The Wisconsin Badgers are dipping into the transfer portal once again, and this time, they’re betting on upside in a big way. On Thursday night, Hope College edge rusher Liam Danitz committed to Wisconsin during his official visit to Madison - and he brings with him a blend of raw production and elite athleticism that’s hard to ignore.
Danitz, a 6'5", 230-pound pass rusher from Michigan, absolutely tore it up at the Division III level this past season. He racked up 15 sacks and 21 tackles for loss in a dominant campaign that turned heads well beyond the D-III ranks. And it wasn’t just a one-year flash - over the previous two seasons, he totaled 12 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss, showing a consistent ability to disrupt the backfield.
Here’s the twist: Danitz is technically out of eligibility, but he’s expected to apply for a waiver. One of his four seasons was spent competing in track and field, which could open the door for him to suit up for the Badgers. If that waiver comes through, Wisconsin might have landed one of the more intriguing edge prospects in the portal - even if he’s coming from a smaller school.
What makes Danitz such a compelling addition isn’t just the sack numbers - it’s the speed. This guy isn’t just fast for a pass rusher; he’s fast, period.
He clocked a 10.55 in the 100-meter dash and a 20.92 in the 200. That kind of straight-line speed is rare at any level, and when you pair it with his size and production, it’s easy to see why Power 4 programs started circling once his track times became public.
Wisconsin didn’t waste time. Danitz made Madison his first visit, and he didn’t need to see anywhere else. He committed on the spot.
This move is part of a broader strategy by the Badgers to bolster their edge room with a mix of power and potential. Earlier this offseason, they added Justus Boone, a 6'5", 290-pound transfer from Arkansas who brings a physical, inside-out presence to the defensive front. They also landed Jayden Loftin, a freshman transfer from Tennessee who was a major target for Wisconsin during his high school recruitment.
For Wisconsin, the addition of Danitz is a calculated swing at a high-upside player who dominated at a lower level and has the athletic profile to potentially make the leap. The coaching staff now has the challenge - and opportunity - to refine his game and see if that speed can translate against Big Ten competition.
It’s a gamble, sure, but it’s the kind of gamble that could pay off in a big way.