Wisconsin football is hosting former Rice tight end Boden Groen on a transfer visit, according to 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz.
Groen is in the portal after three years at Rice. He originally joined the program after beginning his career at Saddleback College (Juco) in California. The 6-foot-4 tight end played in 29 games over three seasons with the Owls (2022-24), totaling 60 receptions, 556 yards and three touchdowns. His best season came as a sophomore in 2023: 39 catches, 383 receiving yards and three scores.
247Sports has yet to assign the veteran a star rating or an overall transfer ranking. His reported visit to Wisconsin follows early interest from Michigan State, Duke, Houston, Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh and others, according to Rivals.
Wisconsin is still searching for a transfer replacement for projected starting tight end Tanner Koziol, who spent just four months with the program before reentering the portal and signing with Houston. Groen has proven production at the Football Bowl Subdivision level, specifically from that 2023 season. He was unable to repeat that strong performance this past season as injuries plagued his campaign.
News of the former Rice Owl’s visit follows the Badgers reportedly hosting Missouri State transfer tight end Lance Mason on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. Wisconsin is reportedly contending with Cal and Oklahoma for the top Football Championship Subdivision transfer pass-catcher.
Returning junior Tucker Ashcraft currently projects as the Badgers’ starting tight end. He has just 168 total yards in two seasons in a primary role at the position.
For more on the Badgers’ spring transfer movement with the portal set to close in the coming days, bookmark our 2025 spring window tracker.
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