Wisconsin Tight End Tucker Ashcraft Enters Transfer Portal, Leaving a Big Void in Badgers Offense
The Wisconsin Badgers just took another hit on the offensive side of the ball-and it’s a big one, literally and figuratively. Tight end Tucker Ashcraft, a 6-foot-5, 260-pound target with serious upside, has officially entered the NCAA transfer portal. It’s a notable departure for a program already dealing with a wave of roster turnover and coming off a tough 4-8 season.
Ashcraft’s exit isn’t just another name in the portal-it’s a loss that hits a position group already stretched thin. Head coach Luke Fickell’s rebuild in Madison now faces yet another challenge as one of the more promising pieces of the offense moves on.
A Promising Career Derailed by Injuries
Ashcraft came to Wisconsin with plenty of buzz. A four-star recruit in the 2023 class, he was ranked as the No. 11 tight end in the country by the 247Sports Composite. From the jump, he was viewed as a potential difference-maker-a big-bodied, athletic tight end who could contribute in both the run game and as a mismatch in the red zone.
But injuries had other plans.
His time in Madison was marred by setbacks. He missed large chunks of the 2023 and 2024 seasons, then dealt with another issue heading into fall camp in 2025.
Still, when he was on the field, he showed flashes of the player many expected him to be. Over 22 games in his Badgers career, Ashcraft tallied 22 catches for 178 yards and two touchdowns.
Modest numbers, sure, but they only tell part of the story.
In 2025, he looked like he was finally turning a corner. He posted 14 receptions for 122 yards and a touchdown-a solid start that hinted at what he could do with a full, healthy season.
Coaches and analysts alike praised his size, blocking ability, and presence in the red zone. He was projected to play a key role in the tight end rotation, potentially as the starter alongside incoming transfers.
Then came the portal news.
What This Means for Wisconsin’s Tight End Room
Ashcraft’s departure puts more pressure on an already thin group. The tight end room has seen its share of turnover, and now the Badgers will have to lean on younger, less proven options like JT Seagraves, Jackson McGohan, and Grant Stec. There’s also help coming via incoming freshmen, but asking first-year players to step into major roles is always a gamble-especially at a position that demands both physicality and football IQ.
It’s not just a tight end issue, either. This is part of a larger trend for Wisconsin.
The 2023 recruiting class has been hit hard by portal departures, and the team’s 4-8 finish in 2025-the program’s worst in decades-has only added to the turbulence. Fickell and his staff are now tasked with finding reinforcements through the portal, particularly on offense, where uncertainty at quarterback adds another layer of complexity heading into 2026.
What’s Next for Ashcraft?
Ashcraft still has two years of eligibility remaining, and don’t be surprised if he quickly becomes a hot commodity. His size, versatility, and experience make him a plug-and-play option for Power 4 programs looking to add a physical, red-zone-capable tight end. Whether it’s the Big 12, ACC, or a West Coast program, there’s no shortage of systems that could use a player like him.
The winter transfer window officially opens on January 2, and Ashcraft joins a growing list of Badgers looking for new homes-wide receiver Trech Kekahuna is another recent departure. Wisconsin remains active in the portal, but every exit like this one raises the stakes for Fickell’s staff to find the right fits and restore some stability.
Final Thoughts
Tucker Ashcraft’s time in Madison didn’t go the way anyone hoped-not for him, and not for the program. But the talent was never in question.
If he can stay healthy, he has a real shot to make an impact elsewhere. For the Badgers, it’s another reminder of how quickly things can shift in today’s college football landscape.
The transfer portal giveth, and the transfer portal taketh away.
Now, the focus turns to how Wisconsin responds-and who steps up to fill the void Ashcraft leaves behind.