MADISON – The second tight end the Wisconsin football team added during this transfer portal cycle comes with some in-house intel.
Blake Rolan, the Badgers receivers coach, was the offensive coordinator at Southern Illinois during Ryan Schwedeman’s first three seasons there.
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Schwedeman signed with Wisconsin on Sunday Jan. 4, his agent told 247sports. His addition comes one day after former Bowling Green tight end Jacob Harris announced his commitment to UW.
Schwedeman caught 15 passes for 191 yards, a 12.7-yard average, and two touchdowns in nine games. His career numbers are 28 catches, 327 yards and four touchdowns. He averages 11.7 yards per catch.
Schwendeman, who is from O’Fallon, Missouri, redshirted as a true freshman in 2022 and played in just four games in 2024 before suffering a season-ending injury. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
The addition of Schwendeman brings added depth to the Badgers’ tight end room. Rising redshirt sophomore Grant Stec started five games last season and played 200 snaps. No other returning player at the position saw the field for more than 30 plays.
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This marks the second straight season UW turned to the FCS ranks for help at tight end. Lance Mason joined the Badgers last season after a standout career at Missouri State and led the team in receiving yards (398) and touchdown receptions (four) while ranking second in catches (30).
More: Wisconsin football transfer portal tracker: QB Colton Joseph joins program
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Former Southern Illinois TE Ryan Schwendeman commits to Wisconsin
