Badgers Five-Star Offensive Lineman Enters Transfer Portal

After three seasons with the Wisconsin Badgers, Nolan Rucci is reportedly set to transfer.

The Wisconsin Badgers took a hit on their offensive line on Thursday after 247Sports.com reported that Nolan Rucci had entered the transfer portal.

Rucci played in three games for Wisconsin in 2023, including some playing time in the ReliaQueset Bowl on Jan. 1 after starting left tackle Jack Nelson was injured. He saw time against Georgia Southern and even caught a game-winning touchdown pass against Illinois.

But, less than a week later, Rucci is looking for a new program after three seasons with the Badgers and playing alongside his brother, tight end Hayden Rucci. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.

The 6-foot-8 lineman redshirted in 2021 and played in three games in 2022 and was recruited by Paul Chryst’s coaching staff out of Warwick High School in Lititz, Pa.

At the time he signed with the Badgers, 247 rated him as a five-star player and was a two-time all-state performer. He was also named to USA Today’s 2020 All-USA Preseason First Team.

Now that the Badgers’ season is complete, coach Luke Fickell and his staff are turning their attention to the transfer portal to collect more personnel for his second season at the helm.

On Thursday, the Badgers got a commitment from former Arkansas and Cincinnati linebacker Jaheim Thomas. He played for Fickell at Cincinnati for three seasons.

Thomas is the 10th player to commit to transferring to the Badgers for the 2024 season, per 247. The list includes Oklahoma running back Tawee Walker, North Carolina linebacker Sebastian Cheeks, Northern Iowa linebacker Jahsian Galvin, Michigan State wide receiver Tyrell Henry, LSU tight end Jackson McGowan, Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, William & Mary edge rusher John Pius, Cincinnati long snapper Cayson Pfeiffer and Syracuse linebacker Leon Lowry.

Ingold is also the Dolphins’ Walter Payton Man of the Year Award nominee.

Wisconsin was one of three Big Ten teams with multiple selections along with Iowa and Ohio State. The Hawkeyes led with three selections.