After dropping on the depth chart, Wisconsin’s most experienced running back is rushing out the door.
Former Penn-Trafford running back Cade Yacamelli announced Tuesday he is departing the Badgers after four years and will enter the NCAA transfer portal.
The redshirt junior rushed for 571 yards and two touchdowns and contributed to special teams in three seasons.
But he never rose higher than No. 3 on the depth chart. A concussion slowed Yacamelli’s upward momentum and forced him to miss two games this season, and when he came back for the last two games, he was limited to special teams.
While Yacamelli had a career-high 38 carries in 10 games this season, his overall involvement dipped after he ran for 274 yards on 33 attempts last year.
He redshirted in 2022 and ran for 169 yards in 2023.
He will have one year of eligibility left.
“Thank you to Coach (Luke) Fickell and the entire staff for helping me grow both as a player and as a man during my time at Wisconsin,” Yacamelli posted on X. “I will always be grateful for the memories and the brotherhood I’ve shared with my teammates. I plan to enter the transfer portal on January 2nd as a graduate transfer with one year of eligibility remaining.”
Thank you Wisconsin ❤️
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— Cade Yacamelli (@cyacamelli) December 9, 2025
