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MADISON – Since the transfer portal opened Jan. 2, more than a dozen new players have committed to play for the Wisconsin football team next season.
Late Jan. 6, Badger Nation was served a reminder that more portal losses could be in the cards, too.
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Starting left guard Joe Brunner has entered the transfer portal, according to reports from ESPN, On3 and 247sports. He has one year of eligibility remaining.
Brunner is the 21st Badgers player to hit the portal. His departure hurts on a multiple levels.
Not only was the 6-foot-5, 317-pound two-year starter one of the Badgers’ best and most experienced players, but he was also one of their leaders. He is also a native of Whitefish Bay, making him the first in-state player who was a key contributor to enter the portal.
The transfer portal window closes Jan. 16.
More: Wisconsin football transfer portal tracker: Help for offensive line, secondary comes on Day 5
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Brunner, who redshirted in 2022, was asked about his future after he participated in Senior Day before UW’s final home game this season. He said that moment was more about going through the ceremony with the players he came into the program with rather than an indication of his future plans.
“As a kid growing up in Wisconsin, being able to run out of that tunnel in front of these fans with the guys that you love, that you come and shed blood, sweat, and tears with, it's special,” he said.
During that interview, Brunner said he had not put any thought into what would happen in the offseason.
Since then, the Badgers have changed offensive line coaches. A.J Blazek’s contract was not renewed and Eric Mateos, formerly of Arkansas, was hired.
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Brunner’s departure would mark a changing of the guard for the UW offensive line.
Center Jake Renfro announced he would pursue a medical redshirt for the 2025 season and committed to Illinois. Left tackle Riley Mahlman completed his eligibility and is preparing for the NFL draft.
Those three players were the veterans of an offensive line room this season that was filled with young and/or inexperienced players.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin Badgers Joe Brunner reportedly entered transfer portal
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