Badgers land former Bowling Green TE in transfer portal

The Wisconsin Badgers bolstered their tight end with addition 6-foot-4, 255-pound Jacob Harris, a transfer from Bowling Green who took an official visit Saturday after spending the last three seasons with the Falcons. Harris sat out his true freshman season and arrives at Wisconsin with two years of eligibility remaining.

Harris enjoyed his most productive season in 2025, catching 19 passes for 182 yards and five touchdowns. His five touchdowns led all Mid-American Conference tight ends last year. He played primarily as Bowling Green’s secondary tight end behind Jirin Johnson in a tight end-friendly offense. Harris also had a season-high 46 receiving yards and one touchdown in a loss to Louisville on Sept. 20. In the past two years, he recorded 21 receptions for the Falcons.

In addition to his receiving skills, Harris has also impressed as a blocker. Pro Football Focus graded him 61.6 as a run blocker and 60.4 as a pass blocker, higher than any returning Badgers tight end last season. His experience as a former high school player also allowed him to be effective in the open space, providing versatility in both blocking and passing situations.

Wisconsin’s tight end position has changed with the departures of Lance Mason, who led the team in receiving yards (398) and touchdowns (four) before becoming eligible, and Tucker Ashcraft, who entered the transfer portal. Rising redshirt sophomore Grant Stec and rising junior Jackson McGohan are the other experienced returning players at the position, with Stec on the ground for 200 carries and hauling in five passes for 52 yards, while McGohan caught three passes for 35 yards. Harris will likely compete for significant snaps right away, especially in the red zone and tight end situations where his blocking and scoring abilities can be utilized.

Harris joins Iowa State transfer Carson Van Dinter, a Wisconsin native, who went to the Badgers’ safety room earlier in the weekend, giving Wisconsin its second touchdown in as many days. The Badgers have also scheduled visits with additional tight ends as they continue to add experienced, perennial tight ends to their roster.

Head coach Luke Fickell and offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes hope Harris can provide a high-end option in the passing game while bolstering Wisconsin’s power-based offensive schemes. His combination of size, blocking skills and productivity in the red zone make him a low-risk, potentially impactful addition to the Badgers’ tight end heading into the 2026 season.