Former Wisconsin Badgers OL Commits To Big Ten Rival

It was a quick turnaround for Nolan Rucci to find a new home for hte 2024 football season.

It did not take long for former Wisconsin Badgers offensive lineman Nolan Rucci to find a landing spot in the transfer portal.

Just two days after it was reported he was in the portal he announced on social media that he would transfer to Big Ten rival Penn State.

That means that Rucci will make a return visit to Camp Randall Stadium on Oct. 26 next season. That’s when the Nittany Lions are scheduled to visit the Badgers.

Rucci is one of 11 players that the Badgers have lost to the transfer portal.

The decision ends three seasons with the Badgers for Rucci, whose older brother, tight end Hayden Rucci, also played for Wisconsin.

At the time he joined the program as part of the Class of 2021 under then-coach Paul Chryst, he was considered a five-star player out of Warwick High School in Lititz, Pa.

But he never got traction as a starter. The 6-foot-8 offensive lineman redshirted in 2021 and then played in three games in 2022. Last season he played in a handful of games, including significant action in the ReliaQuest Bowl on New Year’s Day after starting left tackle Jack Nelson suffered an injury.

Rucci also managed to catch the game-winning touchdown pass against Illinois, in what might have been the most impactful play of his Wisconsin career.

He now goes to the Nittany Lions with two years of eligibility remaining.

The other 10 players in the portal for the Badgers are linebacker Kaden Johnson, quarterback Myles Burkett, wide receivers Chimere Dike and Skyler Bell, center Dylan Barrett, defensive ends Rodas Johnson and Darian Varner, and linebackers Jordan Turner and Jordan Mayer.

Barrett reportedly committed to Iowa State on Saturday.

Meanwhile, 10 players have committed to join the Badgers in 2024, including linebackers Jaheim Thomas (Arkansas), Leon Lowery (Syracuse), Jahsian Galvin (Northern Iowa), Sebastian Cheeks (North Carolina) and John Pius (William & Mary), along with running back Tawee Walker (Oklahoma), Tyrell Henry (Michigan State), Jackson McGowan (LSU), quarterback Tyler Van Dyke (Miami FL)) and long snapper Cayson Pfeiffer (Cincinnati).