Luke Fickell has logged another win on the transfer portal trail as coveted defensive lineman, Brandon Lane, has flipped his commitment from Louisville. Lane is the Badgers’ 16th transfer commitment in the 2024 cycle. He is the eighth defensive transfer and the third on the defensive line. Coincidentally, Lane is not the only Wisconsin FCS transfer on the defensive line as the other two incoming are making the jump.
Lane was 247Sports‘ second-best remaining defensive line transfer.
MAJOR BREAKING: Highly-coveted Stephen F Austin DL transfer BRANDON LANE has committed to Wisconsin #Badgers pic.twitter.com/6y4a6Mlyvi
— Nick Osen (@TheRealNickOsen) May 24, 2024
Wisconsin Lands FCS Transfer Brandon Lane
It’s been a journey for the coveted FCS transfer. Out of high school, Lane was a three-star edge rusher from Kansas City. He held scholarship offers from the top FCS programs as well as a half-dozen Group of 5 teams. He elected to attend South Dakota State.
As a freshman, Lane only appeared in one game and did not record any stats. He was still honored as the Scout Team Player of the Year with the Jackrabbits In 2021, Lane appeared in just three games and contributed a single tackle. Following the 2021 season, Lane transferred out and landed at Stephen F. Austin.
In his first season with the Lumberjacks, Lane participated in seven games. In those seven games, he amassed 11 tackles, two-and-a-half tackles for loss, and a sack. Then, he broke out in 2023. Lane played in all 11 games for SFA and accounted for 44 tackles, six-and-a-half tackles for loss, and one-and-a-half sacks, In the win over Northwestern State, he recovered a fumble.
Lane hopped back into the transfer portal after his breakout and held offers from dozens of Power 4 programs. Initially, he was committed to Michigan State (April 26). Then, he decommitted in a “mutual parting of the ways” (May 2). Lane then committed to Lousiville (May 20) before flipping once more to Washington (May 24).
The coveted FCS transfer brings with him two years of eligibility remaining. He joins a defensive line that needed depth heading into 2024. In a room that lost eight transfers, the Wisconsin FCS transfer was a big win for Fickell and his staff.
