What to know about Wisconsin football transfer portal pickup Liam Danitz from Hope College
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MADISON – The pace of commitments has slowed down for the Wisconsin football team, but it is still adding pieces for the 2026 season.
On Jan. 15 247sports reported the Badgers‘ 28th committment of this transfer portal cycle: Liam Danitz, an outside linebacker from Division III Hope College, He is the first UW commit this cycle that didn’t come from the Division I ranks.
Wisconsin has had success identifying players from lower levels of college ball who can make the transition to the Big Ten. In 2023 they grabbed cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean from Division II Grand Valley State and scored safety Matt Jung from Division III Bethel last year.
Here is what you need to know about the latest addition to the Wisconsin defense.
How many tackles did Liam Danitz have this season?
Danitz received first-team All-American distinction from the American Football Coaches Association after registering 46 tackles this season that included 25 solo stops, 21 tackles for a loss and 15 sacks. Hope (9-2) lost to UW-La Crosse in the first round of the playoffs.
He has 98 tackles, 39.5 tackles for a loss and 27 sacks for his career.
What are Liam Danitz’s height and weight?
Danitz is listed as 6-foot-5 and 227 pounds on the Hope roster.
How many years of eligibility does Liam Danitz have left?
Danitz has one season of eligibility remaining.
Which programs recruited Liam Danitz?
Danitz was not rated by Rivals and 247sports coming out of Ogemaw Heights High School in West Branch, Mich. Rivals listed him as a three-star prospect in the transfer portal. 247sports didn’t rate him as a transfer.
In addition to Wisconsin, he announced offers on X from Cal, James Madison; Louisiana Tech, Mississippi, Missouri, Toledo, UCLA, Utah, West Virginia and Western Kentucky.
How can Liam Danitz help the Wisconsin Badgers?
It helps to be a great athlete as a pass rusher and Danitz checks that box. As a track and field athlete at Hope he has run the 100 meters in 10.55 seconds and the 200 in 20.92, impressive times for someone Danitz’s size. Combine that athleticism with his production, and the Badgers were able to add an intriguing player at a position where there is a lot ready good depth. This is another low risk addition that could provide a big pay off.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Hope College’s Liam Danitz commits to Luke Fickell, Wisconsin football
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