The outgoing portal count is up to 16 for the Wisconsin Badgers, as tight end Tucker Ashcraft announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal on Friday.
Ashcraft, a junior in 2025, was Wisconsin’s top returning tight end for next season as Lance Mason was out of eligibility. Mason is fighting for an extra year of eligibility, but Ashcraft could’ve had a similar role if he returned.
However, the 2023 three-star recruit never had that breakout season in Madison. After playing in 25 games over his
first two seasons, Ashcraft saw action in just four games this year, preserving his redshirt, while catching two passes for 10 yards.
He had his best year as a freshman, when he was unexpectedly thrust into the action after some Fall movement at tight end in 2023. Playing as the team’s No. 2 option, he caught eight passes for 86 yards and a touchdown.
In 2024, Ashcraft was also the No. 2 option, this time behind Riley Nowakowski. He had 12 catches for 82 yards and a touchdown.
Keeping his redshirt, Ashcraft will have two years of eligibility left. If Mason cannot return in 2026, it makes sense for the Badgers to look for a transfer portal tight end, which I alluded to earlier this offseason.
But, Wisconsin is losing another player that consumed a number of snaps the last few seasons.
