Pryor’s Persisting Path: From Badgers to Bengals—Again
Kendric Pryor, a former Wisconsin Badger who went undrafted in 2021, has inked a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals, marking his fifth NFL season. After spending most of the past three years on the Bengals’ practice squad, he played in two games in 2024—catching one pass for nine yards and returning kicks for 43 yards. Pryor shined in the preseason as a rookie with 13 catches for 182 yards and a touchdown, but the Bengals’ deep receiver room means he’ll need to excel on special teams to crack the final 53-man roster.
Welcome to the thrilling world of “we almost know your name, maybe.” Pryor’s signing is like renewing a gym membership you never use—committed in principle, optional in practice. Wisconsin’s proud tradition of NFL receivers is about as abundant as cheese in Naples, so every catch—or even productive sideline nap—becomes headline news. Here’s hoping Kendric’s return kicks off more than just another special teams cameo and less “practice squad shuffle” in next year’s autobiography.
Hilary Knight’s Last-Second Milan Miracle
Team USA captain Hilary Knight, at age 36, tied the gold medal hockey final against Canada with 2:04 left, then watched Megan Keller net the overtime winner to seal a 2-1 victory in Milan 2025. Knight became the first U.S. hockey player to appear in five Olympics and is now America’s all-time Olympic scoring leader with 15 goals. Former Badgers Laila Edwards, Britta Curl, Caroline Harvey, Ava McNaughton, and Kirsten Simms earned their first gold, while Harvey earned tournament MVP honors.
Nothing says “glow-up” like pivoting from Mother-of-the-Ice to “Captain America” in one miraculous goal. At 36, Knight’s career trajectory resembles a superhero reboot with better hair and more medals. Meanwhile, everyone else in the U.S. women’s hockey program silently questions whether their real prize is an Olympic ring or just photo-bombing Knight’s highlight reel. Grab your hot cocoa, Milan—the real MVP has arrived once more.
Badgers’ Shadow Army: Portal Finds Unseen Stars
Wisconsin’s winter transfer haul of over 30 additions included two under-the-radar standouts: defensive tackle Jake Anderson (Illinois State) and cornerback Javan Robinson (Arizona State). Anderson, a 6’5”, 295-pound FCS ironman with 41 starts, brings stout run defense. Robinson, with over 1,600 snaps at ASU, offers seasoned coverage skills and physical play against the run. College football insiders call both potential steals, though questions remain about how each will adjust to Big Ten competition.
Ah, the secret sauce of the transfer portal—vague rumors, hushed “he’s probably good” whispers, and that one guy who swears he saw them on YouTube. Wisconsin’s new stealth recruits are the collegiate equivalent of garage-sale treasures: “I have no idea what this thing does, but it looks promising!” Now we just wait for the inevitable highlight reel that either confirms a legend or prompts endless “should’ve had him scout Little League” tweets.
Badgers Courting Wisconsin’s Rushing Royalty
Wisconsin extended an official summer visit to in-state standout running back Kingston Allen, who shattered state records for rushing yards and touchdowns during his junior season at Notre Dame Academy (Green Bay). The Badgers offered in November and hosted him for a junior day visit. Though unranked by Rivals and ESPN, Allen sits as a Top 25 RB nationally and Top 5 player in Wisconsin per 247Sports, with interest also from Northwestern and smaller programs.
Behold the in-state pageant where powerhouse programs juggle cheese curds and campus tours to seduce local stars. Wisconsin’s recruiters have officially RSVP’d to Allen’s summer agenda—complete with dairy farm visits and “you’ll love our 30-degree January mornings.” Because nothing says “Home Field Advantage” like voluntary frostbite and cheese-scented pep rallies. Fingers crossed Allen remembers us when he sips root beer float in the visitor’s locker room.
Herb, Hockey and History: Johnson’s ’80 Miracle Mapped Out
Mark Johnson revisits how a blend of intense conditioning, Herb Brooks’ hybrid European–American system, a humiliating 10–3 loss to the Soviets at Madison Square Garden, and precise in-game instincts led to the U.S. hockey team’s “Miracle on Ice” gold in 1980. Johnson reflects on key moments: skating drill punishments, a rebound goal that tied the first period, Viktor Tikhonov pulling star goalie Tretiak, the final minute’s chaos, and a postgame handshake with Soviet stars in the doping room.
If life were a Netflix series, nobody would believe episode 5: “Miracle on Ice meets Russian letter of apology.” Johnson’s tale is proof that if you train like a gladiator, skate like a gazelle, and occasionally outwit world-class goaltenders, you get to rename your family dog “Miracle.” Also, apparently the best place for friendship is the doping room—renaissance of international camaraderie never looked so… antiseptic.
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