What exactly was Wisconsin looking for, and where would those players come from? While the process of reaching out to prospects and scheduling visits is ongoing, the early stage of the portal window has proven to be revealing.

Wisconsin kicker Gavin Lahm has withdrawn his name from the transfer portal and will return to the Badgers, according to his recent post on X. The former walk-on is one of 19 Wisconsin players to enter. He joins wide receiver Trech Kekahuna in departing the portal to return to the school.

Wisconsin football has made its first addition via the transfer portal, as former Louisville edge rusher Mason Reiger announced his commitment to UW. Reiger chose Wisconsin after fielding interest from Indiana, Ole Miss, Georgia Tech, and Wake Forest, among others. He will have one year of eligibility remaining with the Badgers.

You just leave no stone unturned,” Wisconsin director of recruiting Pat Lambert said. “You just know what you have to address."

Koziol’s commitment, the program’s second of the cycle, represents a significant recruiting win for head coach Luke Fickell, offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes and the Badgers’ staff. 247Sports ranks the veteran pass-catcher as the No. 48 overall player in the portal and the No. 3 tight end.

Adding Koziol to the roster replaces Riley Nowakowski, who entered the transfer portal earlier this week. The tight end position has been non-existent the past two seasons. Wisconsin is hoping Koziol will be a player that can bring more production to the position with the new offensive scheme that Jeff Grimes is bringing to Madison .

Swinging door: Another Badgers quarterback is entering the college football transfer portal. Redshirt sophomore Braedyn Locke started nine games this season after Tyler Van Dyke suffered a knee injury against Alabama. Both Locke and Van Dyke are leaving Wisconsin, along with redshirt freshman Cole LaCrue.

Wisconsin wide receiver Trech Kekahuna is exiting the transfer portal and returning to the Badgers, according to his recent Instagram post. The sophomore receiver announced his intention to enter the portal last week after the Badgers’ season-closing loss to Minnesota.

Wisconsin safety Kamo’i Latu entered the transfer portal on Wednesday. He is the 19th Badger to depart since the portal opened on Monday. 17 of those are scholarship players. The headliners include quarterbacks Braedyn Locke and Tyler Van Dyke,