2026 Player Projections: Can Jacob Harris Claim the TE1 Spot?
The Bowling Green transfer brings elite red-zone efficiency, but a fierce camp battle awaits in Nate Letton's tight end room.
Welcome to our annual Ceilings and Floors series at The Badger Backer, where we map out the statistical spectrum for Wisconsin’s key contributors ahead of the 2026 season. For every player, we look at the absolute best-case scenario if everything clicks, followed by the baseline floor if the transition hits a rocky patch.
When offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes and tight ends coach Nate Letton went looking for reinforcements in the transfer portal this winter, they weren’t just looking for depth—they were looking for physical identity.
They found a massive piece of the puzzle in Jacob Harris.
The Westerville, Ohio, native makes the jump from the MAC to the Big Ten with two years of eligibility remaining. Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing a bruising 270 pounds, Harris immediately provides a physically imposing target for quarterback Colton Joseph.
Last season at Bowling Green, Harris’ raw volume was modest: 19 catches for 182 yards. However, his efficiency was spectacular. Harris caught 19 of his 28 targets (a 67.9% catch rate) and hauled in five touchdowns. He was an absolute nightmare in the red zone, using his massive frame to shield defenders and display exceptionally fluid movement for a player of his size.
With Lance Mason departing after leading the Badgers with 398 receiving yards in 2025, and Tucker Ashcraft transferring out of the program, the tight end room is completely reset.
However, the starting job won’t simply be handed to Harris. He is locked in a fierce battle with redshirt sophomore Grant Stec, a former four-star prospect entering his third year who started five games last fall. Meanwhile, Southern Illinois FCS transfer Ryan Schwendeman is in the mix as a primary blocking option, adding heavy competition to the rotation.
The Badger Backer 2026 Projections Series
Mapping out the statistical spectrum for Wisconsin’s key contributors ahead of the 2026 season. Catch up on the rest of our 2026 player projections below:
