Luke Fickell took a swing at adding linebacker depth last year, dipping into the FCS ranks and bringing in Antarron Turner from Western Carolina. On paper, it looked like a savvy move.
Turner had just wrapped up a redshirt sophomore season where he posted 61 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss - solid production that suggested he was ready for a step up. But that next step, a jump to the Power Four level with Wisconsin, never quite materialized on the field.
Turner didn’t play a snap for the Badgers in 2025, and now he’s back in the transfer portal, officially announcing he’ll be looking for a new home on January 2 with one year of eligibility remaining.
It’s not a shocking move, but it does underscore a growing concern for Wisconsin: linebacker depth is becoming a real issue. What was once considered a low-priority position heading into the offseason is now creeping into the top tier of roster needs - and fast.
With Turner departing, the Badgers are set to lose three linebackers to the portal when it opens: Turner, Christian Alliegro, and Curtis Tackett. Add in the graduation of Garrison Solliday - who didn’t see the field but still counts as a subtraction from the depth chart - and suddenly, Wisconsin’s linebacker room is looking awfully thin.
Yes, the Badgers have two young studs in Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano. Both made an impact as true freshmen and are expected to take on even bigger roles as sophomores.
But even with their talent, they can’t carry the entire linebacker corps on their own. Wisconsin needs bodies - and not just to fill out the roster, but to provide meaningful snaps and keep the defense functioning at a high level.
The good news? Sebastian Cheeks and Thomas Heiberger are expected to return and bring some much-needed experience to the group.
Both contributed in 2025 and should continue to be part of the rotation. But beyond them, the depth chart is paper-thin.
As for Turner, the transition from Western Carolina to Big Ten football proved to be a tough climb. Sometimes the fit just isn’t there, and in this case, the jump didn’t pan out the way either side had hoped. Now, with one year left, Turner’s looking for a fresh start - and perhaps a chance to recapture the form that put him on the radar in the first place.
For Wisconsin, the message is clear: the linebacker room needs reinforcements, and the portal is going to have to deliver.