Wisconsin Badgers Linebacker Enters Transfer Portal After Losing Starting Role

Wisconsin Badgers Linebacker Tackett Curtis Enters Transfer Portal After Losing Starting Role

Wisconsin linebacker Tackett Curtis has entered the NCAA transfer portal. The junior made the announcement on Tuesday, December 10. This move comes after he lost his starting job midway through the 2025 season.

Curtis was initially poised to start alongside Christian Alliegro this year. His departure clears a path for freshman standout Mason Posa to lead the linebacker corps moving forward.

Tackett Curtis transfer portal

A Season of Change for the Badgers Defense

Curtis appeared in seven games with seven starts this season. He recorded 29 total tackles, one sack, and one pass breakup. According to Pro Football Focus analytics, he graded well in run defense.

His playing time decreased significantly after Week 6. True freshman Mason Posa took over the starting role and excelled. The coaching staff never moved back to Curtis as the starter, signaling a shift in defensive planning.

What Curtis’s Departure Means for Wisconsin

This transfer solidifies Mason Posa’s position as a cornerstone of the defense. Posa will now partner with Christian Alliegro as the definitive starting inside linebackers in 2026. This assumes both players remain with the program through the current portal window.

The move also accelerates the development timeline for other young players. True freshman Cooper Catalano is expected to see an increased rotational role. The long-term plan likely features Catalano eventually replacing Alliegro to play alongside Posa.

Tackett Curtis’s entry into the transfer portal marks another significant roster change for Wisconsin. It underscores the program’s rapid youth movement on defense under this coaching staff. The Badgers are now fully committed to their new core of linebackers for the future.

Thought you’d like to know

Who is replacing Tackett Curtis at linebacker?

True freshman Mason Posa replaced him during the 2025 season. Posa is now the clear starter moving forward alongside veteran Christian Alliegro.

How did Tackett Curtis perform this season?

He started seven games and made 29 tackles. His performance was solid against the run, but he lost his job to a more dynamic freshman.

Where did Tackett Curtis play before Wisconsin?

Curtis began his college career at USC. He was a four-star recruit and started eight games as a true freshman for the Trojans in 2023.

What is Tackett Curtis’s eligibility status?

He has one year of remaining eligibility. He will use it at his next program after entering the portal as a graduate transfer.

Who benefits most from this transfer?

Mason Posa benefits immediately by securing the starting job. Young reserve Cooper Catalano also gains a clearer path to future playing time.