Wisconsin DL James Thompson enters NCAA transfer portal

Wisconsin defensive lineman James Thompson has entered the NCAA transfer portal, On3 has learned.

Thompson did not play for the Badgers in 2024 after having surgery to repair an upper body injury. He was a two-year starter for Wisconsin and played in all 39 possible games for the program across three seasons.

He redshirted as a true freshman before seeing time in each game the following year. He made seven starts as a redshirt sophomore and 11 as a junior. On the field, the Cincinnati-native logged 58 total tackles and 5.0 sacks.

After being granted a medical redshirt for the 2025 season, he’ll look to make his impact on another program for his final season of eligiblity.

Before college, Thompson was a three-star recruit in the 2020 class, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, which is a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services. He was the No. 1,325 recruit in his class and No. 109 EDGE rusher.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

Wisconsin WR Trech Kekahuna also entering NCAA Transfer Portal

Wisconsin wideout Trech Kekahuna is entering the NCAA Transfer Portal, according to ESPN. He will have three years of eligibility remaining.

Kekahuna caught 25 passes for 339 yards and two touchdowns this season for Wisconsin, his second in Madison. Kekahuna played in five games in 2023, including the bowl, meaning he could still redshirt as bowl games no longer count toward the four-game limit.

Kekahuna had four receptions during his true freshman campaign in 2023.

Wisconsin’s offense struggled during both of Kekahuna’s years there, as issues with overhauling the scheme and, predominantly, quarterback injuries hamstrung the Badgers.

On3’s Andrew Graham contributed to this report.