From Small-Town Hero to Badger Hope: ‘Ice’ Emery’s Rise
After starring at Neenah High School and a winding college journey through Merrimack, Dodge City Community College, Western Carolina and Cleveland State, guard Chevalier “Ice” Emery has caught Wisconsin’s eye in the transfer portal. Emery averaged 12.7 points per game off the bench in the Horizon League, hitting 38.2 percent from three and showing a knack for tough finishes and driving to the rim. With six scholarship spots open, Greg Gard hopes Emery’s shooting and scoring versatility can be the next mid-major success story in Madison.
Finally, a transfer who doesn’t require the Badgers to send a search party to find him. Emery’s been collecting college experiences like stamps in a passport—some more glamorous than others—but now he’s portfolio material for Madison’s “we make unknowns famous” program. Gard’s coaching staff must be thrilled, because where else can you get a Sixth Man of the Year who’s as good at spotting campus pizza joints as he is at draining triples? Here’s hoping Ice isn’t too slippery on the court—or the icy sidewalks that he’ll undoubtedly bring to Madison.
Madison’s Next NFL Stars: RB, Safety, and Corner in Waiting
Wisconsin’s pro pipeline is on thin ice. After a disappointing season and a potential low-draft class, Badgers On SI identifies three rising seniors poised to defy the odds in 2027: tailback Abu Sama, the rugged transfer from Iowa State who totaled nearly 2,000 rushing yards; safety Marvin Burks Jr., an instinctive playmaker from Missouri with SEC starting experience; and cornerback Bryce West, a former Ohio State recruit whose coverage skills and physicality could earn him snaps on draft boards. All three offer hope to a program craving NFL relevance.
Nothing says “Gridiron redemption arc” like scouting ex-Cyclones, Tigers and Buckeyes, then sticking them in Wisconsin uniforms. It’s like trading in your old car for a minivan, but then finding out it’s actually a tricked-out monster truck. Sama’s boulder-rolling running style, Burks’s Sixth Sense for defensive playmaking, and West’s “size doesn’t matter” swagger could transform Camp Randall into a welcoming NFL farm system. Buckle up, Wisconsin—I’d buy an action figure of one of these guys if they let me.
Badgers Drop Three Golden Tickets at Spring Practice
During a bustling Saturday session in Madison, Wisconsin extended offers to three 2028 high school standouts: running back Jayden Garrett from Wilmette, Illinois, an early top-100 recruit with nine power-conference bids; Cincinnati’s interior lineman Jace Montgomery, son of NFL and Packers coach Jerry Montgomery, balancing a family legacy; and St. Louis tackle Darrius Smiley, a four-star prospect connected through his coach-turned-Badger Chris Brooks Jr. The Badgers, coming off strong 2027 recruiting, are already looking ahead to land the next wave of talent.
Offering scholarships like Oprah handing out cars, Wisconsin coaches have perfected the “You get a letter! And you get a letter!” routine. Garrett might need a bigger backpack for all those offers, Montgomery’s family reunions now include Badger helmets, and Smiley’s in-state connections give Madison another reason to pop the cheese. If this is spring practice, fall recruiting must feel like Black Friday at the tailgate tent. Hats off to these three—they’re officially Golden Tickets in the chocolate factory of Midwestern football.
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