 6’6, 308-pound offensive lineman saw action in 11 games last season, playing in 60 total snaps, while primarily serving as a backup tackle for the Commodores.
Coming to Wisconsin, Nelson reunites with offensive line coach A.J. Blazek, who left Vanderbilt to join the Badgers this offseason under the same role.
Nelson provides the Badgers with some needed depth along the offensive line, as Wisconsin has just ten scholarship offensive linemen with them during the spring, although they’ve dealt with a few injuries, forcing walk-ons into a significant amount of snaps.
Of their 13 total scholarship offensive linemen, the Badgers have five true freshmen entering the fold, which could place inexperienced players into the fold should an injury occur to one of the starters.
Nelson, a Florida native, did not receive an offer from Wisconsin out of high school.