Former Top Recruit, Wisconsin Edge Rusher, Enters Transfer Portal
Ernest Willor Jr., a former standout recruit for Wisconsin football, has entered the NCAA transfer portal. This news was reported by 247Sports’ Jon McNamara.
Ernest Willor Jr.: A Look at His Background
Willor came to the Badgers as a highly regarded four-star recruit in the 2024 class. He earned notable rankings, including:
- No. 173 overall player
- No. 26 defensive lineman
- No. 7 recruit from Maryland
His decision to join Wisconsin was significant, as he had offers from several prestigious programs, such as:
- Alabama
- Maryland
- Georgia
- LSU
- Miami
- Michigan
- Notre Dame
- Ohio State
- Penn State
- Tennessee
- Texas A&M
Transition to Edge Rusher
Upon joining Wisconsin, Willor transitioned from defensive lineman to edge rusher. During his two-year tenure with the Badgers, he did not record any statistics. This lack of contribution was attributed to the strong competition within a crowded depth chart, which featured players like:
- Darryl Peterson
- Aaron Witt
- Mason Reiger
- Sebastian Cheeks
Now, with three years of eligibility left, Willor is looking for new opportunities in the transfer portal.
Wisconsin Football’s Departures
Willor’s decision to leave comes shortly after another Wisconsin lineman, 2023 signee Jamel Howard, also entered the transfer portal. They are part of a larger trend of departures from the Badgers, including:
- Safety Preston Zachman
- Tight end Tucker Ashcraft
- Running back Dilin Jones
- Wide receiver Eugene Hilton
- Wide receiver Trech Kekahuna
- Wide receiver Joseph Griffin Jr.
- Cornerback Geimere Latimer
- Linebacker Christian Alliegro
- Linebacker Tackett Curtis
- Center Jake Renfro
- Running back Cade Yacamelli
- Punter Atticus Bertrams
As these players look for new paths, the Wisconsin Badgers’ football program faces a notable reshuffling in its roster.
