The Wisconsin Badgers are staying aggressive in the transfer portal, and now they’ve got their eyes on another intriguing piece: former Oklahoma wide receiver Zion Kearney. Head coach Luke Fickell isn’t letting the offseason cool down, and this latest pursuit shows he’s still looking to fine-tune the roster heading into 2026.
Kearney, a former 4-star recruit out of Texas, came into Oklahoma with plenty of promise. But after a freshman campaign that saw him tally eight catches, his role diminished significantly last season - just two receptions - prompting his decision to enter the portal. Now, he’s exploring new opportunities, and Wisconsin is working to bring him in for a visit.
Helping lead the charge? None other than Nate Palmer - the recent TCU transfer who’s only been in Madison for a matter of weeks.
Palmer, also a Texas native and former top recruit, has taken to social media to encourage Kearney to join him in the Badgers’ rebuild, tweeting “Come on home!” with the familiar rallying cry: #OnWisconsin.
How well Palmer and Kearney know each other isn’t totally clear, but what is clear is Palmer’s enthusiasm about his new home - and his willingness to recruit others to join him. That kind of buy-in is exactly what Fickell is looking for as he reshapes the culture and identity of this program.
Now, let’s be real: Wisconsin’s wide receiver room isn’t as thin as it once was. Thanks to transfer additions and recruiting wins, the Badgers have more depth at the position than they did just a few months ago.
So this isn’t a situation where Kearney is a make-or-break addition. But that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be a valuable one.
Kearney still has a high ceiling. He’s got the size, athleticism, and pedigree to compete for a starting role - especially in a system looking for playmakers on the outside.
For Wisconsin, this is the kind of move that could pay off big without much risk. If Kearney reaches the potential that made him a coveted recruit in the first place, the Badgers could be getting a difference-maker.
Of course, Wisconsin isn’t the only school in the mix. Programs like Toledo, Washington, and North Texas are also making their pitch.
Washington, in particular, is in need of help at receiver and could offer more immediate playing time. And like with many portal decisions these days, factors like NIL opportunities and depth chart outlooks could ultimately tip the scale.
Still, with Palmer already in his ear and Fickell building something that’s starting to catch national attention, Wisconsin’s pitch is a strong one. Whether Kearney ends up in Madison or not, it’s clear the Badgers are staying active, calculated, and confident in how they’re building for the future.