Wisconsin Badgers helmet during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
MADISON, WI (WSAU) – Less than a day after Will Pauling and C.J. Williams announced that they had entered the NCAA transfer portal, the Badgers earned a commitment from one of the top receivers on the market.
According to 247 Sports Evan Flood, former Ohio State wide receiver and top 50 recruit in the 2021 class Jayden Ballard has committed to the Badgers with one year of eligibility remaining.
Ballard only had 11 receptions for 177 yards over his three seasons at Ohio State, owing to the depth of the Buckeyes’ receiver room, which included current NFL stars Garrett Wilson (Jets), Chris Olave (Saints), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Seahawks), and Marvin Harrison Jr. (Cardinals), as well as future top draft picks in All-American Emeka Egbuka and superstar freshman Jeremiah Smith.
Ballard is slated to be the Badgers’ primary receiving option in 2025, alongside Vinny Anthony, redshirt freshman Trech Kekahuna, Quincy Burroughs, and true freshman Eugene Hilton Jr.
He is the tenth player to commit to the program, joining Tulane defensive lineman Parker Petersen, Ball State tight end Tanner Koziol, Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., and Richmond safety Matthew Traynor. Prior to Ballard’s commitment, the program’s class ranked seventh in 247Sports’ team transfer portal class rankings.
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