Badgers Land Missouri Safety Gem

Wisconsin Badgers' transfer portal efforts have yielded a significant defensive reinforcement with the addition of safety Marvin Burks Jr. from Missouri. Burks Jr. ranked fourth on the Tigers' roster this past season, contributing 49 tackles, including 27 solo stops, and an interception across 13 games. His career statistics show 131 tackles and three interceptions over 39 games, providing a seasoned presence for the Badgers.

The commitment addresses a critical gap in Wisconsin's secondary. With the departures of Austin Brown and Preston Zachman, the team's safety depth was notably thin, with only rising redshirt senior Matt Jung offering significant experience. Burks Jr. is expected to step into a starting role immediately, bolstering a position that lacked clear heir apparents.

Listed at 6-feet and 207 pounds, Burks Jr. has one year of eligibility remaining. He was a four-star prospect out of high school and received a three-star rating in the transfer portal from both Rivals and 247sports. His proven durability, with over 1,150 snaps played in the last two seasons against SEC competition, makes him a valuable acquisition for the Badgers' defense.