Wisconsin Badgers Bolster Safety Depth with Transfer Portal Additions

Veteran leadership and young talent aim to solidify the Badgers' secondary in 2026

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Wisconsin Badgers football team is gearing up for spring practice, and the safety position is a key area of focus. The team has brought in some veteran leadership through the transfer portal, while also relying on a crop of young, talented players to contribute. With a mix of experience and potential, the Badgers are looking to shore up their secondary and build on their success from the previous season.

Why it matters

The safety position is crucial for the Badgers' defense, as they look to maintain their strong performance from the 2025 campaign. The addition of experienced transfers like Marvin Burks, along with the development of promising young players, could be the key to the Badgers' success in the upcoming season.

The details

Wisconsin's projected depth chart at safety features a mix of veteran leadership and promising young talent. Senior Marvin Burks, a transfer from Missouri, brings 39 games of experience over the last three seasons and is expected to be a key contributor. Alongside Burks, senior Matthew Jung, a transfer from Division III Bethel, emerged as a starter in 2025 and will look to build on his strong performance. The Badgers also have a number of young players, including sophomores Grant Dean and Cairo Skanes, who could see increased playing time this season.

  • Wisconsin will begin spring practice next month.
  • Junior Matthew Traynor may not be ready for spring ball after suffering a season-ending injury in 2025.

The players

Marvin Burks

A two-year starter for the Missouri Tigers, Burks brings with him 39 games of experience over the last three seasons. As a junior, Burks tallied 49.0 tackles, an interception, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in 2025.

Matthew Jung

A transfer from Division 3 Bethel, Jung made the jump to the Big Ten and posted 50.0 tackles, including nine at Michigan, as a junior. Jung also played the third-most snaps of anyone on the Badger defense last season.

Grant Dean

A former three-star prospect, Dean did not redshirt and appeared in 11 games, mostly on special teams, as a true freshman. The Neenah native has impressed the coaching staff with his physicality and playmaking ability.

Cairo Skanes

Skanes was nearly in the rotation at cornerback as a true freshman, and the coaching staff's decision to move him to safety suggests they see significant potential in the 6-foot-2, 190-pound sophomore.

Matthew Traynor

The Richmond transfer was not quite ready for the jump to the Big Ten last season, but he did get thrown into the fire and appeared in seven games. Traynor's return from a season-ending injury could provide a boost to the Badgers' safety depth.

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What they’re saying

“Having that role and understanding how to be a leader is something I look forward to doing when I get to Madison.”

— Marvin Burks (on3.com)

“I want the Wisconsin fans to expect a guy who's gonna give it his all every snap. Play relentlessly every, play with effort, and play to win.”

— Marvin Burks (on3.com)

What’s next

The Badgers will be closely monitoring the progress of their young safeties, such as Grant Dean and Cairo Skanes, during spring practice. The team will also be looking for Marvin Burks to emerge as a leader in the secondary and help solidify the defensive backfield.

The takeaway

With the addition of experienced transfers and the development of promising young talent, the Wisconsin Badgers are poised to have a strong safety group in 2026. The team's ability to blend veteran leadership and youthful potential will be crucial to their success in the upcoming season.