One of the most disappointing developments of the offseason was how things unfolded with tight end Tanner Koziol. After signing with the Wisconsin football team in the winter and participating in spring practice, Koziol abruptly decided Madison wasn’t the right fit and chose to move on.
He ultimately landed at Houston, leaving head coach Luke Fickell and his staff with the task of finding a replacement. Fortunately, it didn’t take long. On Friday evening, news broke that Missouri State transfer Lance Mason has committed to the Badgers. The skilled tight end brings one year of eligibility with him.
Missouri State tight end Lance Mason has officially committed to Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin Badgers — a big pickup for the program, especially this late in the offseason. And make no mistake, Fickell didn’t just grab any available name to fill the gap left by Tanner Koziol. Mason is a legit talent and should be a reliable target for new starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr.
Mason turned heads last season with 590 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He’s more than just a pass-catcher, too — his blocking ability and physical style of play make him a true dual-threat at the position, the kind of guy who thrives in tough spots and isn’t afraid to do the dirty work.
Following some key transfer losses this spring, Fickell made it clear he wants players who are fully bought in and committed to the grind — comments that felt like a subtle message toward Koziol, now aiming to make noise at Houston.
Mason, meanwhile, had interest from the likes of Cal and Oklahoma, but ultimately chose to bet on what Wisconsin is building. He’s got just one year of eligibility left, but he’ll look to make it count in a big way during the 2025 season.
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