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The Wisconsin Badgers have had an eventful first few days of the 2026 transfer portal cycle. After the portal opened on Friday, Jan. 2, the Badgers have already landed several commitments.
One of those came from Iowa State transfer running back Abu Sama III on Saturday, who ranks as the 11th-best tailback in the portal, according to 247Sports. Sama had a productive junior year in Ames, Iowa, running for 732 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 5.2 yards per carry. Sama was the second option at running back for the Cyclones, but was just as efficient, and some fans even argued he was more explosive.
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After watching some film, it's clear that Sama has a high ceiling, especially if Wisconsin's offensive line improves under new coach Eric Mateos. As seen in the play below, Sama is excellent at reading holes and following tackles for blocks, which can lead to big chunk plays on the ground.
One of Sama's biggest strengths as a runner is his ability to break tackles and gain yards after contact. Sama has generated 85 missed tackles since 2024 per PFF, which ranked 3rd-best among Big 12 running backs. It's clear that establishing the run is a goal for this Badgers' coaching staff, and the addition of Sama will help that goal become a reality in 2026 if everyone stays healthy.
Expect Sama to be the Badgers' first option at running back entering fall camp, with Gideon Ituka and Darrion Dupree also competing for snaps. Overall, Sama is an exciting pickup for Luke Fickell and his staff. He could be the type of player who helps Wisconsin return to its smashmouth traditions.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football transfer portal running back Abu Sama commitment
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