The hits keep coming for Wisconsin football, and this one stings - a lot. After a tough 4-8 finish to the 2025 season, the Badgers are now watching their roster take a serious hit in the transfer portal.
The latest blow? Starting running back Dilin Jones is on his way out.
Jones, who opened the season as RB1 for Luke Fickell’s squad, has officially entered the transfer portal and will take three years of eligibility with him. That’s not just a depth chart shuffle - that’s a major piece of the offense walking out the door.
This comes on the heels of freshman wide receiver Eugene Hilton Jr. entering the portal just a day earlier. In total, 15 Badgers have now opted to leave the program, but Jones’ exit might be the most significant. He was expected to be a key figure in the offense moving forward, especially after showing flashes of promise during a challenging season.
Jones isn’t the only backfield departure either. Cade Yacamelli, another talented runner, announced his own transfer earlier this month. That’s two running backs gone in a matter of weeks - a tough pill to swallow for a program that’s long prided itself on producing elite talent at the position.
Let’s not forget, Jones came into Madison with serious expectations. Ranked 12th nationally in the 2024 class and holding a four-star rating of 93.21 from Rivals, he was supposed to be part of the next wave of offensive firepower in Fickell’s system. His decision to leave raises questions about the direction of the offense and what kind of identity this team will have in 2026.
And it’s not just the skill positions feeling the shakeup. Other notable names headed out include offensive lineman Jake Renfro, linebacker Christian Alliegro, and wide receiver Trech Kekahuna - all players who had roles to play in the Badgers’ plans moving forward.
For Wisconsin, this isn’t just about the number of players leaving. It’s about the caliber.
These are guys who were expected to be foundational pieces. Losing that kind of talent - especially at running back, where Wisconsin has built its brand for decades - is a real concern.
Luke Fickell and his staff are clearly facing a pivotal offseason. After missing a bowl game for the second straight year - something that hasn’t happened in over 20 years - the pressure to stabilize the program is mounting. The transfer portal giveth and taketh, but right now, it feels like it’s mostly taking from the Badgers.
The next few months will be critical. Can Wisconsin bring in impact players to fill these gaps?
Can they reestablish the culture and identity that made them a perennial Big Ten contender? One thing’s for sure - with this level of turnover, the 2026 Badgers are going to look a whole lot different.