Wisconsin football lands Illinois State transfer DL Jake Anderson
Former Illinois State defensive lineman Jake Anderson has committed to the Wisconsin Badgers through the transfer portal.
The Wisconsin football program’s coaching staff has added a productive FCS transfer portal defensive lineman to its roster.
Illinois State defensive lineman Jake Anderson announced his commitment to the Badgers, giving Wisconsin an experienced, productive body up front as it continues rebuilding the defensive line for 2026.
“First and foremost, I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to play the game I love,” Anderson wrote.
“I want to thank my family and friends who have been my incredible support system and make what I do possible. I would like to thank the ISU staff, especially Coach Black, Coach Spack, Coach Nicholson, and Coach Niekamp, for turning me into not just the player but the man I am today.
“To my teammates, you guys are my brothers, and I wouldn’t trade the experiences or bonds I’ve made over the last 4 years for anything. To the ISU fan base, you all made a small-town kid feel wanted and comfortable in a new place and helped me to thrive by showing up every Saturday. I’m proud to be a Redbird, and Normal will always feel like home to me.
“With that being said, I am proud to announce that I will be spending my last year of eligibility at the University of Wisconsin.”
Standing at 6-foot-5, 295 pounds, Anderson hails from Davis (IL.) and played his high school football at Durand High School before developing into a cornerstone piece of Illinois State’s defensive front.
Let’s start with this past season’s production, because it explains why Wisconsin made the call.
In 2025, Anderson appeared in all 17 games and started every one of them for the Redbirds, playing a prominent role in Illinois State’s run to the FCS National Championship Game. He finished the season with 52 total tackles, 19 pressures, 7.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks.
According to Pro Football Focus, Anderson posted a 74.1 overall defensive grade, including a 74.2 mark as a run defender and a 64.7 pass-rushing grade across 676 defensive snaps.
That production earned Anderson an All-Missouri Valley Conference honorable mention recognition in 2025. More importantly, it reflected a player Illinois State’s staff trusted to stay on the field, hold up physically, and anchor the edge of a defensive line over a long season.
Taken as a whole, the body of work tells you more.
Across 42 career games at Illinois State, Anderson totaled 145 tackles, 19.0 tackles for loss, 55 pressures, 7.0 sacks, one interception, three pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. He logged 1,780 career defensive snaps, giving Wisconsin coaches a defender with a lot of meaningful experience and production rather than a full-on project.
That experience fits the current needs of the room.
Wisconsin is restocking its defensive line after losing Jay’Viar Suggs, Ben Barten, Brandon Lane, and Parker Petersen, forcing the staff to add some playable depth through the portal. The Badgers are bringing back Dillan Johnson, Charles Perkins, and Nolan Vils, while also adding Buffalo transfer Junior Poyser and West Virginia transfer Hammond Russell IV.
Anderson now joins that group as another rotational option with size, strength, and an understanding of what it takes to win football games.
Defensive line coach E.J. Whitlow has made it clear he wants to rotate consistently and keep players fresh over four quarters. Anderson fits that approach. He’s not being brought in to be a star. He’s being brought in to compete for snaps, help raise the floor of the room, and give Wisconsin another reliable option who understands how to play within a rotation.
This is a practical addition.
Anderson gives Wisconsin a physically mature defensive lineman who has played meaningful football, held up against heavy workloads, and produced consistently at the FCS level. As the Badgers continue shaping their defensive front, this move reflects a clear offseason theme: build depth, promote competition, and let performance sort out roles once the pads come on.
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