Wisconsin LB Christian Alliegro Enters Transfer Portal After Three Productive Seasons
Another key piece of Wisconsin’s defense is on the move. Just a week after junior linebacker Tackett Curtis announced his transfer, senior Christian Alliegro is following suit. The veteran linebacker has officially entered the NCAA transfer portal, signaling another shift in the Badgers’ defensive identity under head coach Luke Fickell.
This isn’t just a depth chart shuffle - it’s a clear sign that Wisconsin is turning the page. With Alliegro’s departure, the Badgers are leaning heavily into their youth movement, handing the reins to a pair of true freshmen in Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano. That’s a bold move, especially with Alliegro still very much capable of producing at a high level.
Let’s be clear: Alliegro isn’t leaving as an afterthought. He’s walking away with a résumé that speaks volumes - 124 career tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 8 sacks over three seasons. That’s the kind of production you don’t just replace overnight.
Coming out of Connecticut as a 3-star recruit, Alliegro made his presence felt right away in Madison. He didn’t redshirt - he didn’t need to.
As a true freshman, he played in every game and notched five tackles and a sack. It wasn’t flashy, but it laid the groundwork for what was to come.
His sophomore campaign was where he really made his mark. Alliegro stepped into a rotational starting role and quickly proved he belonged. He racked up 66 total tackles and three sacks that season, including a monster 16-tackle performance against Iowa - the kind of game that puts your name on scouting reports.
This past season, though, the story changed. Alliegro’s role began to shrink as Mason Posa emerged as one of the program’s rising stars.
Alliegro still managed 49 tackles and four sacks - solid numbers by any standard - but his snap count and impact noticeably dipped down the stretch. In his final three games, he totaled just five tackles combined.
That kind of trend usually points to one thing: a fresh start.
And that’s exactly what Alliegro is looking for. With one year of eligibility remaining, he’ll have no shortage of suitors.
He’s a proven, versatile linebacker who can drop into coverage, attack the run, and get after the quarterback. Programs across the FBS will be lining up to add that kind of experience and motor to their linebacker room.
For Wisconsin, the loss stings - no question. Alliegro brought leadership, consistency, and a high football IQ to the middle of the defense.
But it also reinforces the direction this coaching staff is taking. Fickell is betting big on his young core, and with talents like Posa and Catalano already stepping up, the future at linebacker looks bright.
Still, don’t be surprised if Alliegro pops up next fall making plays in another uniform - and making it clear that he’s still one of the better linebackers in the college game.