MADISON, Wis. — Outside linebacker Leon Lowery’s transfer portal saga last December involved one of the strangest Wisconsin football commitments in recent program history. He pledged to the Badgers after visiting campus on a Sunday, decommitted that Monday, briefly hired two NIL agents to handle his recruitment, fired those NIL agents the next day and reaffirmed his commitment to Wisconsin on Thursday.
As it turned out, that was the most memorable part of Lowery’s time at Wisconsin. He finished the season with 29 tackles, one sack and four quarterback hurries. He announced Sunday his intention to again enter the transfer portal, which opens Dec. 9. Lowery will have one season of eligibility remaining.
I’ll be planning to enter the transfer portal with 1 year of eligibility left. Thank you wisconsin for everything.
— Leon Lowery Jr (@leonlowery5) December 1, 2024
Lowery previously spent four seasons at Syracuse, which included a redshirt year during the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign. He started 12 games for the Orange in 2023 when he tallied 46 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. But that production didn’t translate at Wisconsin. He went from playing 523 snaps at Syracuse to 372 snaps at Wisconsin, according to Pro Football Focus, though he did start 11 of 12 games for the Badgers.
Lowery spoke to The Athletic on Sunday after his transfer announcement about why he decided to move on and about his one season at Wisconsin.
Why did you decide to transfer?
It’s nothing bad about the program or anything. It’s just that they’re choosing on going in a different direction of how they want to run the defense. I just feel like it doesn’t fit my style of play. We had some conversations and decided that it would probably be best for me to enter the portal because obviously I want to do what’s best for me with my one year left. So nothing bad about the Wisconsin staff. They’re all good people there. They all know what they’re doing. It was just a scheme thing. I just decided to choose a different direction.
What exactly didn’t fit you here? Did they not want the same type of edge rushers?
It was more putting my hand in the dirt. I didn’t really want to do that. Schematically, it wouldn’t be best for me. So I just decided I would see what else is out there for me.
Were they talking about using you the way they did outside linebacker Darryl Peterson this season?
Kind of like that.
Was transferring something you were thinking about doing during the season?
It wasn’t something I was thinking about during the season. I had some exit meetings with some coaches and talked to them about some things. It was something that just came up. I was actually planning on staying. But stuff happens. It’s a business. You’ve just got to be able to adjust and adapt. They’re all good coaches there. Nothing personal against those guys. Just something that I feel like will be in my best interest to do.
Which coaches did you talk to from Wisconsin?
My position coach. Coach (Matt) Mitchell.
What was his message to you? Did it sound like Wisconsin wanted you to stay?
They wanted me to stay. They loved having me here. I just felt like the path that they were choosing just didn’t fit me, so I just decided it would be best for me to look and see what else is out there for me.
How would you describe what this season was like for you?
It was fun. I loved being coached by my position coach. I had good times, built great bonds and relationships that I’ll have for a lifetime. I loved the program. I was planning on staying. I like it here. But sometimes stuff happens and you’ve got to be able to move on and adapt.
What are your impressions of the direction Wisconsin’s program is headed under Luke Fickell?
I feel like they’re in good hands with coach Fick. He has a vision for the program. He has a good plan set. Just sometimes things don’t fit well for you. Being that I had one year of eligibility left, I just wanted to have the best options for me.
What are you looking for in your next school?
I liked how we were playing the original defense. I like standing up, being on the edge. Something I’ve been doing my whole football career since I’ve been playing outside backer. So I’m looking for something like that.
Why did they think you’d be a good fit for a hand-on-the-ground type of guy?
I really couldn’t tell you. It’s just something I guess coach Fick wants to go in that direction.
What do you think you can provide to your next school?
Experience. I’m a student of the game, very intelligent. I understand things, formations. I give effort, attitude. I can be an all-around player. I have confidence in myself and am humble and hopefully I land in the right spot.
I know your portal process at this time a year ago was very unusual. Do you feel like you learned something from that situation as you enter again?
I most definitely did. Just trust in God and trust in my gut. Take as many visits as I can to get a feel for places. Just looking for the next step and keep my faith in God and see what’s next for me.
Reporters had a chance to watch spring practices and the first few weeks of preseason camp. You had some great practices. Did this season meet your expectations in terms of what you thought you’d provide?
Nah, I don’t feel like it did. But you live and you learn. Go on and get better. No, I don’t feel like it met my expectations. I’ve just got to do what’s best for me.
Do you put that on the way you were used or it wasn’t the right fit at Wisconsin?
A little bit of both. But it’s nothing personal against the coaches. Just the way the cookie crumbles. You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.
What’s your plan here? Are you finishing school in Madison?
I’m still in Madison right now. I’m going to finish out the semester, which is almost over. So I’ll do that and then go from there.
How will you remember your year at Wisconsin?
The bonds I made with my dudes and my position group, John Pius, being my roommate. Darryl Peterson and Aaron Witt, those guys. Coach Mitch is a great coach. I’ll most definitely remember those bonds. I’m going to miss these guys, but you’ve got to do what’s best for you.
( Photo: Mark Hoffman / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
