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As a member of Wisconsin’s 2020 recruiting class, Preston Zachman was one of the Badgers’ longest tenured players.
For the 2026 season, he seeks a change of scenery.
The veteran safety, who missed most of the season due to a leg injury, will enter the transfer for his final season of eligibility. On3 reported the news and Zachman reposted it on his X and Instagram accounts.
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Zachman, who is 6-foot-1, 212 pounds, suffered the injury against Alabama on Sept. 13. After that he could be seen on the sideline during games wearing a walking book on his left leg.
Prior to the injury, Zachman was a vital piece of the Badgers' defense.
He finished this season with 12 tackles, nine solos, and tied for the team high with two interceptions. Both of those turnovers came in the second half of the season opener against Miami (Ohio) and helped UW close out a 17-0 victory.
He started 20 games for UW and played 35 overall.
“He was the leader of the defense,” Badgers coach Luke Fickell said Nov. 3. “He was making most of the calls and was just that corner piece.
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"It's been one of those things we've had to be able to overcome and had to spread out some of that (responsibility) the last seven weeks.”
News of Zachman’s departure came three days before the transfer portal opens. The Badgers might seek help at safety to offset the lost of Zachman as well as starter Austin Brown, who completed his eligibility.
Matt Jung, a rising senior, is expected to return. Matt Traynor, who was the third safety following Zachman's injury, is recovering from an ACL injury he suffered against Ohio State Oct. 18.
More: Wisconsin football transfer portal tracker: QB Billy Edwards will make his comeback elsewhere
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin veteran safety Preston Zachman will enter transfer portal
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