Wisconsin safety Preston Zachman is planning to enter the NCAA transfer portal, according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett.
The veteran safety recently wrapped up his sixth season with the Badgers. He originally joined the program as a three-star recruit in the class of 2020, ranked specifically as the No. 1,310 overall player and No. 90 outside linebacker in the class.
Zachman redshirted in 2020, then did not see any game action in 2021. He would emerge as a key contributor for the 2022 defense, totaling 11 tackles and an interception in six games before suffering a season-ending injury. Zachman then stayed with the program after Luke Fickell arrived at the end of the 2022 campaign. His 2023 and 2024 seasons became his best as a Badger, as he appeared in 25 total games, starting 17, and totaled 107 tackles, 3 1/2 for loss, four interceptions and seven pass deflections.
The veteran safety appeared in line for a big 2025 season, especially after a two-interception performance during the team’s opening win over Miami (Ohio). However, a lower-body injury suffered during the team’s Week 3 loss to Alabama sidelined him for the remainder of the campaign.
He’s now set to seek a new destination for his seventh collegiate season.
Zachman joins a large list of Wisconsin two-deep members set to depart. Notable players on that list are tight end Tucker Ashcraft, running back Dilin Jones, wide receiver Eugene Hilton, wide receiver Trech Kekahuna, wide receiver Joseph Griffin Jr., cornerback Geimere Latimer, linebacker Christian Alliegro, linebacker Tackett Curtis, center Jake Renfro, running back Cade Yacamelli and punter Atticus Bertrams.
Wisconsin will be busy in the portal as it looks to reload its roster entering a pivotal 2026 campaign.
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