The blows keep coming for the Wisconsin Badgers, as starting running back Dilin Jones is entering the transfer portal, according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett.
Jones, a redshirt freshman in 2025, starred during
the offseason for Wisconsin, taking over the starting running back role in an open competition with Darrion Dupree and Cade Yacamelli. However, he had a slow start to the season behind a struggling offensive line, as Wisconsin’s run game failed to take off.
As a result, Jones never topped his season-opening performance, where he rushed for 73 yards on 14 carries against Miami (OH). He finished the season with 300 yards and two touchdowns on 76 carries before having season-ending surgery for a toe injury.
Still, there was much to like from Jones’s offseason that gave optimism for a stronger season in 2026 with changes coming on the offensive line from both a personnel and coaching standpoint.
Now, Wisconsin is losing its top running back to the transfer portal, marking yet another young loss for the team. The Badgers have now lost core offensive players Trech Kekahuna, Eugene Hilton, and Jones to the transfer portal this offseason, despite expecting a bigger financial investment in next year’s roster.
Wisconsin currently projects to return Darrion Dupree and Gideon Ituka in the running back room. Those are the only scholarship returnees, with Qwantavius Wiggins being the lone commit at the position in the 2026 class.
